ABOUT
With a BA (Hons) in Industrial Design and Manufacture (Furniture) I have worked for some of the industry’s leading furniture companies including Habitat, Tom Dixon, Luke Hughes, Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson. I ran my own award-winning consultancy from 2002 to 2018 and now I design for private clients as well as being Co-Founder and Creative Director of Huckleberry Home. I also consult for businesses in product design and development through my knowledge of manufacturing processes and spatial design. Having worked extensively in property renovation and the design and build of a villa in Sicily, I enjoy the collaborative process of working with interior design professionals, architects and developers.
Awards include Kitchen Design of the Year 2015, Kitchen Designer of the Year 2012 and 2015 (finalist 2014), shortlisted for the Homes & Gardens Kitchen Designer of the Year 2014.
As a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and I currently sit on the Bespoke Guildmark Committee that awards the UK’s finest furniture makers. I have mentored students and recent graduates on the Committee for Young Designers. I also give talks on furniture design and helped establish the UK’s first ever degree course in Kitchen Design.
I believe a strong sense of proportion and the right materials go hand-in-hand. My passion for architectural design, shapes, structures and materials – both classical and contemporary – is a huge influence on my work.
HOW I WORK
Building a close working relationship with my clients is an important first step. I find the best way to start on a project is with a blank piece of paper and an open mind. Clients may want designs for fitted or freestanding furniture, a complete house project or simply to find a way forward with a concept. And for me it’s all about asking questions: the more I can understand their requirements, the easier it becomes to build a true picture of what’s needed to achieve an outstanding result.
I offer a complete design service, which is tailor-made to each client. This means understanding at an early stage what is needed to enable your project to succeed. Visuals, technical drawings ready for manufacture, lighting plans and M&E proposals are all part of the the service offered. The first step is to give me a call or email me.
WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS & INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Having many years experience working with professionals, I understand their requirements. I have the ability to work through complex issues especially when time is of the essence. Key to all of this is a common understanding of what needs to be delivered to the client on time and on budget. It may be that you already have a chosen design but need to value-engineer the concept. I have an extensive knowledge of manufacturing and am able to suggest alternative cost-effective methods of making.
TESTIMONIALS
"We interviewed eight different designers. They were happy to design what we wanted but they weren't offering something new, refreshing or innovative. Matt pushed us in terms of design: I wanted a white kitchen but he's given us something far better because it's innovative and unique. At design meetings, we brainstormed concepts together and he continuously sketched ideas - it was such a pleasure to be presented with such helpful drawings. Matt stretched us so we could see beyond the high street. He sounded us out in terms of what we wanted in a kitchen, and how brave we were prepared to be with the design. Matt guided us, choosing the right colours and giving us different concepts. His insight into what was possible technologically was immensely valuable. He listened to our concerns and our expectations and was great to work with because he is so easy to communicate with. We really enjoyed the relationship.
Now we have a gorgeous kitchen that everybody is wowed by. I look forward to going into my kitchen every day and I know that every single door and cupboard was custom-designed for me. It was a special experience."
RM, private client, Marlow
"We have worked with many kitchen and furniture designers over the years. However, Matt is head and shoulders above the rest. He is highly professional and an extremely talented designer. He took our initial design concept and developed it into a truly remarkable bespoke design for a kitchen, wine room and entertainment kitchen which our mutual client is utterly delighted with. His attention to detail is second to none. I look forward to working with Matt for years to come. Highly recommended."
John Stefani, Stefani Design
