Kensington’s been good to me, and I’ve made it my base for the last twenty years, 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 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 bespoke pieces, built by people who understand detail—and that’s where Smithers make their entrance. My wife actually discovered Smithers, and I’ll be honest—I thought it’d be just another quirky brand.

But one look at their aviator range and I was hooked. It wasn’t chasing trends—just solid, confident design with a bit of bite. We started small—a console table for the hallway, and it just snowballed from there. Everything they make feels weighty, honest, and bold. I’ve since had them build a Bespoke Furniture London drinks unit in the snug, and every time, they’ve delivered. What you’re really paying for with Smithers is this: the piece actually works in the room.

The scale feels balanced. And unlike some luxury brands who phone it in, 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