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Furniture Atelier Design

Handcrafted designer furniture & studio commissions

Bespoke furniture crafted with precision and conscience

We design and build custom pieces that balance enduring function with refined aesthetics. Working in small batches, our atelier blends traditional joinery and hand finishing with modern production techniques to deliver tables, seating and storage solutions that age gracefully. Each commission begins with a material conversation—selecting sustainably sourced timbers and finishes chosen to highlight grain and patina—then moves through detailed drawings, mockups and studio fabrication.

Clients include interior designers, boutique retailers and discerning homeowners who value long-term quality and bespoke solutions. We offer design consultation, prototype sampling and full project management for installations and deliveries.

Phone: +351964947106
Address: Quinta da Maia, R. Cmte. Sacadura Cabral 55, 3030-333 Coimbra, Portugal
Email: furnitureatelierdesign@icloud.com
atelier workbench and finished furniture

Studio Profile — craft, material knowledge, and considered design

The studio was founded by designers and master joiners with a shared commitment to long-lasting craft. Our approach begins with close listening to a client’s needs—how a space functions, who uses it and the tactile qualities they value—and then translates these constraints into detailed joinery solutions. We prioritize structural honesty: connections reveal craft rather than hide it, proportions are tuned for longevity, and finishes enhance rather than obscure the natural character of solid woods and responsibly sourced veneers.

Beyond aesthetics, material stewardship is critical. We work directly with regional sawyers and certified suppliers to source woods with known provenance, preferring reclaimed or FSC-certified timbers when possible. Each commission includes a documentation pack detailing materials, care instructions, and finishing notes so owners can maintain pieces for generations. Our in-house workshop supports small-batch production, prototype testing and custom metalwork, enabling tight quality control at every step.

Educationally, we host occasional studio days and apprenticeship slots to pass on practical skills; this keeps craft knowledge alive and informs our process improvements. We believe furniture should serve daily life, retain repairability and celebrate the hands that made it.

studio team shaping a tabletop

Studio Advantages — why our furniture endures

More insights
selection of crafted furniture

Material provenance and sustainable sourcing

We invest significant effort into the traceability of materials: our partnerships with regional mills and reclamation yards mean that timber is selected for quality, stability and ethical sourcing. Rather than choosing the least expensive stock, we evaluate drying history, grain clarity and presence of natural defects that can be celebrated in design. For projects requiring minimal new timber we employ reclaimed components that are re-milled and matched to new elements; this reduces embodied carbon and enriches a piece with layered history. In addition to wood sourcing, we select non-toxic finishes and hard-wearing adhesives that support indoor air quality while ensuring longevity. The result: furniture that is not only beautiful at first sight but that also offers predictable dimensional stability and the capacity to be repaired rather than discarded, reinforcing a circular approach to material use.

Traditional joinery fused with modern precision

Our structural approach blends centuries-old joinery techniques with contemporary accuracy. Mortise-and-tenon, dovetail and housed joint strategies are applied where movement, load and longevity demand them, while CNC-assisted milling and jigs ensure repeatability and tight tolerances. This hybrid method preserves the tactile character of handmade connections while eliminating fit issues common in hand-only production. Components are test-fitted, adjusted and often left to acclimatize prior to final assembly to minimize stress and movement over seasons. With this method, end-users experience stable joints, reduced squeaks or loosening, and an overall resilience that stands up to daily use across decades.

Design for repairability and lifecycle value

One of our guiding principles is that furniture should be serviceable: fasteners are chosen for accessibility, wear surfaces are replaceable and finishes are applied in a way that allows localized repair. Rather than concealed permanent glues and inaccessible assemblies, we favor mechanical fixes that enable re-finishing or component replacement without destroying a piece. This design-for-repair ethos increases lifecycle value and aligns ownership with stewardship—clients seldom need to replace whole pieces because worn elements can be renewed. We provide care guides and offer service appointments for refinish, stabilization and modifications, ensuring that significant investments remain relevant to evolving interiors.

Prototype-driven collaboration and transparent process

For bespoke commissions we follow a transparent process: initial sketches, detailed CAD views, sample joints and finish swatches, followed by a full-scale mockup when appropriate. This prototype-first philosophy reduces surprises at delivery and deepens client confidence in material and scale decisions. Communication is structured via checkpoints where adjustments are logged and approvals recorded. We also maintain clear timelines and openly discuss constraints—such as lead times for specific timbers—so clients can plan installations and budgets with certainty. The studio environment is collaborative, welcoming interior designers to review mockups and participate in final aesthetic decisions.

Small-batch production with consistent quality control

Working in small batches allows us to keep exceptional attention on each item without the compromises typical of mass production. Each batch follows documented quality-control checks: dimensional verification, joint fitting audit and finish inspection. This model also permits subtle iterations—slight refinements that improve ergonomics and surface uniformity—without impacting delivery timelines. Clients buying a limited series receive matching aesthetic standards across pieces while still benefiting from the craftsmanship associated with hand-finished work.

Tailored finishes and surface engineering

Our finishing suite ranges from hand-rubbed oils that accentuate grain to durable catalyzed finishes for high-traffic surfaces. Finish choices are selected to balance look, tactile quality and lifespan: porous oil systems that allow easy spot repair, or more resilient multi-layer coatings for tabletops and kitchen surfaces. We also apply specialty techniques like tinted oils, inlay accents and metal patinas to complement design language. Before full finishing we apply test panels so clients understand the final effect under different lighting and use conditions. The outcome is an ensemble of surfaces engineered to match the intended function of each piece while maintaining aesthetic coherence across a collection.

Services — studio offerings from concept to delivery

Custom Commissions & Bespoke Builds

Full-service commissions for one-off pieces or coordinated furniture for an entire room. Includes consultation, drawings, mockups and final fabrication. We manage dispatch and installation, ensuring proper site fitting and finish touch-ups for a flawless handover.

Limited Edition Collections

Small, numbered runs that explore material experiments and refined design language. Each collection includes consistent detailing and documentation on materials and finish so collectors receive coherent series with archival notes.

Restoration & Refinish

Careful restoration for antiques and cherished family pieces, or re-finishing to modern standards while preserving original character. Work includes structural stabilization, pest treatment if needed, and sympathetic surface restoration.

Studio Fabrication for Designers

Production partnerships for interior designers and small brands who need limited production runs with reliable tolerances, consistent finishes and discreet white-label options for retail or client installations.

Prototype & Sample Making

Rapid prototyping and sample work to vet form, ergonomics and finish choices before committing to larger production. This reduces risk and clarifies expectations for both aesthetics and function.

Installation, Logistics & Aftercare

Door-to-room installation, custom crates and conditioned transport tailored to protect surfaces in transit. Aftercare options include scheduled maintenance, re-oiling, and repair visits to ensure longevity.

Studio capabilities & equipment

  • Precision CNC milling and hand-finishing benches
  • Humidity-controlled timber acclimatization area
  • Metalwork cell for bespoke hardware
  • Dedicated finishing room and spray booth

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fabrication and finishing

How to commission

Start with a short brief via the contact page or request an in-studio consultation. For larger projects we recommend a paid design phase that includes measured drawings and a prototype stage; for smaller commissions we can often proceed directly to mockups and fabrication.