In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson speaks with Joe Perkins, one of Britain’s leading garden designers and three-time Chelsea Flower Show gold medallist. Joe shares the behind-the-scenes reality of the 18-day build at Chelsea, his collaboration with the King’s Trust, and how garden design is evolving to meet the challenges of climate change and sustainability. From designing resilient landscapes in Tunisia to creating inclusive public spaces at Sheffield Park, Joe reveals how creativity, ecology and craftsmanship combine in modern landscape design.

Listeners will gain insight into the design process, the emotional depth of working on war cemeteries, and practical advice for transforming home gardens into green, vibrant spaces.

Key Topics Covered

• Behind the scenes of the Chelsea Flower Show and the 18-day build
• How Joe Perkins designed a garden for the King’s Trust
• The growing importance of sustainable and climate-resilient design
• The emotional and technical challenges of designing war cemeteries
• The value of collaboration between designers, makers and craftspeople
• Ecological planting and the role of fungi and native species
• Joe’s advice for young designers starting out
• Practical tips for improving your own garden

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Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

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.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

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

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

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.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

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

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Russell Birt from Birt Williams Bespoke Joinery in Eastbourne. Russell shares his journey from restoring a 1974 Volkswagen camper to running a thriving joinery business. He opens up about taking over a workshop at 31, surviving accidents and setbacks, and building a partnership that balances traditional hand skills with modern CNC technology.

The conversation covers conservation joinery, the challenges of pricing and time management, the value of apprentices, and why quality always wins over speed. Packed with insight for makers, joiners, woodworkers and anyone passionate about craft, this episode explores the realities of keeping traditional skills alive while adapting to the pressures of modern business.

Key Topics Covered

• Russell’s journey from VW restoration to professional joinery
• Buying and running a joinery business at 31
• Balancing traditional craftsmanship with CNC machines
• The importance of conservation joinery in heritage projects
• Pricing jobs and managing client expectations
• Running a small workshop with a business partner
• Work-life balance and flexibility in joinery
• Passing skills to apprentices and the next generation
• Why quality matters more than cutting corners
• Future goals for Burtt Williams Bespoke Joinery

Enjoying the show?

Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.

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.

Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.

Key Moments:

00:00 – Introduction to Russell Burtt and the joinery community in Eastbourne

01:00 – From VW restoration to pursuing joinery

02:00 – Buying a workshop at 31 and early challenges

05:00 – Business setbacks and recovery with new partnerships

09:00 – Adapting to quieter markets and investing in CNC technology

13:00 – Balancing tradition with modern machines

17:00 – Ownership of projects and importance of the finish

20:00 – Campervan interiors and CNC opportunities

25:00 – Pricing challenges and managing time effectively

33:00 – Balancing office work and workshop life

39:00 – The joy of making and rekindling passion

43:00 – Passing skills down through apprenticeships

46:00 – The future of conservation joinery

54:00 – Favourite parts of joinery and the love of timber

01:00:00 – Challenges of conservation work and heritage restrictions

01:06:00 – Partnerships, flexibility, and running a small workshop

01:10:00 – Why quality work builds reputation and wins clients

01:11:00 – Advice for young joiners starting out