Yours For The Making with Robin Johnson

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 art furniture, studio furniture, contemporary craft, traditional woodworking, furniture design, creative communities and the changing art market. Gareth explains why mistakes matter, how overlooked materials and processes can generate new ideas and why makers need opportunities, deadlines and pressure to push their work forward.
He also reflects on exhibiting in Milan, selling work internationally, navigating gentrification, working with galleries and creating furniture that sits between practical design and collectible art. Gareth offers direct advice for young designers, craftspeople and artists on self belief, education, risk taking and saying yes when opportunity appears.

Key Topics Covered
Gareth Neal’s career in furniture design and craftsmanship
The meaning of sculptural furniture and art furniture
The relationship between art, craft and functional design
Studying furniture design at High Wycombe
The teacher who changed Gareth’s career
Traditional woodworking and contemporary furniture design
The influence of George Nakashima and Wendell Castle
How galleries shape the collectible design market
Working with local materials and specialist craftspeople
How mistakes generate new creative ideas
Why makers need deadlines and public opportunities
Creative education and choosing the right course
Self promotion for artists and craftspeople
Why young creatives should take more risks
The BMW opportunity Gareth regrets turning down

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 Gareth Neal on rebuilding his home, workshop and creative career
06:33 What sculptural furniture means and where craft meets art
20:04 The teacher who pushed Gareth towards furniture design
28:30 The Milan exhibition that changed his career
30:47 Life inside Hackney Wick’s creative scene
38:29 The Brodgar Chair and its place in the V and A
51:25 Gareth’s people, process and place approach
54:57 Why deadlines force creative work to happen
56:24 How mistakes create better ideas
01:03:14 Advice for young makers and designers
01:05:00 The BMW opportunity Gareth regrets turning down

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 own intimate tasting menu restaurant with his wife Izzy. He explains why he rejected toxic kitchen culture, how Sri Lankan heritage influences his food, why simplicity creates better dishes and how running a ten seat restaurant allows complete creative freedom.
They discuss restaurant design, seasonal cooking, zero waste kitchens, menu development, private dining, hospitality, craftsmanship, leadership, perfectionism and the constant pursuit of improvement. Jack also reveals why Lury Restaurant was never intended to last forever and why every creative project deserves a defined lifespan.
Key Topics Covered
Becoming a chef without attending culinary school
Learning in Michelin starred kitchens
Escaping toxic hospitality culture
Working as a private chef in London
Cooking at Sotheby's with unlimited ingredient budgets
Building Lury Restaurant from scratch
Running a ten seat tasting menu restaurant
Sri Lankan influences in modern British cooking
Seasonal menus and ingredient driven cooking
Fine dining without unnecessary formality
Creativity, simplicity and refining dishes
Zero waste restaurant operations
Michelin Guide ambitions
Restaurant design and creating an immersive dining experience
Leading young hospitality teams with respect
Why creative projects should have a lifespan

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 From history student to professional chef and the obsession that changed Jack's career forever
01:38 Starting at the bottom in a kitchen and why every chef must master the basics before earning responsibility
06:26 Writing to thirty Michelin starred restaurants with almost no experience and landing his first opportunity
08:38 Inside Michelin kitchens, toxic workplace culture and why Jack walked away from the career he thought he wanted
14:28 Private chef work, Sotheby's and cooking with extraordinary ingredients for some of London's wealthiest clients
18:09 Building relationships that create opportunities and why networking matters more than talent alone
20:22 The hidden reality of private chefing, expensive ingredients, demanding clients and creative limitations
22:47 Fine dining burnout, sixteen hour shifts and why so many chefs leave the industry
33:30 Moving to Hastings, taking a huge financial risk and opening Lury Restaurant with almost no money
39:12 Renovating an entire restaurant on a shoestring budget with family help, determination and countless late nights
44:03 Why independent restaurants have more soul than expensive luxury venues
50:39 Inside Lury Restaurant and how a tasting menu creates a completely different dining experience
55:07 Dietary requirements, zero waste cooking and why every booking has to be carefully planned
57:00 Creating relaxed fine dining without unnecessary formality or traditional restaurant rules
01:02:51 Building dishes around the seasons and changing the menu almost every week
01:04:34 The Sri Lankan bread course that became the restaurant's signature dish
01:06:00 Finding a unique creative voice and why the best dishes often contain fewer elements
01:08:42 Weekly self critique, constant refinement and chasing small improvements every service
01:10:28 Why Lury Restaurant was designed as a project with a defined lifespan
01:11:45 Chasing a Michelin star and what that recognition would truly mean
01:15:07 Every detail matters from handmade crockery to locally commissioned artwork and bespoke aprons
01:20:09 The advice Jack would give his younger self about confidence, self respect and leaving unhealthy workplaces
01:23:25 Where to find Lury Restaurant, book a table and join the newsletter for exclusive events

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 antique furniture restoration, traditional craftsmanship, mirror eglomisé, gilding, bespoke furniture making and the patience required to conserve irreplaceable pieces. Rodrigo also explains why the best restoration is often invisible, how modern technology fits into a traditional workshop and why passing skills to the next generation matters more than ever.
Key Topics Covered
Antique furniture restoration and conservation
Mirror eglomisé and traditional gilding
Decorative arts and bespoke furniture making
Restoring historic pieces for Buckingham Palace
Preserving authenticity through careful restoration
Traditional craftsmanship in a modern world
Working with interior designers and private collectors
Family business across three generations
Balancing heritage with modern technology
Advice for young craftspeople entering the restoration trade

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 — Rodrigo Tizzano shares how Titian Studio began in 1963 and how three generations have built one of Britain's leading restoration workshops.
02:30 — Growing up surrounded by antiques, restoration and decorative arts before learning traditional techniques from master craftsmen.
05:20 — Why great restoration is almost invisible and why doing less often produces the best result.
09:00 — The challenge of pricing restoration work where every project reveals hidden problems and every antique demands a different approach.
10:30 — Expanding beyond restoration into bespoke furniture, mirror eglomisé and decorative finishes for luxury interiors.
12:00 — Collaborating with leading interior designers and creating one off furniture for prestigious projects including WOW!house.
15:00 — Traditional craftsmanship continues to evolve through experimentation, adapting historic techniques and lifelong learning.
17:30 — Passing a family business to the next generation while introducing digital systems, social media and modern ways of working.
24:30 — Why children should discover their own path before choosing to join a family business.
30:20 — Restoring one of the world's rarest seventeenth century cabinets and the responsibility of working on museum quality antiques.
35:00 — The ethical line between restoration, conservation and creating convincing reproductions.
38:00 — Robin shares a remarkable television restoration where only four original panels survived and the entire cabinet had to be rebuilt.
43:00 — Estimating restoration work, managing client expectations and building a sustainable specialist workshop.
45:00 — Why variety keeps creativity alive through restoration, bespoke furniture, decorative finishes and conservation projects.
48:00 — Rodrigo reveals how close he came to competing on Gladiators before an Achilles injury ended the opportunity.
52:20 — Advice for young makers about patience, persistence, choosing the right partner and building a lasting career in craftsmanship.

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 covers the evolution of the cycling industry, the rise of Far Eastern manufacturing, the growing complexity of modern bike technology, and the realities of running a premium British made brand. Jim explains how Enigma creates bespoke titanium road bikes, gravel bikes and custom bicycle frames tailored to each rider, while maintaining the quality, craftsmanship and customer service that have earned them a loyal following around the world.
For cyclists, frame builders, makers, entrepreneurs and anyone interested in British manufacturing, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of the UK's most respected bicycle brands.
Key Topics Covered
Building titanium bicycle frames in Britain
The challenges of welding titanium
Custom bike fitting and bespoke frame design
British bicycle manufacturing past and present
The decline of UK bike production
Why titanium offers a unique ride quality
Gravel bikes, road bikes and all road bikes
The rise of electronic shifting and integrated cockpits
Cycling industry trends and built in obsolescence
Surviving the post Covid cycling market
Premium products versus price driven competition
Repairing titanium bike frames
The future of British made bicycles

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 — Why titanium remains one of the most challenging materials in bicycle manufacturing
00:53 — The science behind titanium welding and creating flawless frame joints
02:48 — What makes a titanium bike feel different on the road
05:29 — Built in obsolescence and the growing complexity of modern bicycles
11:28 — Integrated cockpits, hidden cables and the maintenance debate
14:40 — The collapse of British bicycle manufacturing and why Enigma was founded
16:13 — From millions of UK made bikes to just twenty thousand per year
18:34 — The explosion of titanium bike brands and the challenge of standing out
22:44 — How Enigma designs bespoke bicycles around each rider
23:47 — Why titanium became Enigma's defining material
26:14 — Building world class frames in Sussex with a small specialist team
28:13 — Tailoring ride quality through tube selection and frame geometry
29:16 — Electric bikes, the Scarpa system and the future of assisted cycling
34:59 — Covid, the cycling boom and surviving the industry's toughest years
43:50 — Why Enigma focuses on premium quality rather than competing on price
46:43 — The value of British craftsmanship in a global manufacturing market
50:35 — Frame repairs, after sales service and long term customer relationships
52:12 — The challenge of marketing British manufacturing in a crowded market
55:30 — Jim's dream titanium bike build and the perfect all road setup
59:03 — Advice for young people considering a career in the cycling industry

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 chandeliers to sculpture, and why material experimentation remains central to his creative process. The conversation explores collectible design, luxury interiors, craftsmanship, storytelling, gallery representation, creative careers and the importance of relationships in the design world. Tom also reflects on social media, comparison culture, and why the creative industry offers more opportunities than many people realise.
Key Topics Covered
Tom Palmer's journey into sculpture and design
Growing up making things on a Sussex estate
Learning through experimentation and materials
The rise and fall of the bespoke chandelier business
Surviving the 2008 financial crash
Restoring antiques and developing specialist skills
Why alabaster became his signature material
Collectible design and the luxury interiors market
Working with galleries and interior designers
The role of storytelling in creative businesses
Design trends, craftsmanship and originality
Social media and comparison in creative careers
Advice for emerging artists, designers and makers

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 What a sculptor actually does in luxury interiors and collectible design
05:18 Growing up making things on a Sussex farm and learning through experimentation
10:58 Why Tom rejected traditional art school and chose his own creative path
12:30 Building bespoke chandeliers and landing major hotel and commercial projects
15:00 How the 2008 financial crash wiped out an entire business overnight
16:27 The shared artist studio that became Tom's real education in design and business
20:13 Restoring antiques, reverse engineering craftsmanship and learning forgotten techniques
24:03 Leaving client work behind and creating original designs under his own name
25:17 Selling work internationally and reaching luxury interior designers through FirstDibs
28:02 Collectible design explained and why the industry is changing rapidly
34:16 Why storytelling, relationships and reputation matter more than technical skill
36:26 The hidden barriers to entering the design and interiors industry
38:32 Working with interior designers and building long term creative partnerships
41:15 Creating luxury pieces for private clients that can never be shown publicly
43:51 The projects Tom is most proud of and the challenge of staying creatively fulfilled
45:07 Why alabaster became his signature material and the appeal of carving stone
46:50 Training in Italy, learning marble carving and finding his own artistic voice
48:17 Finding inspiration in Gothic architecture, medieval design and historic craftsmanship
50:53 Escaping trends, avoiding the algorithm and developing original creative ideas
52:02 Design trends, minimalism, ornament and whether craftsmanship will make a comeback
55:22 Why the best makers push beyond trends instead of copying what already works
58:11 Bronze furniture, luxury design trends and what wealthy clients actually buy
01:00:00 Why galleries, storytelling and personal reputation drive success in creative industries
01:01:21 Advice for young artists, designers and makers navigating social media and comparison
01:03:04 The opportunity hidden inside the creative industries and finding your own path forward