Shop snoop around Charles Burnand. This exclusive furniture shop. It’s a sophisticated and carefully curated space that attracts local clientele on a mission to seek out discerning furniture and objects for their charming family homes and city pads. You’ll be mesmerised by the breathtaking and utterly exquisite bespoke furniture collection. This includes exceptional reconditioned mid-century modern armchairs, using the best fabric money can buy, to one-of-a-kind coffee tables. Luxury lighting includes artisan-made originals, from a hand-blown glass pendants to Tiffany-style light shades. The man behind this labour of love is the very talented Simon Stewart, who has the vision and contacts to make your wildest furniture dreams come true. He kindly took me on a private tour around his prestigious Charles Burnand showroom. The shop has since relocated to 27 Whitfield St, London W1T 2SE.
Luxury Bespoke Living Room Furniture
Charles Burnand Favourite Five Pieces
There are so many exquisite and utterly gorgeous pieces to choose from, but I finally narrowed it down to five items to share with you. I’ll start with this pair of Mid-Century Modern Armchairs. They have been reconditioned with luxurious Hermes fabric and treated to new springs and foam. I was shown the original pictures of the armchairs before they were lovingly restored; believe me, this is a fantastic transformation. Simon has the best eye in the business for spotting retro furniture with ‘good bones’ and breathing new life into these pieces so they can live on and be enjoyed for another fifty years. There is also a fantastic sofa to accompany these armchairs (see picture above). The armchair measurements are 90cm high, 90cm wide and 80cm deep – £ 5920 for the pair.
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
I just had to show you this Riccardo Sideboard, an outstanding piece of furniture designed by Simon Stewart. The curved front is a beautiful white ebony veneer with black veins running through the wood. This ghost-like veining is actually where the wood has started to rot, which is truly stunning. It’s superbly designed, with the back looking just as good as the front, so you have the option of positioning it in the middle of a room. The inside is also fabulous and is decked out with Macassar ebony, a material so beautiful that it would usually be on show. The cabinet rests upon a polished brass plinth and is finished off with handsome handles. This item is made to order with custom sizes and finishes available on request. The measurements are 90cm high, 130cm wide and 45cm in depth – £11500 excludes delivery and installation.
Riccardo Sideboard
Simon collaborates with the Italian artist Sabrina Landini, who works with precious metals (gold, silver, bronze, copper, iron and even mercury, for which you need a license) to layer over mirrors which produce incredible patinas. Sabrina creates the tabletops while Simon marries these with stunning feet, as you’ll see with this glamorous Stiletto Leg Coffee Table. Sabrina’s work is one of a kind, with their DNA, enables Simon to offer his clientele unique artisan-made coffee tables. This particular piece measures 40cm high, 125cm is wide, and 70cm in depth – £6500.
Stiletto Leg Coffee Table with Sabrina Landini Top
Skogsberg & Smart is another exclusive relationship held by Simon. They make the most beautiful lighting, which is just sensational. Their Thunderball piece is a substantial hand-blown glass ball suspended from an oversized bronze chain. This one measures an astonishing 55cm in diameter, and they are made to order. Due to its sheer size, the Thunderball can only be blown by one master blower, and thereafter it is hand-painted in translucent gold by skilled artisans to create a truly unique, bespoke pendant. The height, including the chain, is 110cm – £2100.
Thunderball Light
The last piece is the Acropolis Table Lamp. This is an elegant light in white alabaster with black steel detail. It’s ideal for placing on a console in the hallway, on a side table or positioned next to your bed. With a timeless design, it is a classic piece which will last. The measurements are 48cm high and 25cm in diameter- £1730 excludes delivery and installation.
Acropolis Table Lamp
Charles Burnand Shop and Stock
The Charles Burnand shop is named after Simon’s grandfather on his maternal side, and it’s a name Simon has always loved. It really does suit the personality of the shop, which is distinguished and original in every way.
Bond Drinks Cabinet
Simon grew up learning about interior design from his mother and would often accompany her on buying trips to Paris trade shows. His years of experience have paid off because he offers his own well-respected interior design and styling service. His skills are evident from the showroom curation, which does give you a sense of being in an exclusive residence or five-star hotel. The result is that you immediately felt at home and relaxed, so you’ll want to take your time and soak up the visual treats just waiting to tempt you.
Blue Armchairs
The collection is an eclectic and somewhat eccentric fusion of reconditioned vintage mid-century modern seating, artisan-made one of kind tables and exclusive lighting. Nearly everything in the shop can be made bespoke for the customer, whether that’s a variation on the style, size or materials. Simon often works with Italian, French and British artisans and furniture makers to ensure his offering is superior to the norm. His connections also extend to the world of fabric, and he is lucky to work with Hermes and Dedar. He holds a visual fabric library in his head and only has to look at a chair to know instantly what it should be upholstered with; I told you he was talented!
Upholstered Vintage Armchair
Aside from the pieces I’ve outlined in this feature, some of the other interesting items were intricate marble marquetry mirrors with coordinating coffee tables. You’ll love the darling Tiffany-style lamps with pleated shades and first edition glamorous Hollywood movie star Getty images in black and white, which are a collector’s dream. The furniture includes armchairs, sofas, coffee tables, console tables, sideboards and cabinets. Home accessories and decorative objects comprise of cushions, throws, trays, boxes, vases, barware, glass candle holders and much more.
Metropolitan Sideboard
Most of us aren’t keen to engage in a conversation when we browse around a shop, but this is the one place where you should. The reason is that at first glance, the furniture, lighting and decorative objects are amazing. When you discover more about each piece and how it’s been made, you begin to realise how special it is. What I love about this shop is that you can buy furniture with history or something made by a passionate and highly skilled artisan. These are investment pieces which no one else will own. It’s a real luxury when guests covert your furniture but have no idea who it is made by or where they can get one just like it. They will never be able to buy one just like it, and therein lies the beauty!
Charles Burnand Shop Information
Shop Exterior
I visited the shop at Crawford in Marylebone. Simon has now relocated to 27 Whitfield St, London W1T 2SE. For more information, visit Charles Burnand website.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. Thanks: Simon Stewart, Andrew Wiles and the person who arranged the appointment.
