The Art of Handmade Furniture with Andrea Felice

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Andrea Felice, the Italian-born furniture maker behind Andrea Felice Bespoke Furniture. Andrea blends traditional joinery with sculptural design, creating handcrafted pieces that balance artistry, craftsmanship, and functionality.

He shares his journey from his family’s furniture business in Italy to building a bespoke studio in London, his collaborations with designers like Rebecca James, and the challenges of preserving artisan skills in a world dominated by mass production and CNC machines. Andrea also opens up about the pressures of running a small workshop, the role of tools in inspiring design, and why patience and persistence remain essential for anyone entering the trade.

Key Topics Covered

• Andrea Felice’s journey from Italy to London and starting his own studio
• The balance between artistic integrity and financial survival in furniture making
• Challenges of scaling a small artisan business
• The value of prototyping and one-off projects
• The future of bespoke craftsmanship in a technology-driven world
• The role of tools as inspiration and creative drivers
• Work-life balance and managing client relationships
• The skills gap in joinery and the importance of apprenticeships
• Collaboration with designers and creating unique collections
• Advice for young people entering woodworking and furniture design

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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.

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Key Moments:

00:00 – Robin introduces Andrea Felice and his hybrid artisan approach

02:00 – Merging traditional training with sculptural design

05:30 – Complex projects and the value of prototyping

08:40 – Why bespoke work costs more than mass production

14:00 – CNC machines versus traditional craftsmanship

18:20 – Growing up in an Italian furniture-making family

22:50 – Starting a business in London and surviving the 2008 downturn

29:00 – Gentrification and the loss of artisan workshops in London

32:40 – The lasting value of handcrafted furniture

35:20 – Running a business with a partner and dividing responsibilities

43:00 – Work-life balance, filtering clients, and reducing stress

53:00 – The skills gap in joinery and training apprentices

1:02:00 – Sources of inspiration from tools, materials, and nature

1:08:40 – Collaboration with designer Rebecca James and their collection

1:15:00 – The obsession with tools and workshop life

1:18:30 – Andrea’s advice for aspiring woodworkers: patience and persistence