Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson

Robin Johnson speaks with furniture designer Katie Walker and designer Charlie Dedman about the collaboration behind Meon Furniture and the realities of modern British furniture making. The conversation explores design for manufacture, steam bending ash timber, CNC machining, sustainable forestry and the business decisions behind heirloom furniture. They discuss the shift from studio craft to batch production, the value of workshop knowledge, and the importance of constant product improvement through feedback and testing. The episode also examines the role of British timber, the impact of ash dieback on forestry, and the challenge of building furniture that will last for decades rather than years.
Key Topics Covered
Furniture design collaboration between Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman
The launch and vision of the Meon Furniture brand
Steam bending ash timber in chair making
Design for manufacture and batch production
CNC machining in modern furniture workshops
British ash timber and the impact of ash dieback
Sustainable furniture production and responsible forestry
B Corp certification and ethical manufacturing
Furniture product development and continuous improvement
The difference between studio craft and commercial manufacturing
Building heirloom furniture designed to last generations

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.
Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction to Katie Walker and Charlie Dedman
01:23 Origins of the Meon Furniture collaboration
02:15 Katie Walker’s design education and Royal College background
07:23 Designing furniture for CNC manufacture
10:33 Learning woodworking skills through hands on training
13:48 Steam bending ash timber for chair design
17:21 Why ash timber is used for interior furniture
18:52 British ash, forestry and ash dieback
23:17 The history and reputation of Gaze Burvill furniture
29:11 Designing joinery that reduces manufacturing time
31:33 Designing sculptural furniture versus designing for production
37:35 Product development and improving furniture over time
41:27 Designing heirloom furniture built to last generations
45:26 Launch strategy for Meon Furniture
49:12 Why chair making is one of the hardest furniture disciplines
50:48 Advice to younger designers entering the craft industry

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Barnaby Ash and Dru Plumb of Plumb and Ash about their rise from garage woodturning to exhibiting at TEFAF New York. They discuss Greco Roman influences, sculptural wood vessels, working with green oak, embracing cracks and stitch work, targeting high end galleries, and building a profitable craft business through strategy, research and relentless refinement.
Key Topics Covered
• Woodturning and contemporary wood sculpture
• Greco Roman classicism and design history influence
• Storytelling in art and craft practice
• Working with green oak, cracks and natural movement
• Stitching wood vessels and visible mending techniques
• Transition from craft fairs to international art fairs
• Targeting high end galleries and collectors
• Pricing strategy and value in the art market
• Creative partnership and studio roles
• Burnout, pressure and creative flow state
• Building a sustainable craft business in the UK
• Future plans including blacksmithing and workshop expansion
Enjoying the show?
Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.
Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.
Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
Key Moments:
00:00 Introduction to Plumb and Ash and their sculptural woodturning
01:06 Greco Roman influences and design research
03:17 Storytelling, symbolism and emotional impact in sculpture
08:46 Starting out with a second hand lathe and garage workshop
16:18 Moving from functional objects to sculptural vessels
17:48 Targeting high end galleries and strategic growth
22:24 Pressure, ambition and creative risk
25:01 Division of roles in a creative partnership
27:32 Working with green oak, cracks and stitched repairs
34:55 Complex sculptural handles and pushing technical limits
38:43 Milestones including Collect, museum acquisitions and TEFAF
51:13 Plans for a new woodland workshop
56:05 Burnout, deadlines and creative obsession
59:51 Making work that feels beyond your own ability
01:00:57 Advice to their eighteen year old selves

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Brandon Collins of Crabtree and Hargreeves about building a profitable bespoke kitchen and furniture business in the UK. Brandon shares how he transitioned from antique restoration with his father into high end bespoke kitchens, how he named his company for brand positioning and search clarity, and why hand painted finishes outperform spray finishes in durability and long term maintenance.
He explains how investing in CNC machinery and Cabinet Vision software improved accuracy, efficiency and client communication, and he discusses pricing, managing growth, recruiting skilled cabinet makers and protecting craftsmanship in a technology driven world.
This episode will resonate with furniture makers, joiners, kitchen designers, cabinet makers and small workshop owners who want practical insight into scaling a bespoke furniture business while maintaining quality and creative control.
Key Topics Covered
• Transition from antique restoration to bespoke kitchens
• Brand naming strategy for cabinet makers and furniture businesses
• Hand painted kitchen finishes versus spray finishes
• CNC machines in small woodworking workshops
• Using Cabinet Vision software for cabinetry design and production
• Growth challenges in bespoke furniture businesses
• Pricing, margins and workshop efficiency
• Skills gap in cabinet making and joinery
• Human judgement in bespoke craftsmanship
• Client expectations in high end kitchen design

Enjoying the show?
Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.
Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.
Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:
00:00 Brand Origin and Business Evolution
03:25 Transition from Antiques to Bespoke Furniture
06:26 Challenges and Opportunities in the Furniture Industry
15:27 Hand-Painted Finishes and Quality Control
24:32 Technological Advancements and Efficiency
55:24 The Role of Technology in Bridging Skills Gaps
55:47 The Importance of Creativity and Craftsmanship
56:05 The Future of the Furniture Industry
56:26 Advice for Aspiring Furniture Makers
01:00:21 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Robin Johnson speaks with Louis Rhoades of Louis Rhoades Studio about scaling a bespoke joinery business from a one man workshop to a structured, design led studio. They break down pricing to the penny, profitability between two and four staff, why growth from four to ten is brutal, and how value beats cost when you invest in CNC, spray finishing and FUGA Hydro substrates.
This episode tackles hospitality versus residential work, outsourcing risk, honest client communication, proportion in design, and the stress that comes with ambition. A direct conversation between two workshop owners on craftsmanship, margins, ethics and long term thinking in British furniture making.
Key Topics Covered
Scaling from solo maker to small team
Profitability at two to four staff versus four to ten
Day rate calculation using fixed and variable overheads
Hospitality niche versus high end residential pricing
Value versus cost in bespoke joinery
CNC machining, solid edge banding and spray booth investment
Hydro Fuga MDF and veneered construction
Design first process and shop drawings
Outsourcing risk and quality control
Proportion, symmetry and timeless furniture design
Stress, cash flow fear and business resilience

Enjoying the show?
Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.
Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.
Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:
00:00 Scaling from one man workshop to small team
04:25 Why employing friends rarely works
08:09 Hospitality versus residential pricing realities
11:07 Value proposition and stepping away from tenders
24:58 Outsourcing failures and bringing processes in house
30:12 Investing in CNC and spray finishing for output and control
33:57 Calculating day rates and defining real value
45:15 Design ethics, legacy and avoiding disposable furniture
01:01:12 Hydro Fuga, veneering and modern wardrobe design
01:17:42 Craft standards, minor defects and client honesty
01:21:37 Advice to a younger self on stress and growth

In this episode of Yours for the Making Robin Johnson speaks with Louisa Pacifico, founder of Future Icons about how makers turn skill into a viable business without undercutting their value. Louisa explains why premium craft succeeds through fewer higher value sales rather than volume, and why many artisans struggle because they price emotionally rather than commercially.
The conversation covers gallery relationships, press strategy licensing contracts and the importance of knowing when to say no. Louisa also discusses her role curating Future Icons Selects during London Craft Week and how makers should approach shows with clarity, purpose and realistic expectations. This episode offers practical insight for craftspeople who want longevity rather than noise.
Key Topics Covered
What Future Icons does for established makers
Pricing premium craft correctly
Understanding audience and market fit
Fewer sales higher margins business model
Why saying no protects long term value
Gallery introductions and exhibition strategy
Licensing work with international brands
Legal contracts and intellectual property
Press coverage and media positioning
Apprenticeships internships and education routes
Funding grants and bursaries for makers
Curating Future Icons Selects for London Craft Week

Enjoying the show?
Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.
Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.
Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.
Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:
00:00 What Future Icons does and why it exists
03:00 Pricing problems in the craft sector
08:44 Knowing when not to do a show
15:27 Value based pricing versus cheap tenders
20:20 Learning business by doing
24:55 Funding education and apprenticeships
34:52 Curating Future Icons Selects
42:08 Regional buyers and gallery strategy
50:46 Advice to young makers
52:10 How to contact Louisa & Future Icons