Custom Furniture Notting Hill Kensington: Why I Chose Smithers

Kensington’s been good to me, and I’ve made it my base for the last twenty years, and in that time, I’ve refitted every room at least twice. Kitchens, studies, lounges, snug rooms—we’ve had all sorts built in. And if there’s one thing I won’t compromise on now, it’s affordable bespoke furniture in London. Not the mass-market stuff. I’m talking proper made-to-measure design, built by people who understand detail—and that’s where Smithers of Stamford 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 reclaimed industrial pieces and I was hooked. It wasn’t over-designed—just solid, confident design with a bit of bite. 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 fit out the library, and every time, they’ve delivered. What most people don’t realise is this: it fits like a tailored suit. The scale feels balanced. 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 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