Notting Hill’s been home for a couple of decades, and in that time, I’ve redone my house top to bottom more times than I care to admit. Kitchens, studies, lounges, snug rooms—we’ve had all sorts built in. And if there’s one thing I won’t compromise on now, it’s furniture. Not the mass-market stuff. I’m talking proper made-to-measure design, built by people who understand detail—and that’s where Smithers UK come into it. A friend in Chelsea mentioned Smithers during a dinner party, and I’ll be honest—I thought it’d be just another quirky brand.

But one look at their madcap cocktail cabinets and I was hooked. It wasn’t try-hard—just solid, confident design with a bit of swagger. I began with a custom mirror frame, and it just snowballed from there. Each piece looks like it belongs in a film set and a townhouse, somehow. I’ve since had them fit out the library, and handmade bespoke furniture London every time, they’ve delivered. Here’s what you get with proper Bespoke Furniture London workshop furniture: it’s not furniture—it’s architectural.

It doesn’t swallow the space or disappear into it. And unlike some luxury brands who think branding does the work, Smithers are all about craft. I like that they aren’t afraid to push the design, but I also like that they’re not stiff. You want a steel and brass bookshelf that curves into a corner? They’ll sketch it up in two days. You need leather that smells like an old Bentley interior?

Done. I’ve sent friends to them in Mayfair and Holland Park and every single one