The London furniture craftsmen keeping things local
A new London-based furniture business is bidding to keep production local and shake up the way people buy.
Robin Tyler and Tom Allen are good friends. The former holds a Masters in Geophysics from University College London, while the latter has run a business since the age of 19. Tom has been known to jump on the tables (…in the name of testing) and looks after the vision of the business. Robin is a perfectionist and takes a scientific, analytical approach to his work.
Robin Tyler, Co-founder of Grain said: "We've always respected each other's different approaches to doing things and seeing the world. We soon realised that between us we had the skills and ambition that were needed to get Grain off the ground.”
Between them, they have created Grain: a furniture business that is doing things differently, seeking to bridge the gap between off-the-shelf convenience and hand-built made-to-measure pieces, using a novel website application that allows people to customise their perfect piece before ordering.
Tables, desks, benches and more are hand-made in London, using digital manufacture techniques to enhance efficiency and make the products affordable. To date they have supplied similarly artisanal businesses, often independent cafes and the like, from Stratford to Holloway, as well as a host of early-adopter residential customers.
The furniture boasts useful features including cable organisers and extendable functionality, ideal for places where space is a premium.
Robin added: “Though we supply to businesses across the capital, our pieces are just as well suited to a living room, bedroom, kitchen or any other space in the home that needs a stand-out table or desk. We always design to make sure people get the most out of their space”
Each item is made to order in around 4 weeks, so customers get the added bonus of a guaranteed ‘one of a kind’ piece.
ENDS