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, bespoke furniture London snug rooms—we’ve tried it all. And if there’s one thing I won’t compromise on now, it’s furniture. Not the mass-market stuff. I’m talking custom-built furniture makers in London, built by people who understand detail—and that’s where Smithers come into it. My wife actually discovered Smithers, 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. The first piece we bought was a brutalist sideboard for the dining room, 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 build a bespoke drinks unit in the snug, buy bespoke furniture London and every time, they’ve delivered.

Here’s what you get with proper bespoke furniture: it fits like a tailored suit. The scale feels balanced. And unlike some luxury brands who charge more for less, Smithers are all about craft. I like that they work with independent workshops, but I also like that they’re punchy. 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