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PODCAST

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson

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 shows such as 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

leisure crafts

All Episodes

01:05:09

Olly Fathers on Wood Veneer Art, Marquetry and...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/10/01

Robin Johnson sits down with woodwork artist Olly Fathers to explore how traditional marquetry, wood veneer and painstaking hand cutting become contemporary geometric art. Olly shares his path from studying fine art and working as an art technician to developing a full time studio practice with his wife, Emma. He explains how years spent installing major artworks, experimenting with woodworking and making art alongside freelance jobs shaped the artist he is today.The conversation goes deep into

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01:19:07

How Architects Design Better Places: Masterplanning,...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/09/24

What makes a building work for the people who actually use it? Robin Johnson sits down with Michael Westlake and Alex Taylor of Supervene Architects to explore architecture, masterplanning and the realities of designing places that have to work for generations. From the seven year route to becoming an architect to navigating budgets, planning, construction problems and the Building Safety Act, Michael and Alex reveal how much of architecture happens beyond the drawing board.The conversation explores

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01:05:19

George Macdonald on Leaving Kid Kapichi, Finding...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/09/17

British session drummer and producer George Macdonald, known as G-Mac, joins Robin Johnson for a deeply personal conversation about life as a professional musician, leaving Kid Kapichi, creative identity, meditation, mental health, flow state and starting again. George traces his journey from discovering drums as a teenager in Hastings to touring the world, playing major venues and building a career through years of gigs, recording and sacrifice.George opens up about the difficult decision to leave

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01:05:33

Interior Design Beyond Aesthetics: Nicky Percival on...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/09/10

Interior designer Nicky Percival joins Robin Johnson to explore what professional interior design really involves, from transforming Georgian country houses and period properties to managing builders, architects, budgets and complex renovation schedules.Drawing on more than 35 years of design experience, including theatre design and television at the BBC, Nicky explains how she creates homes that feel natural, lived in and personal. Her approach combines antiques, vintage pieces, bespoke furniture

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01:00:31

The Lost Art of Bespoke Joinery with Master Joiner...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/09/03

Master joiner Tom has spent more than 20 years developing the precision, problem solving and traditional skills behind bespoke joinery.In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Tom Cottington about his journey from furniture restoration and demanding apprenticeships to complex architectural joinery at Johnson Bespoke. Tom shares lessons from restoring period furniture, learning traditional techniques and making costly mistakes that ultimately shaped his approach to

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01:02:38

From Fashion Editor to Interior Designer: Sophie...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/08/27

After 24 years in fashion, Sophie changed direction and built Côte de Folk from scratch, eventually earning recognition from House and Garden.In this episode of Yours for the Making, Sophie Rowell joins Robin Johnson to discuss career reinvention, renovating period properties, working with architects and craftspeople, and designing homes around how people actually live. She also shares why renovation budgets need contingency, why she avoids photorealistic AI renders, and how trust creates space for

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01:06:05

Crafted at PowderMills: Chris King on Reinventing the...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/08/20

What does it take to turn a tired country hotel into a destination people genuinely want to return to?In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Chris King, founder of Crafted, to explore the transformation of PowderMills in Battle, East Sussex. Set around a seven acre lake on the site of a former gunpowder mill, Crafted brings together boutique hospitality, bold interior design, British craftsmanship, wellness, food and community.Chris shares the thinking behind the

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32:02

Bespoke Joinery, Luxury Interiors and Cabinet Making:...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/08/13

What separates true bespoke joinery from furniture that has simply been made to measure?In this solo Q&A episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson answers the questions he receives most often about bespoke joinery, cabinet making, luxury interiors and running a successful joinery business.Robin explains how every detail is considered in bespoke projects, why traditional craftsmanship still matters alongside CNC technology, how materials are selected for luxury homes and hospitality

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01:00:30

Theo Silkstone: From Oxford Patent Attorney to...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/08/05

How does someone leave a career as a patent attorney to become a furniture maker?In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with furniture designer and maker Theo Silkstone to explore his unconventional journey from studying Material Science at Oxford to building sculptural furniture inspired by nature.Theo shares how renovating a cottage during lockdown changed the direction of his life, why a fallen oak tree became the catalyst for a new career and how traditional cabinet

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01:08:56

Gareth Neal on Sculptural Furniture, Creative Risk...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/07/29

Gareth Neal joins Robin Johnson to discuss his career as a furniture maker and designer, his approach to sculptural furniture and the realities of building a creative career around craft, art and design.Gareth shares how an influential teacher encouraged him to study furniture design and craftsmanship, how life in Hackney Wick shaped his work and how pieces including the Anne Table, George Chest of Drawers and Brodgar Chair helped establish his reputation internationally.The conversation explores

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01:25:57

Jack Lury on Michelin Star Cooking, Fine Dining,...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/07/22

What does it take to build one of Britain's most exciting independent restaurants from scratch?In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Jack Lury, chef and owner of Lury Restaurant in Hastings, to explore the reality behind modern fine dining, Michelin ambitions, restaurant ownership and creative cooking.Jack shares his unconventional journey from studying history and sociology to working in Michelin starred kitchens, private chefing, Sotheby's and eventually opening his

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59:36

Furniture Restoration, Antique Conservation and...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/07/15

What does it take to restore priceless antiques without erasing their history?Robin Johnson sits down with Rodrigo Tizzano of Titian Studio, one of Britain's leading restoration and decorative arts workshops. Rodrigo shares the story of a family business that has preserved historic furniture, architectural features and museum quality antiques for more than sixty years. From Buckingham Palace and the Albert Memorial to rare seventeenth century cabinets worth millions, this conversation explores

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01:02:28

Titanium Bikes, British Frame Building and Custom...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/07/08

What makes a titanium bicycle so special, and why are so few still built in Britain?In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Jim Walker, founder of Enigma Bicycle Works, to explore the craft, engineering and business of building world class titanium bicycle frames. Jim shares the story behind Enigma's mission to preserve British bicycle manufacturing, the challenges of welding titanium, and why custom bike fitting remains at the heart of their process.The conversation

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01:06:39

From Sculptor to Luxury Interiors Designer: Tom...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/07/01

How does a sculptor build a successful career in luxury interiors, collectible design and contemporary craft? In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with sculptor Tom Palmer to explore his journey from a childhood spent making things on a Sussex farm to creating acclaimed alabaster sculptures and bespoke pieces for interior designers, galleries and private clients around the world.Tom shares the lessons learned from the 2008 financial crash, his transition from bespoke

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01:03:26

Furniture Making, Social Media and Growing a Bespoke...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/06/24

George Curl, founder of Aspects Bespoke, joins Robin Johnson to share the realities of building a successful bespoke furniture and cabinet making business. From painting and decorating jobs and handyman work to running a specialist workshop creating high end fitted furniture, George explains how practical experience, social media marketing, strong client relationships and continuous learning have shaped his journey.George discusses the challenges of pricing bespoke projects, training apprentices,

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01:11:42

How Storytelling Builds Trust, Wins Clients and...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/06/17

What makes someone choose one creative business over another? In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with filmmakers Sam Christmas and Agatha Appleton-Sas, founders of True Story, to explore the power of personal storytelling, brand films, creative identity and human connection.Sam and Agatha share how True Story was born during Covid from a desire to tell meaningful human stories rather than help large companies sell products. Together they discuss the process behind

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01:04:12

How Supply 91 Became One of London's Most Awarded...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/06/10

What does it take to build a barbershop that clients actively recommend, industry leaders recognise, and customers keep returning to?In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Maxwell Oakley, co founder of Supply 91 Barbers Extraordinaire, to explore how a small lockdown startup grew into one of London's most respected barbershop brands.Maxwell shares the story behind Supply 91, from opening a tiny Islington shop with furniture from Ikea and very little cash, to winning GQ

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01:02:36

How Lulu Jacobs Turned Pottery Into a Full Time...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/06/03

Potter Lulu Jacobs joins Robin Johnson to discuss leaving a career in branding and marketing to pursue pottery full time. Lulu shares how a short course at Turning Earth turned into a full creative obsession, leading her to build a pottery business from a garden studio while raising a young family. The conversation explores the emotional highs and crushing failures of ceramics, the reality of selling handmade pottery, the pressure of social media, and the challenge of balancing creative freedom with

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58:07

How Helen Welch Built One of London’s Most Respected...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/05/27

Helen Welch, founder of the London School of Furniture Making, joins Robin Johnson for a direct conversation about teaching craftsmanship, surviving as a maker, and why furniture making still attracts people desperate to work with their hands instead of staring at screens all day. Helen reflects on leaving school early, training as a carpenter and joiner in 1980s London, and eventually building a furniture school that now teaches joinery, steam bending, furniture design, carving, and specialist

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01:16:07

How Simon Thomas Pirie Built a Bespoke Furniture...

Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson ·

2026/05/20

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

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