Commissioning is exciting, a chance to have furniture created for you.
No trawling around looking for the right thing. You will be able to choose, with as much or as little of my assistance as you desire, the perfect material, finish and dimensions for you and your space. Your furniture will also be of the highest quality, with fine detailing and construction the like of which you will not find in shops. As all my pieces are hand built, I select exactly the right piece of wood for each part of the job, for instance to ensure the grain follows the lines of the piece. Hand finishing and working on a small scale also means I can incorporate the subtle detailing which is a feature of my work.
If you have not commissioned anything before it can seem intimidating. Clients sometimes say to me initially that they don’t know what they want or that they find it hard to imagine what they are buying. Of course, commissioning is different from buying an existing piece but that is much of its charm. It does not matter if you do not know exactly what you want. As a designer, my role is to interpret your ideas, likes and dislikes, however vague, into a design and ultimately furniture.
I have outlined the commissioning process, to give you a feel for how it works. Remember the process can be adapted to you and I am always happy to chat about any ideas or questions you may have:
Initial Enquiry
We may have several communications to determine whether you want to go further.
Meeting
If you do, I usually arrange to meet you at the intended home for the commissioned item(s). We will discuss the project further and I will gets an understanding of the setting so that I can start designing.
I prepare and send you draft design(s) for your review
Where appropriate I will give you some options so you can see the possibilities available to you within your brief. I will also send you a detailed design brief specifying your requirements, measurements, type of timber and finish.
We discuss the design(s)
Once you have reviewed the design(s), you can either approve a design or we can discuss changes. If you decide not to go ahead at this point, you will need to return all design work to me as the copyright will stay with me. To cover my costs to this point, I may have to ask you for a small fee but I will discuss this with you before we arrange our initial meeting if this is a possibility.
Giving me the go ahead to make your piece
When you are happy with the design and send me an initial deposit (usually around 50% of the cost), I will put your piece(s) in my workshop schedule. I will, if you would like, send you updates and photos showing your piece being made. You may also arrange to visit the workshop to see for yourself.
Delivery
When completed I personally deliver the work to you at a time that suits you.
