Decorating
Decorating: How to Commission Your Very Own Bespoke Piece of Furniture
It can be a little daunting if you’ve never done it before, but so worth it. Check out these tips for commissioning your first unique piece
Commissioning a piece of furniture to be made especially for you and your home is not altogether the usual thing to do, and it can be a rather formidable task if you’ve never done it before. So that you can decide whether it’s an avenue you might like to explore, let’s look at some of the things to consider when going bespoke.
Don’t be put off by the idea that it’s ‘too expensive’ or that it’s only for ‘creative people’. There’s a range of bespoke furniture designers and makers out there, catering to different budgets, who are keen to listen to your ideas and will help you through the process. So, what’s involved? Here are some pointers that will help you get the most from your piece.
Don’t be put off by the idea that it’s ‘too expensive’ or that it’s only for ‘creative people’. There’s a range of bespoke furniture designers and makers out there, catering to different budgets, who are keen to listen to your ideas and will help you through the process. So, what’s involved? Here are some pointers that will help you get the most from your piece.
Develop your concept
Once you’ve identified the issue and it’s clear where you want the piece to go and what function you would like it to play, the next step is to start thinking about the aesthetics.
Start looking at other examples of bespoke items and pull together a collection of images. Try creating an Ideabook on Houzz, or perhaps your own moodboard of swatches and photographs to create a visual record that you can share with your designer-maker.
Once you’ve identified the issue and it’s clear where you want the piece to go and what function you would like it to play, the next step is to start thinking about the aesthetics.
Start looking at other examples of bespoke items and pull together a collection of images. Try creating an Ideabook on Houzz, or perhaps your own moodboard of swatches and photographs to create a visual record that you can share with your designer-maker.
Understand the construction
Having a rough idea of what it is you want, and how it’s made will help you pinpoint your ideas. From hand-carved pieces to upholstered items, the way something is made will determine its cost and timeframe.
Having an understanding of the item’s construction will help you to dream within your limits and work in the realm of the possible. A little research on the internet will shed light on the issue. Commissioning a bespoke item is a two-way process, and the more you understand about it and are involved in it, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results.
Having a rough idea of what it is you want, and how it’s made will help you pinpoint your ideas. From hand-carved pieces to upholstered items, the way something is made will determine its cost and timeframe.
Having an understanding of the item’s construction will help you to dream within your limits and work in the realm of the possible. A little research on the internet will shed light on the issue. Commissioning a bespoke item is a two-way process, and the more you understand about it and are involved in it, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the results.
Draft up a specification
Once you’ve identified what you want, and you’ve done some preliminary research and know that it’s roughly within your budget, it’s time to get down to the details.
Measure the space, and have a list of your materials, shapes, colours and some inspirational photos at the ready. There are some basic rules of ergonomics (how high a seat should be for it to be comfortable, and so on) to be aware of. For instance, leaving any less than 50cm between items of furniture will make it rather difficult to navigate around them.
Once you’ve identified what you want, and you’ve done some preliminary research and know that it’s roughly within your budget, it’s time to get down to the details.
Measure the space, and have a list of your materials, shapes, colours and some inspirational photos at the ready. There are some basic rules of ergonomics (how high a seat should be for it to be comfortable, and so on) to be aware of. For instance, leaving any less than 50cm between items of furniture will make it rather difficult to navigate around them.
Don’t get carried away
A pitfall into which it’s easy to slide as enthusiasm for the project takes hold is to end up asking for something that’s more complicated than it needs to be.
When you add complexity, you add cost. Not only that, but the project will take longer to complete. If you want to keep costs under control, have a clear brief and stick to it.
Planning for a small space? Check out these ideas
A pitfall into which it’s easy to slide as enthusiasm for the project takes hold is to end up asking for something that’s more complicated than it needs to be.
When you add complexity, you add cost. Not only that, but the project will take longer to complete. If you want to keep costs under control, have a clear brief and stick to it.
Planning for a small space? Check out these ideas
Put the brief out there
It’s worth contacting a few different craftspeople with whom to discuss your ideas. Ask around – word of mouth recommendation is very powerful. Talk to your interior designer, if you have one, and work with them to find a designer-maker. Each designer will come up with something slightly different, and they’ll most likely have some ideas you hadn’t considered.
If you’re looking for some artistic influence from an artisan, why not put the brief out there to a number of craftspeople and see the different ways they approach it.
It’s worth contacting a few different craftspeople with whom to discuss your ideas. Ask around – word of mouth recommendation is very powerful. Talk to your interior designer, if you have one, and work with them to find a designer-maker. Each designer will come up with something slightly different, and they’ll most likely have some ideas you hadn’t considered.
If you’re looking for some artistic influence from an artisan, why not put the brief out there to a number of craftspeople and see the different ways they approach it.
Find the right maker
Once you’ve had a couple of suggestions from a number of different craftspeople, it’s time to make your decision. Design will play a big factor, as will their expertise; budget might, too. And a large part will be whether you think you’ll work well together. Be sure to check what’s included in the price (is it all materials and labour?) and be clear on when staged payments should be made and the timescale of the project.
Do you recognise the 10 signs of being in the middle of renovation project?
Once you’ve had a couple of suggestions from a number of different craftspeople, it’s time to make your decision. Design will play a big factor, as will their expertise; budget might, too. And a large part will be whether you think you’ll work well together. Be sure to check what’s included in the price (is it all materials and labour?) and be clear on when staged payments should be made and the timescale of the project.
Do you recognise the 10 signs of being in the middle of renovation project?
Keep traditional skills alive
Sometimes people forget about the craftsmanship involved in bespoke pieces. Yes, having something custom-built might be slightly more expensive than buying off the shelf, but you’re also investing in a piece that’s unique and also helping to keep traditional skills alive.
Sometimes people forget about the craftsmanship involved in bespoke pieces. Yes, having something custom-built might be slightly more expensive than buying off the shelf, but you’re also investing in a piece that’s unique and also helping to keep traditional skills alive.
Enjoy your unique piece
Once you’ve been through the whole process, you’ll have your bespoke piece in place and it’s time to enjoy it. It can be an exhilarating experience and, after your first commissioned item of furniture is finished, you might even get the bug and want more!
TELL US…
Do you have any pieces of bespoke furniture in your home? We’d love to hear about your experiences and see photos in the Comments below.
Once you’ve been through the whole process, you’ll have your bespoke piece in place and it’s time to enjoy it. It can be an exhilarating experience and, after your first commissioned item of furniture is finished, you might even get the bug and want more!
TELL US…
Do you have any pieces of bespoke furniture in your home? We’d love to hear about your experiences and see photos in the Comments below.
There are a number of triggers that could set you thinking about having a custom piece of furniture made. Perhaps you’ve moved into a new home and want to echo a part of the architecture, or maybe there’s an odd alcove that you don’t quite know what to do with, or a space that’s a little too big for a queen-size bed but too small for a king? You can transform these quirks with beautiful pieces of furniture designed especially for the space.
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