We can be pretty liberal with the word luxury. We use it to describe everything from a Bugatti to a biscuit. But what does it really mean?
To most of us, the idea of luxury is inextricably linked with rarity. That might translate as time away from a relentless work diary with the people we love. For others, luxury is more tangible: a sleek bundle of horsepower on the driveway, or a timely embellishment to your wrist.
Perhaps more universally, though, it’s our home – as well as the stuff inside it. If you’re bold enough, your home can be utterly unique, a one-of-a-kind haven imbued with your personality and preferences, enriched by skill and craftsmanship. Hire a good designer and it’s a match made in heaven. There’s no denying it – bespoke is better.
When it comes to interiors – the furniture, lighting, and the spaces we inhabit daily – going bespoke is not just about finding something singularly beautiful, it’s also inherently intelligent.
Bespoke design solves problems and ages with grace. Designing a home is an intimate business: when it works, it’s a true partnership. Give, take, push, pull – discovering a voice you didn’t know you had. But how do you go about appointing a creative? How do you buy the taste and creativity of a designer?
Find your creative confidant
Bespoke cabinets and furniture by Jeffreys Interiors make every square metre count
Not all designers are created equal. Some will listen, others will lecture, hopefully most are excited to share ideas and knowledge. Many have a style that they’ll replicate again and again. The aim is to find the creative that will unlock something in you that even your therapist hasn’t yet managed. Look for some chemistry and the comfort of good communication. This is a creative collaboration, not a hostage situation, so find a creative who asks questions you haven’t yet considered yourself.
Mia Karlsson, founder and CEO of Mia Karlsson Interior Design, advises clients to look carefully at the relationship to ensure success: “Without chemistry, communication can break down, misunderstandings can arise, and the creative process can become frustrating.
“Style alignment is nice to have, but a little less important as a good designer adapts to bring their clients’ vision to life, rather than imposing their own style preferences on a project.
“That being said, if you can clearly see a ‘house style’ running through the entire portfolio, and this doesn’t align with yours, the chances are they aren't the right designer for you. A good designer can stretch your ideas and will gently push you outside of your comfort zone, but there must be mutual trust and a shared visual language.” So, choose wisely, and a designer can be your creative translator: converting your personality and way of living into a space that speaks to your values and style.
Professional partnerships
An Islington townhouse sitting room by Mia Karlsson
Commissioning bespoke design is not dissimilar to commissioning art: there’s trust, dialogue, and sometimes a little drama. Get it right, and it’s pure alchemy.
Whether you’re commissioning a chandelier, a dining table or a whole house, start with a brief that’s both practical and poetic. Define your must-haves, but also describe the mood you want to evoke. (“I want this room to feel like Sunday morning in Paris” is valid – provided your designer isn’t made of stone.)
Set clear boundaries on budget and timelines: beware the creative who glosses over these kinds of details. Great design is often iterative and can take time, so be patient, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to push back (politely but firmly, obviously). And yes, sign a contract, regardless of the maker or designer involved. Romance aside, this is still business after all.
Georgina Fraser, managing director of the acclaimed Jeffreys Interiors, advocates for an understanding of the creative journey to ensure a great fit: “Ask about their process – how they take a project from brief to completion – and look for evidence of projects that reflect the scale and quality you aspire to. You’re buying not just taste, but the ability to manage budgets, contractors and logistics seamlessly.”
Rather extreme cautionary tales can be found in the tragic episodes of Grand Designs, with clueless clients wondering where budget, relationships and sanity went. And Fraser truly understands the worth of a bespoke approach: “Off-the-shelf is like speed dating – quick, convenient, sometimes it works. Bespoke is the long-term relationship: tailored, considered, and made to last. Yes, it takes longer and costs more, but you end up with something unique that fits flawlessly, and won’t be spotted in your neighbour’s living room.”
Ornaments and heirlooms
Matt Kavanagh’s Nos Sphere is a glinting work of art
The most powerful bespoke pieces are those that earn their place across generations. Think of the chair your child learns to read in, the dining table that hosts multiple decades of birthdays, the light you inherit not just as a source of illumination but as a work of art. And there is no denying that bespoke has the potential to be much more environmentally friendly too, with a longer lifespan.
Matt Kavanagh is an award-winning designer and creator of the extraordinary Nos Sphere: a stunning chandelier made by hand and adapted to order. “My background was designing high-volume furniture for Italian brands. I moved away from this partly to avoid the throwaway aspect of mass production. I focus on low volume and bespoke projects that last longer, tailored to the end environment and often made locally from local resources.
“Nos Sphere is based around the re-use of the discarded but beautifully engineered single-use gas canisters found near my studio in London.” The piece from a distance looks like polished chrome and crystal; it’s only up close that the full story reveals itself.
Bespoke isn’t about trend-chasing, but values made tangible. By choosing well we anchor a space – and by extension, a life – with objects that carry weight, both literal and metaphorical. It’s the opposite of disposable culture and flat-packed furniture: an investment in tomorrow. ■
For more information and inspiration: jeffreys-interiors.co.uk miakarlsson.co.uk diplomatdesign.com
