Six new Bespoke Guild Marks take award total to more than 500

Six exceptional pieces of bespoke and fitted furniture have been awarded the Bespoke Guild Mark by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry. This milestone brings the total number of Bespoke Guild Marks awarded over the programme's 67-year history to more than 500.

Since its inception in 1958, the Bespoke Guild Mark has been the highest distinction for UK designer-makers. The award recognises excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function for exquisite pieces of furniture and fitted furniture, whether produced as single items or in a limited run.

Tweed Console Table by Phillip Dobbins

Over the past six months, the Bespoke Guild Mark jury has awarded the Mark to:

1. Tweed Console Table by Phillip Dobbins (BGM 496)

2. Oomugi: Japanese Whisky Shrine by Ed Ryland (BGM 497)

3. Spitfire Chair by Ian Burnell (BGM 498)

4. Trewithen Kitchen by Guild Anderson (BGM 499)

5. Sunburst Table and Chairs by Daniel Lacey (BGM 500)

6. Lines Puzzle Cabinet by Josey Garbutt (BGM 501)

Daniel Hopwood, Bespoke Guild Mark chairman, said: "It's always a privilege to witness the extraordinary talent and dedication of our UK designer-makers, and this latest cohort of Bespoke Guild Mark recipients truly exemplifies the pinnacle of bespoke craftsmanship. Each of these exceptional pieces demonstrates not only outstanding design and technical skill, but also a deep understanding of materials and function.

Oomugi: Japanese Whisky Shrine by Ed Ryland            

“On behalf of The Furniture Makers’ Company, I extend my warmest congratulations to Phillip Dobbins, Ed Ryland, Ian Burnell, Guild Anderson, Daniel Lacey and Josey Garbutt for their remarkable achievements. Reaching the milestone of over 500 Bespoke Guild Marks awarded is a testament to the industry's enduring excellence. We're immensely proud to continue celebrating and supporting the UK's finest bespoke furniture makers.”

DESIGNER REFLECTIONS

Phillip Dobbins: "I'm thrilled to have received a Bespoke Guild Mark. The award validates a maker's work at the highest level."

Ed Ryland: "Winning a Bespoke Guild Mark is a profound honour. It feels like the highest possible recognition of the effort, dedication and community that contributed to crafting something unique which, hopefully, brings joy in some way. On a personal level, working on this piece helped me through some difficult times, and I put a huge amount of myself into it. Being recognised in this way truly means the world."

Ian Burnell: "I have no words. What an incredible honour to be recognised with such a prestigious award."

Nick Anderson of Guild Anderson: "This was a landmark historic project for myself and the team. The owners placed their faith in our ability to deliver a set of spaces that suited how they live as a modern family while also being sympathetic to the house's stunning architecture. We're very proud of what we achieved."

Daniel Lacey: "I’m deeply honoured to receive this — my sixth Bespoke Guild Mark — for the Sunburst Table and Chairs. To be recognised once more by such a prestigious organisation is incredible. Thank you."

Josey Garbutt: "Being awarded the Bespoke Guild Mark is a huge accolade, particularly so early in my career, and it motivates me to keep pushing boundaries."

Spitfire Chair by Ian Burnell

FOCUS ON AWARD-WINNING PIECES

Tweed Console Table by Phillip Dobbins (BGM 496)

A refined evolution of a console table first developed in the 1990s, this piece combines contemporary techniques with traditional handwork. Notable features include precision-fitted hand-dovetailed drawers, intricate veneer work using engineered Italian poplar veneer, and distinctive ebony corner stringing that defines the form.

Oomugi: Japanese Whisky Shrine by Ed Ryland (BGM 497)

Inspired by Japanese shrines, this piece elevates whisky drinking to an act of ritual and reverence. The parquetry doors feature large-scale yosegi-zaiku patterns symbolising Japan’s agricultural seasons, while hand-turned sycamore trays and handles nod to traditional farming tools. The result is a luxurious yet earthy piece that honours meticulous craftsmanship and the depth of Japanese whisky.

Spitfire Chair by Ian Burnell (BGM 498)

Drawing inspiration from the Mark Vb Supermarine Spitfire, this chair embodies the iconic aircraft's elegance and agility. Crafted entirely from locally sourced English oak, it features a hand-woven paper cord seat, steam-bent backrest and VOC-free wax oil finishing, which demonstrates both historical reverence and sustainability.

Trewithen Kitchen by Guild Anderson

Trewithen Kitchen by Guild Anderson (BGM 499)

Designed for a Grade I listed family home, this kitchen blends historical sensitivity with modern functionality. Inspired by Victorian interiors, it features a gloss-painted oak cook’s table with hidden modern appliances and a discreetly panelled lobby space, which cleverly conceals bulkier kitchen elements.

Sunburst Table and Chairs by Daniel Lacey (BGM 500)

This striking pedestal table, crafted from locally sourced white ash, features a veneer sunburst pattern with alternating end-grain and through-tenoned legs. The ribbed pedestal structure and carefully book-matched veneers unify the table and chairs, creating an organic yet cohesive aesthetic.

Lines Puzzle Cabinet by Josey Garbutt (BGM 501)

A sculptural wall-mounted piece disguising a functional cabinet with 24 hidden drawers, this intricate design is made from English rippled ash and 5,000-year-old bog oak. Featuring approximately 1,000 components and requiring over 500 hours to craft, the cabinet includes secret locking mechanisms that demand a specific sequence to unlock.

Sunburst Table and Chairs by Daniel Lacey

About the Bespoke Guild Mark

The Bespoke Guild Mark is awarded following rigorous assessment by a panel of industry experts, who evaluate excellence in four key areas:

• Design – The concept, scale and innovation behind the piece.

• Materials – The selection and application of materials, including finishes.

• Craftsmanship – Special features and complex challenges overcome in production.

• Function – How well the piece fulfils its intended purpose.

Lines Puzzle Cabinet by Josey Garbutt

In terms of the assessment process, applications are reviewed quarterly. An initial evaluation is based on images and details submitted with the application form. If the piece qualifies, a physical inspection is conducted and a final decision then made based on the panel’s report. Applicants are promptly notified of the outcome.

For further information on The Furniture Makers’ Company, see www.furnituremakers.org.uk.