Reeve and Co Interiors produce the highest quality, handmade furniture and joinery products for many types of spaces.
Our designs are mere starting points for discussion, we can adapt and modify designs to our customers individual requirements and taste. We pride ourselves on our personable service and adaptability. We rarely have two pieces leave the workshop with the same specification one after another. Of course, we have our staple products that look so great and in proportion that they are just made to our customers size requirements. You can rely on our experience and knowledge of this industry, supplying beautiful period furniture that will stand the test of time. Let me run through our process.
We have an array of products suitable for the home, as well as commercial and office environments.
Let’s say for instance you really love our open 2 drawer bookcases and you need somewhere to store your vast collection of novels. You are on the verge of ordering online, but in your heart of hearts, you want it shorter than shown online with 2 shelves and painted to match your new drinks stand that you bought from an antiques fair last weekend. Let us know, we can accommodate. If the changes are relatively simple, such as ironmongery or panel detailing we will just amend the order and adjust manufacture accordingly. In the case of our bespoke bookcase, the Designer will issue new drawings to you, so you can be confident in your decision, the construction and that the product still looks amazing. Colour samples will be sent out to you, so you can make sure the match is spot on. Our designers are always available to offer guidance in your decision-making process.
Order is placed, you have put the delivery date in your diary, (6 to 8 weeks normally) and you are waiting with tense anticipation. Now the work starts for us. Firstly, A cutting list will be produced using our design software and archive of past cutting lists. Meanwhile, your chosen timber is selected by our experienced machinists working in the Mill. Typically, this will be Oak, Cherry, Mahogany or Walnut, however we have made many cabinets from lots of other species over the years. Depending on the finish you are hoping for, our machinists will be assessing timber thickness, how the board was sawn and character in the form of knots, pips, splits, burr, grain and medullary. The selected timber is then machined in accordance with the cutting list provided by Technical Staff. Timber will be squared up, ripped to width and planed to expose the nature and beauty within. Tenons will be cut, mortices punched, and rebates machined for jointing your piece. Finally, decorative mouldings will be machined if it can be from our extensive range of cutters.
Once the machinists in the mill have refined long boards of wood into manageable components, the shape and form of the piece will begin to take shape. Every piece will take a different journey from here depending on its purpose. For instance, our Character Refectory Table consists of a stunning top made up of varied width characterful boards and some stocky canon shaped legs that need turning on a lathe. So, the top will move into the cabinet shop and the legs will make their way into the turning booth. Some products need decorative elements that can only be provided by the skilled and traditional labour of a carver. Once this has occurred final assembly of all components will be completed in the cabinet shop by our skilled and experienced Makers. The Cabinet Makers hand will be ensuring every joint is tight and strong. That every shape, cut out or moulding is precise and beautiful. That all moving parts and hardware move freely and easily. Your piece is now finished but ‘in the white’, meaning the final phase of prepping and finishing will now begin.
Once the product arrives in the finishing shop the first step is to sand it down untill every surface is smooth and void of imperfections. Brown pieces are stained to the colour sample you will have approved and painted pieces will be primed ready for spraying colour in our spray booth. Typically, we then spray lacquer over stained pieces to add a protective layer, increasing the lifespan of your piece, reducing maintenance and adding a richness and lustre. Alternative finishes such as French polishing or oiling are also available.
Finally, Quality Control cast their judgemental eyes over the piece checking for abnormalities. Everything leaving our workshop must be to the high standard we expect. Every single person that is part of the process understands this and is passionate about the end product. We lead out every cabinet with a full Mariachi band and confetti canons before being delivered.
I hope this insight into the development and traditional manufacturing of our products has been interesting. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions.