Business Details
12 Years
experience
Bespoke Handcrafted Furniture in Bristol
Irene Banham Furniture was founded in 2014 by Irene Banham, a former civil design engineer who transitioned to cabinet making to combine technical precision with creative craftsmanship. Our bespoke furniture and cabinetry blend traditional joinery techniques with contemporary design principles, ensuring each piece balances functionality and aesthetic appeal. With a background in engineering, we prioritise structural integrity and ergonomic design while maintaining artistic flair. Every item is handcrafted in our Bristol workshop using sustainably sourced hardwoods and innovative materials. Our process involves close collaboration with clients to create tailored solutions for storage, dining, seating, and decorative needs.We maintain rigorous quality control throughout production, from initial concept to final finish. Our portfolio includes custom commissions, adaptable designs, and limited-run accessories, all reflecting our commitment to excellence. We serve clients seeking unique, durable furniture that reflects their personal style and spatial requirements. Our engineering heritage informs our problem-solving approach to complex design challenges. We welcome opportunities to discuss new projects and provide expert guidance on material selection, spatial planning, and design optimisation.
Services
Bespoke Furniture
Customisable Designs
Home Accessories
Walnut Coffee Tables
Extending Dining Tables
Details
- Year established: 2014
Highlights and features
- We have over a decade of experience in fine furniture making
- Our engineering background ensures precise structural solutions
- We combine traditional joinery with contemporary design principles
- We offer full client collaboration throughout the design process
- We use sustainably sourced premium hardwoods and materials
Services
Bespoke Furniture
We create made-to-order furniture tailored to specific spatial and functional requirements. Our process involves collaborative design development, material selection, and handcrafting using traditional joinery techniques combined with modern engineering principles. Each piece ensures perfect fit and enduring quality.
Customisable Designs
We offer pre-designed furniture models that can be modified to suit individual preferences. Clients may adjust dimensions, materials, and finishes while maintaining structural integrity. This service provides high-quality craftsmanship with reduced lead times compared to fully bespoke commissions.
Home Accessories
We produce handcrafted decorative and functional wooden items including lamps, cake stands, and display pieces. These small-batch creations combine aesthetic appeal with practicality, serving as statement pieces or special occasion gifts while maintaining our signature quality standards.
Walnut Coffee Tables
We design and make solid walnut coffee tables featuring intricate detailing like resin inlays and copper accents. Each piece combines modern aesthetics with traditional woodworking techniques, creating durable centrepieces that enhance contemporary living spaces through thoughtful material combinations.
Extending Dining Tables
We craft dining tables with integrated extension mechanisms for flexible seating arrangements. Our butterfly leaf system allows seamless transformation from intimate settings to larger gatherings, maintaining structural stability and aesthetic continuity when extended.
People
Irene Banham
Furniture Maker
Former civil engineer turned award-winning furniture maker with a decade of experience. Combines technical precision with creative design, specialising in bespoke hardwood pieces. Holds advanced training from Williams and Cleal Furniture School, focusing on traditional techniques and modern applications.
Questions
What materials do you use in your furniture making?
We use sustainably sourced hardwoods including walnut, cherry, and oak. We also incorporate complementary materials like copper, resin, and glass to enhance design elements while maintaining structural integrity.
Can I request custom modifications to existing designs?
Yes, our customisable designs allow adjustments to dimensions, finishes, and material combinations. We work closely with clients to adapt existing models while maintaining structural soundness and aesthetic coherence.
How long does a bespoke commission typically take?
Lead times vary by complexity but average 8-12 weeks from design approval to completion. We provide detailed timelines during initial consultations and maintain regular communication throughout the production process.
Do you offer delivery services?
We offer local delivery within Bristol and surrounding areas. For distant clients, we arrange specialist furniture transport services to ensure safe delivery of your handcrafted piece.
Can I visit your workshop?
Workshop visits are available by appointment at our Easton, Bristol location. We recommend scheduling consultations in advance to ensure adequate time for discussing your project requirements.
