Bespoke Bookcases in Bristol

“I have an 18th century home which I love and I'm always thinking about modern furniture for it, my kitchen/diner has a breakfast bar and I commissioned Andy (King and Webbon) to make me two wooden stools. I couldn't be more pleased with them, they are light but strong, superb detailing, they suit my kitchen perfectly. They're made from American ash with red rock maple inserts, everyone who sees them loves them! I wanted to add a picture to this review but no need as they are on the company's website. I'll definitely use King and Webbon again.”

“Really friendly team of talented craftsmen working with wood in the Bath area, a young dynamic team with a bright future. Bespoke kitchens, furniture and joinery - we have worked with Bath Bespoke and recommend them.”

“Nick listened patiently to my rather garbled `wants`, then we discussed which materials were most suitable, and finally he produced exactly what I ordered: a dining table and also a scaled down coffee table, both of great beauty, which were just what I had envisaged, and something which I can enjoy for years to come.”

“I have asked the Woodhouse and Law team to help me with several design projects for both the interior of my home and my garden over recent years. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with such a friendly, creative and professional team who commit the same level of care and attention to detail for each project, regardless of budget size. Even some of the smallest details and suggestions from W&L have transformed my home in ways I could not have imagined myself and I view the W&L team as trusted partners in making my home somewhere I truly love to live. Their help and advice has been invaluable to me and I recommend their services without hesitation.”

“We hired Oli to extend our bathroom and carry out a complete refit. We were really pleased with the work. The quality of the finish was very high and Oli was adaptable to changes which we required as the works progressed. Oli was really engaged in the design from start to finish, and we are keen to use him again on other work. He and his team were punctual, tidy and professional. Many thanks.”

“For some years, we had planned to extend our 3 bedroom, end-of-terrace property and already had plans drawn up and approved. However, with the passage of time, we wanted to be sure that these plans continued to suit our purposes. We invited Nick to review the proposals and he made a number of very useful observations. Importantly, he helped us to see that we could reconfigure the space and change our way of living to enjoy an improved view of the garden and across the valley in a light-filled, open-plan kitchen-diner with separate seating area. He also identified some simple changes to the layout to maximise functionality of the various new spaces, creating a separate utility room that we had always wanted, and an area for our pets. He also spotted a design simplification that would facilitate installation of a new kitchen. The proposed renovation would affect many of the spaces in the house, so Nick produced several 3D models of the whole property to help us to envisage optional layouts. His advice, supported by the different models and estimated costs, also identified elements that were not worth pursuing, releasing funds for other aspects that were more important to us. With the basic layout agreed, Nick worked with the architect, structural engineer, and Council planning officers to ensure that the agreed re-design would be approved. In parallel, he produced a very detailed specification with electrical and lighting layout and schematic for the TV, music and IT installation; this, together with architect’s drawings, formed the tender package against which 3 contractors bid a fixed price. We came to realise that this detailed document with specific references was critical to containing the price within defined limits; through the specification, the contractor was given very clear instructions on specific building works, plumbing and heating, joinery, lighting, flooring and other aspects of the project. Nick ran a competitive tender working closely with us and the 3 bidders. Together, we then selected the winning contractor and work started. In essence, whilst we lived with the building work, Nick was on site almost every day to keep an eye on developments and make decisions where required. Largely, we sat back and made cups of tea for the builders. If we spotted anything of concern, we generally raised this with Nick in the first instance and he would either explain the issue to us or, if some action was required, would address it with the contractor. Having established the principal price for the works, Nick was also keen to show us the total cost of the project including carpets, window dressings, audio equipment etc. He had also designed a number of bespoke storage units some of which were eventually fabricated and fitted. Early in the planning process we met to review decorative schemes with samples to show how each room would look and feel, along with the associated prices. He maintained a detailed spreadsheet, so that we could budget for furnishings over a timescale that suited us. The spreadsheet included a risk budget for identified risks, to help us understand the level of caution required as the project progressed. The value of the main contractor’s work was £120k + VAT (including kitchen) and the total project budgeted price was £150k + VAT (including furnishings etc). Nick oversaw the contractor’s implementation of the design. He also managed any interfaces between the contractor and other suppliers, and organised purchase of additional items such as the kitchen, carpets, blinds, and audio kit. He took us to view kitchens and appliances so that we could confirm our requirement. He then negotiated a good price for us which saved several £ks. This was another feature of working with Nick; not only did he negotiate good prices on our behalf, he also passed on elements of his trade discounts to us, and identified cost effective solutions which more than paid for his fees. We were particularly fascinated by Nick’s attention to detail and came to realise and appreciate its importance. For example, his insistence on the apparently small detail of aligning the floor level at the threshold to the French doors was simple to implement, but the contractors would have proceeded to fit a step over the threshold (because it was easy and what they always do) without Nick insisting otherwise. We now have no such trip-hazards. As the project proceeded, Nick spent more time with us and our teenagers, confirming styles and tastes, bringing samples and putting together schemes, before sourcing carpets and other fixtures and fittings. He introduced us to a number of new ideas: all of our friends marvel at our purple glass splashback and resin-worktop; the walk-in rain shower is fabulous; the music distribution system is fantastic, the wide floorboards are a real feature, and the look of our spacious, contemporary kitchen-diner is very special. He also future-proofed the property with an ethernet network in all key areas of the home. To manage cash-flow, the project was split into 2 phases. In planning for this, Nick ensured that all foundations, cabling, and pipes for phase 2 were installed during phase 1, negating the need for re-work or additional work later. In fact, during the 6 month break between phases, the contractor failed to record works already completed and paid for, and were preparing to escalate the ongoing price significantly (by approximately £8k, or 30% of the price remaining). However, Nick’s dogged determination and scrupulous record-keeping allowed us to maintain the project largely within the original price (allowing only for a legitimate inflationary increase in materials and labour). Throughout the project, we had every confidence that Nick would address any issue with the work. He produced a detailed snagging list at the end of each phase and ensured that all items were closed before the project was signed off. We are delighted with our “new” home and, having lived with it now for over a year, we find it practical as well as stylish, with plenty of functionality, space and light. Nick is a pleasure to work with. He offers fresh ideas and has opened our eyes to opportunities that we would otherwise have missed. Equally, he accepts respectfully that a client may not always be able to follow a particular recommendation. He is extraordinarily diligent and reliable and his involvement saved us money overall (to the tune of many £ks). We will certainly continue to use his services for future developments of our home and it gives us great pleasure to recommend him to others.”

“My company, Albero Furniture Makers, have contracted Radiance on a number of occasions to assist with the making and installing of fitted furniture, particularly large bookcases and wardrobes. They have demonstrated a high level of care and craftsmanship in their work and have achieved required outputs to time and budget.”

“I commissioned Nick to build a bespoke musical amplifier stand in American oak. After giving Nick some specific parameters he was able to produce a unique and yet functional design. After receiving the finished product, I was absolutely thrilled with the overall finish and attention to detail. Nick is a true craftsman, in every sense of the word. Throughout the project Nick communicated with me to ensure the final product was exactly what I wanted. Nick is not just a master craftsman but an artist as well. Highly recommended.”

“I work from home as a music producer and have a small space which I spend a lot of hours in, so needed a carefully designed unit/desk that would ensure the space didn't feel claustrophobic. Will came around for an initial consultation and researched my working style carefully, which meant he was able to design the perfect desk to meet my needs. Not only did the desk exceed expectations, but he took time to consider the whole room, suggesting additional features such as shelving etc, which has brought the room together perfectly and given it a great working atmosphere. Will met deadlines and left the area tidy and clean when leaving for the day - which is something that we valued with a 2 year old in the house! Will more than exceeded expectations and I would recommend him to all.”

“Ben came and built some bespoke shelving for me in a corner of my dining room. He was friendly, and did a lovely job, which I was very pleased with. He worked with me to produce the best product he could to fit within my tight budget, but using the best materials. I can highly recommend.”