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 custom-built Bespoke Furniture London designers, built by people who understand detail—and that’s where Smithers of Stamford come into it.

I first came across Smithers, and I’ll be honest—I was sceptical. But one look at their reclaimed industrial pieces and bespoke furniture London designers I was hooked. It wasn’t over-designed—just solid, confident design with a bit of bite. I began with a custom mirror frame, and it just snowballed from there. Smithers don’t mess about. I’ve since had them fit out the library, and every time, they’ve delivered. What you’re really paying for with Smithers is this: it fits like a tailored suit.

The size is right. And unlike some luxury brands who charge more for less, Smithers actually give a damn. I like that they work with independent workshops, 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