How Simon Thomas Pirie Built a Bespoke Furniture Business That Lasted 30 Years
Yours For The Making with Robin JohnsonShow Notes
Robin Johnson sits down with furniture maker and designer Simon Thomas Pirie to discuss the reality of building a long term creative business in Britain. Simon shares his journey from studying fine art and discovering woodworking through Hook Park, to running a respected bespoke furniture workshop in Dorset for nearly three decades. The conversation explores furniture design, apprenticeships, CNC technology, kitchens, direct client work, workshop culture, scaling a creative business, and the pressure of balancing craftsmanship with commercial survival. Simon also reflects on leadership, hiring the right people, working with architects and interior designers, and why British furniture making struggles without proper industrial support. Key Topics Covered Building a bespoke furniture business from scratch Hook Park and the influence of John Makepeace Fine art, furniture design, and creative career paths The reality of running a small workshop business Why direct client relationships matter Kitchens versus freestanding furniture projects CNC machines and modern furniture production Hiring apprentices and training young makers Workshop culture and team dynamics Expanding into larger workshop spaces British furniture making versus European manufacturing Creative burnout and staying inspired after 30 years Garden bench production and Chelsea Flower Show Working with architects and interior designers Legacy, craftsmanship, and long term creative work
Enjoying the show? Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world. Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love. Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms. Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.
Key Moments: 00:00 Growing up around woodworking 01:41 Discovering furniture making 02:48 Learning at Hook Park 05:20 Teaching furniture design 08:25 Starting the workshop 10:14 The struggle of solo makers 11:30 Kitchens and commercial projects 16:30 Design influences and style 21:50 Expanding the workshop 26:36 CNC technology and production 31:42 Workshop culture and apprentices 50:45 Problems with creative education 58:59 Becoming a furniture maker 01:02:57 Bespoke furniture versus products 01:08:03 Recycled timber projects 01:09:02 Advice to his younger self
More from Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson
In this solo episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers three of the questions he gets asked most about building Johnson Bespoke: how the business grew, how he manages a team and clients, and how the company wins high value joinery projects. Robin shares how Johnson Bespoke expanded from himself and one employee to a team of 20 working across five workshops, with specialist facilities for CNC machining, veneer production and finishing.
Monique Lucas is the founder and presenter of The New Makers TV, a YouTube series dedicated to telling the stories of British makers, craftspeople and independent creative businesses. After working across interiors, homeware, textiles and content, Monique created The New Makers to give craftspeople a platform to show how their work is actually made and why it matters. In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson and Monique explore the changing world of British craft, the realities of running a maker led business and the growing desire for handmade products as AI and mass production accelerate. Monique shares why understanding materials and production can help people make more intentional purchasing decisions, while the conversation tackles greenwashing, sustainability, social media, influencer culture and the pressure on makers to become content creators. Monique also reveals how The New Makers grew from fewer than 100 views per episode to one video reaching 54,000 views, and why patience, conviction and enjoying the creative process matter when building an audience online.
Interior designer Christian Bense joins Robin Johnson to explore how thoughtful interior design balances architecture, art, history and the personality of the people who live there. Christian shares his journey from South Africa to London, launching Christian Bense Interior Studio shortly before Covid and building a practice recognised by House & Garden. He explains why his studio avoids a fixed house style, how contemporary and traditional interiors can coexist, and why art, proportion, composition and architectural detail matter more than following trends. The conversation also explores designing period properties, creating interiors with longevity, managing residential projects from concept to completion and building a creative business without losing involvement in the work. Christian discusses plans for a furniture collection centred on timeless staple pieces, the thinking behind his interior design platform The Basic Principle, and the lessons learned from 14 years in the industry. Key Topics Covered ✦ Christian Bense’s journey from South Africa to becoming a London interior designer ✦ Building Christian Bense Interior Studio and gaining industry recognition ✦ Why the studio deliberately avoids a signature house style ✦ Combining traditional architecture with contemporary interior design ✦ Using art to create personal, characterful and layered homes ✦ Restoring character and respecting the history of period properties ✦ Designing timeless furniture instead of following interior trends ✦ Building a creative career while learning to enjoy the process
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What makes a building work for the people who actually use it?