I have worked with Ed Johnson for many years; not only is he a master craftsman who owns and runs a prestigious bespoke furniture business, but I have been lucky enough to have him as a mentor too. We have built a strong working relationship where communication is straightforward and standards are consistently high.

Much of the bespoke work I have completed for Ed has been under NDA, but I am happy to showcase a few of his own designs featuring upholstery by Hilda’s Lounge.

To date, we have used mainly modern upholstery methods to complement Ed’s contemporary designs, but we have both been keen to move towards more sustainable options — such as natural latex, sprung interiors, and wool wadding. The L-shaped kitchen banquette units shown in the accompanying photos are a good example of this; the client was keen to explore sustainable options, so we proposed and successfully used pocket springs and latex on boards that fit snugly onto a show-wood frame.

I often complete small samples of the upholstery design on these projects. Bringing bespoke show-wood frames and upholstery parts together from two separate workshops can be tricky, and we have both learned a great deal about the variable allowances needed in upholstered items, and how difficult these can be to calculate on paper. Often, the only way to know for sure is to make a version and test it.

Photo credits: Edward Johnson Studio