Many times, design projects need something special, something unique to set off the entire vibe of what you’re doing in a room. Enter custom furniture design.
Yes, it sounds intimidating and like it might require skills you don’t have, but there are ways around that. Darla and Natalie’s guest on this episode is going to explain how you can pull it off.
Kelley Bishop is the owner and designer behind Steel and Plank furnishings, a custom design furniture company that she started as a second business while she was still working as an architect (she’s still partner in an architectural firm even now, BTW). Kelley has developed a custom fabrication shop that enables her to create both entire structures or custom pieces that delight her clients.
Join the conversation to hear how Kelley made the transition from architect to custom furniture designer, how she’s getting her custom wares out into the world, and how she suggests you think about offering custom-designed furniture to your clients and developing the partnerships that will enable you to do it.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:51] Darla’s upcoming speaking gigs you don’t want to miss
[5:02] What you’re going to hear from Kelley Bishop on this episode
[7:10] The frustration that moved Kelley from being an architect to a furniture designer
[14:10] How can designers get started creating custom pieces for client homes?
[17:34] The best ways to offer custom furniture design to clients
[21:50] Is it possible to design furniture that could lead to licensing agreements?
[26:32] Kelley’s newest ventures: curating and manufacturing her own lines
[30:13] The “What Up Wingnut” round

Connect with Kelley Bishop
Steel and Plank - Kelley’s business
Kelley’s Instagram: @SteelAndPlank
Steel and Plank on Pinterest
Steel and Plank on Facebook

Resources & People Mentioned
Darla is speaking at Highpoint Market with Nicole Heymer
She’s also speaking at the RESA Edge chapter - https://ResaEdgeBroward.4stagers.com
The Design Influencers Conference
Wingnut Social episode with Nicole White
Auburn University’s Rural Studio
Widell and Boschetti
Furniture Branding
BOOK: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

From architect to custom furniture designer? How did THAT happen?
In this episode, Kelley shares how she got into designing custom furniture - and the story goes way back to her childhood. Her father both modeled and encouraged her to figure things out so that she could do them herself. He was always fixing or building things on his own instead of hiring someone to do it for him. Kelley learned the lesson so well that she partnered with her Dad to rebuild an MG motorcar as a teen. Fast forward from there and apply that attitude to the design of furniture, and you’ll see how her creative, industrious bent could create some amazing pieces.
If you take the time to listen to this episode, you’ll see how Kelley's “figure it out” attitude has lead to an entirely new and profitable business that she absolutely loves, and how Steel and Plank has become a showcase for her work and the work of others who offer complementary wares. It’s a great story you’ll want to hear..
Why would you want to suggest custom furniture as a designer?
As designers, most of us are busy enough with all the moving parts of the typical design project. But we have to admit that we come across situations when something else is needed for a project, something special to bring things into focus and alignment. Could that “something” be a special piece of furniture that is truly one-of-a-kind?
Naturally, not every client is going to be interested in custom furniture pieces as part of the design package you put together for them. But some will be - and “custom” means “cha-ching” for your bank account. The beautiful part is this: Clients who are interested in custom pieces typically know that fact - and are willing to pay the extra money to have something unique in their homes.
What’s the best way to talk about custo