The Return of Craftsmanship
I have a confession I want to make as an interior designer: I’ve been thinking about handmade pieces lately, and the more I talk with others in the field of interior decoration and life-style, the more convinced I become hand-crafted pieces are the future of interiors.
People: craft is back, and yes, I’m going to sing its praises because it’s well overdue that it catches on again.
Why celebrate handmade pieces? Let’s take a look…
Quality Over Quantity
There is no comparison between a thousand badly made things that have been churned out in a factory and a well-crafted, bespoke item that is expertly made by a craftsman or woman. I have lost count of the amount of furniture made by cheap mass producers that falls apart after a year. A piece made well? They were built to last.
A crafted oak dining table at home, made by a local carpenter. Solid, beautiful, you even know the story – that’s what you can say to have people over.
That’s something you don’t get from a flat-pack from somewhere.
Unique and Personal
Come on, face it: we all want our homes to be a bit special. We want some personality. We want a home to be like a mini-museum, by housing things that are unique – because nobody else has quite the same handcrafted piece of furniture or art. And what’s more, we want to feel the handmade item’s soul because the artisan has placed some of himself into it.
I recall furnishing a client’s house about a year ago, and there was this lovely hand-knotted Persian rug that we found which really helped to articulate the room, and it was a statement piece. It wasn’t just a rug, you know; it was art. The client was so happy, and you know, it made the space feel so special and different.
Supporting Local Artisans
There’s a fantastic sense of completion and authenticity when you know exactly where your furniture comes from, and who’s making the lovely pieces you’re buying. When you purchase from an independent craftsperson, you’re buying into the ongoing talents of the artisan, not just a pretty something-or-other for your sitting room. You’re channelling small change into the local economy, and broadening the horizons of hand-crafted creativity.
I have worked with hundreds of local craftspeople over the years, and you feel so privileged. These people put their heart and soul into their work, and it shows. And you are breathing life into traditional skills, and giving something back to the community. What could be more joyful – let alone more moral – than that, and not lined the coffers of faceless corporations?
Investing in Quality: The Longevity of Handcrafted Pieces
And value for money? Sure, you’re likely to pay more for something handmade, but it’s worth it. It really is. Handcrafted things are built to last. I have a handmade chest of drawers that’s been in my family for three generations. It’s still looks great and has so much more character than any flat-pack thing ever could.
It’s not just about things that are beautiful to look at, it’s things that last 50 years. If you spend more to buy something that’s made with care, that skill, that time and attention – not just to the making but to the process of its creation – you’re seeing the fruits of those labours because the piece can be repaired and refinished as the need arises… As opposed to something that you’ve bought that will only last a number of years before it ends up in the landfill. So you’re getting way more times – financially and the thing that I also appreciate – is the joy that it brings to your home.
Exploring Different Handcrafted Techniques and Styles
Welcome to the plethora of hand craft techniques and styles. It’s a diverse world with wonderful variety. Each item is a story in itself, from classical wood work to modern metal work, by hand.
Such as joinery: there is something wonderful about an item of furniture streaked together with dovetail joints or mortise and tenon, knowingly held together, no nails in sight — but that is the point. It’s made with skill and nuance, and that is the detail, the difference of the handmade.
And upholstery: hand-tying springs, plumping pillows and sewing cloth. Comfortable chesterfields and threadbare church pews have been restored to former glory with little other than elbow grease and a good upholsterer behind them.
Another great example of this is ceramics. A pot, a vase, a tile – anything made by hand carries an unmistakable creative signature in the form of the maker’s fingerprint. By its very nature, a thrown pot, a traditional hand-glazed pot, or even a more elaborate Ming vase can never be flawless, but that’s precisely what gives it that endearing quality.
And what about textiles? Whatever we do, let’s not forget the handwoven rugs, tapestries and cushions that add interest and softness to your environment. Isn’t it remarkable what can be achieved with our hands? If you throw one of these over your sofa, it is not just a splash of colour you are throwing into the space.
Environmental Impact
I’m not about to lecture you on greenery, but as a point to ponder, there’s a lot of waste and dubious materials used in mass production that at its heart is an industrial process. Whereas handmade things are sustainably made as far as possible. It’s about not costing the earth when you’re making something beautiful.
Let’s start with what you’re made of. A lot of craftspeople use local wood or otherwise reclaimed stock. The material has a smaller carbon footprint coming out of the forest and a smaller one being trundled into a house. I’ve seen stunning floors and staircases and roof beams from old barn boards that would otherwise have gone to the dump. Starting with a crusty old piece of wood is a great way to give old stock new life.
The making process, too. Mass production can lead to some huge environmental disasters – think of all those factories, the energy consumption, and the waste. You can’t say the same of handcrafting. Most things are made in small workshops or even at home. That means their making process requires barely any energy and produces nothing more than a few scraps.
Have you ever heard of fast furniture? Think of the agricultural industry but applied to furniture: extremely low price, quite terrible, disposable, and shockingly polluting. A product purchased at a low price for its low quality, to be thrown in the bin once the return value is exhausted. Handcrafted furniture is the antithesis of this. Properly made, it will last decades, meaning that fewer items end up in the skip, and reductions in transport, raw materials and all the related costs are found during the product’s entire lifecycle.
Another related note: non-toxic finishes and treatments. Off-the-shelf pieces are often coated with a huge array of unfriendly chemicals, not just to the environment but your world as well. Artisans, on the other hand, often use natural oils and waxes, much gentler to the planet and to you.
And there’s also the benefit of less packaging. When you’ve bought something flat-pack, it’s like you’ve been sent all your new item mountains of cardboard and plastic. Ridiculous. Handmade things come in minimal packaging, and what does come, is often recyclable or biodegradable.
Timeless Appeal
This may explain why fashion comes and goes but craft never goes out of fashion. Objects made by hand don’t go with this season’s fashion shoot; they’re made to endure and last for many generations. This is one of the benefits of buying handcrafted furniture; an investment in furniture now also signifies an investment in an heirloom.
I have an armchair that was made bespoke for my grandpap, who had it custom-made a hundred years ago. It has been reupholstered more than once, but it is still working away merrily and still looks pretty good. If built to last, craftsmanship never falls from fashion.
Thus, a bespoke piece creates much more than an item of furniture or decoration. It is filled with stories, holds within it history, and it is also art. It adds a unique quality, a warmth and sense of belonging that a machine-made piece simply cannot. Take my word for it.
Next time you get the urge to make your living space a little more personal or homely, try avoiding the flat-pack aisle at your local DIY superstore and head for something made with a little more craftsmanship. Trust me, your life will never be the same. To craft or not to craft? That is the question.
