Why buy bespoke furniture?

by | Oct 28, 2020

What are the benefits of handmade furniture?

You may find yourself asking if you want a furniture maker to design and make a piece of furniture or a built in wardrobe for your home.

It is fair to wonder if this is a good option, considering there are hundreds of different places to buy from and many options that won’t cost as much.

Hand made furniture has several benefits which you simply don’t get from mass produced options.

Handmade furniture is built to last.

Each piece of furniture made at Arbor Furniture is made with care and designed to last generations. We like the idea of furniture being a meaningful part of the home – people don’t often remember the throwaway items, but a handmade piece of furniture that has been sat in the corner of the family home for years. We want to continue that idea, so our pieces are not only built to last, but made with our clients’ in mind to make them significant.

It is more environmentally friendly.

We want to question the throwaway nature of a lot furniture. There is a commonly held idea that mass produced furniture doesn’t last long, and there is good reason for that. It isn’t great for the environment to just dispose of furniture regularly, after it begins to fall apart.

We use locally sourced timber wherever possible, and only ever use FSC certified sheet materials, which ensure that our materials come from well managed forests and/or recycled sources.

Your furniture will be unique.

We work with our clients to discuss exactly what they want. Our furniture is made to measure, and designed with you in mind. This means you will receive a piece of furniture that is unique to your home. Whether this is in knowing where the wood was grown, or in having a design that is just as you wanted it.

It supports local craftspeople.

All of our furniture is made in house in our workshop. We are a small Bristol based company.

We use traditional furniture and cabinet making methods, as well as modern techniques. We also work with other local craftspeople on various projects, such as blacksmiths, timber framers and upholsterers.

It is this hard work and knowledge that go in to making your furniture and in to providing a great service.

It can add value to your home.

Bespoke kitchens and built in wardrobes can’t be taken with you if you decide to move house, but they can be an investment as the extra storage and design can be very attractive to potential buyers.

Buying handmade furniture isn’t always going to be the best option for everything – but there are many places where it can have a huge advantage over getting something mass-produced.

We are happy to discuss design ideas and provide estimates with no obligations, so if you have an idea for your home – please get in touch!

At Arbor Furniture, a local Bristol furniture maker, we take pride in crafting exquisite pieces that blend traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Our latest creation, a handmade sideboard made from olive ash, is a testament to this philosophy. This unique piece not only showcases the natural beauty of olive ash but also incorporates Japanese-inspired elements, making it an aesthetic and functional addition to any home.

The Beauty of Olive Ash

Olive ash is known for its striking grain patterns and rich, warm tones. Each piece of wood is carefully selected to highlight its natural beauty, ensuring that no two sideboards are exactly alike. The wood’s durability and strength make it an ideal choice for furniture that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Japanese-Inspired Design

Drawing inspiration from traditional Japanese design, our olive ash sideboard features sliding doors and intricate kumiko panels. The sliding doors are not only a space-saving solution but also add a touch of elegant simplicity to the piece. The kumiko panels, handcrafted with precision, showcase the artistry and attention to detail that Arbor Furniture is known for.

Traditional Kumiko Panels

Kumiko is a traditional Japanese woodworking technique that involves assembling wooden pieces without the use of nails or screws. This method creates intricate geometric patterns that are both beautiful and functional. Our sideboard features kumiko panels with Shoji paper screens, adding a layer of translucency and softness to the design. The Shoji paper screens diffuse light gently, creating a serene and calming atmosphere in any room.

Functionality Meets Artistry

While the design of our olive ash sideboard is rooted in tradition, its functionality is thoroughly modern. The sliding doors provide easy access to ample storage space, making it perfect for storing dinnerware, linens, or other household items. Drawing inspiration from Japanese and Mid-century design styles also means this sideboard comfortably works in many different settings.

A Statement Piece for Your Home

Whether placed in a dining room, living room, or hallway, this handmade sideboard is sure to be a focal point. Its unique blend of materials and design elements makes it a versatile piece that complements a variety of interior styles. As a Bristol furniture maker, Arbor Furniture is committed to creating pieces that enhance the beauty and functionality of your home. We aim to make furniture that will last generations, using timeless designs and traditional craft skills.

Conclusion

At Arbor Furniture, we believe that furniture should be more than just functional; it should also include unique, simple and beautiful design. Our handmade olive ash sideboard, with its Japanese-inspired design, and traditional Shoji sliding doors, is a perfect example of this philosophy.  We offer bespoke furniture, so can work with you to design and make your perfect piece of furniture. Contact us to discuss your project, for a similar sideboard, fitted wardrobes or a handmade kitchen, and discover the artistry and craftsmanship that sets Arbor Furniture apart.

Click Here to get in touch.