Cabinet by Elicyon, made by Rochford Joinery

To suit the modern architecture of a Westminster penthouse, Charu Gandhi, director of Elicyon, commissioned a cabinet that combines a striking wood veneer with bold lacquer. “We wanted a piece that was vintage-inspired but with a contemporary twist,” she says. “We loved the mappa burr veneer, and we also had a specific cherry red we wanted for the accent lacquer. In terms of overall design, this veneer is often found on 1920s furniture, but instead of typically bold, angular forms, we preferred softer curves. Working with Rochford Joinery, based in London, enabled us to select the specific veneer bundles in person, and also to develop the design in the workshop with the craftsmen, manufacturing in a very short lead time to a high level of quality,” says Charu, concluding: “It’s a very successful piece, a fusion of period styles creating something which is timeless.”

Peter Kasakov, project manager at Rochford Joinery, explains that it took about three weeks to make the cabinet, using a combination of computer-controlled machinery and hand-making. It was often a tricky process as the mappa burr veneer, which is limited in supply and comes in small leaves, is difficult to work with. “It is very hard and wavy when raw, so has to be soaked in a special solution to soften it, so it can be pressed to avoid any bubbling. Also, because there were so many knots, we used a matching epoxy to fill all the holes, protecting the veneer while maintaining its unique character. We don’t get to work with burr every day, but it is unique and has so much character.”

‘We loved the mappa burr veneer, and we also had a specific cherry red we wanted for the accent lacquer’