Stuart Scott Associates: The Finest Tailored Furniture, Handmade in England.

The Edo, Toku & Tenno Tables

Nestled away on a farm in Hilperton, Wiltshire, you will find the design studio and workshop of Stuart Scott. Once I had manoeuvred my way past the farm buildings and nearly finding my car under the wheels of the most enormous tractor, I parked up next to Stuart’s studio complete with a picturesque view of the rolling countryside. On a last minute dash to borrow a couple of Stuart’s pieces for a photo shoot last year I had the opportunity to have a quick tour of his new space. On a departure from a previous design collaboration in London, Stuart set up shop outside of London, but clearly that hasn’t stopped clients and designers making the journey down to visit him. 

Stuart explained to me today that only after what must be only a couple of years in the studio, they’re building a new barn on site to make way for a bigger workshop, new tools, machines and a bigger showroom. I better plan my next trip. His collection has certainly grown over the past few years, with collaborations with Liberty of London (you may have seen his pieces at Decorex last year) and larger scale pieces of his current designs now available for order. Stuarts cabinetry collection has certainly tripled in size. For example, his Edo Occasional Table is now available as the perfect breakfast table, and his Vertere Occasional Table has been quite rightly developed into an upholstered stool, in American Black Walnut, hand turned with a leather seat pad and twin stitched detailing. I’m waiting to see these in a hotel bar soon. Wouldn’t they be fantastic? Similar to India Mahdavi’s Bishop Stools you can find at the Coburg Bar at the Connaught Hotel in London. 

Edo Dining Table & Occasional Table 

Drawing on over 20 years experience in the industry, training at Ravensbourne College for a degree in Furniture & Product design (I completed the same degree) Stuart’s first job was for the Saudi Arabian Royal Family based in Riyadh. That must have been a steep learning curve. Following on from Riyadh, Stuart moved to Paris to work for Atelier Pierre Bonnefille. With positions at the studios of John Minshaw and Jonathan Reed post Paris, Stuart decided to begin his own business in London, which has now developed into Stuart Scott & Associates. 

Stuart has drawn on experts in the fields of upholstery and saddlery to expand his collections, his initial work always being bespoke cabinetry work, I guess it takes a pro to push you down a new path, some of my favourite pieces are a result of this direction.  

I’ve always been drawn to the Isabella Slipper & Dining Chair from his upholstered series. Named after Stuart’s daughter both of these designs fulfil such a requirement from a decorator or specifiers point of view. Clearly beautifully made, numbered and stamped, they still champion a unique design, to me at least, and I view hundreds of chairs on a monthly basis.

In a time of mass produced Italian design, the need for strong British craftsmanship, brands built to last are always going to be in demand. These dining chairs are perfectly comfortable, and now take pride of place on the 4th floor Furniture & Lighting department at Liberty in London. Upholstered in the images above in a yellow Sandra Jordan Prima Alpaca & a Tomato Holland & Sherry cotton velvet. Both designs are also available for purchase at Discover&Deliver. 

The Saddle Up Chair

Stuarts research into the work of the Master Saddler has resulted in this beautiful piece, The Saddle Up armchair. Handmade from solid timber that is sourced from Stuart’s local mill. Featuring a shoulder hide seat and back, the hide is hand crafted, edge striped, dyed and creased. The leather comes from Santa Croce sull’ Arno, a traditional tanning town in Tuscany. The hides are tanned using vegetable and natural animal fats and come in 3 colours for this chair, tan, dark brown or black. Stuart can make this piece in Walnut or Oak, and each piece arrives stamped and numbered. It actually reminds me of the Brazilian designer Sergio Rodrigues’ work. 

This Vertere Occasional Table, shown here in American black walnut, now has a brother, the Vertere Stool. Both designs are hand turned from a solid piece of timber, American black walnut or oak, they are hand stamped, and made to order.

“The role of a designer is that of a very good, thoughtful host anticipating the needs of his guests.” Charles Eames.

Images courtesy – Stuart Scott & Associates

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