The Art of Handmade Furniture with Andrea Felice

In this episode of Yours for the Making, Robin Johnson sits down with Andrea Felice, the Italian-born furniture maker behind Andrea Felice Bespoke Furniture. Andrea blends traditional joinery with sculptural design, creating handcrafted pieces that balance artistry, craftsmanship, and functionality. He shares his journey from his family’s furniture business in Italy to building a bespoke studio in London, his collaborations with designers like Rebecca James, and the challenges of preserving artisan skills in a world dominated by mass production and CNC machines. Andrea also opens up about the pressures of running a small workshop, the role of tools in inspiring design, and why patience and persistence remain essential for anyone entering the trade.Key Topics CoveredAndrea Felice’s journey from Italy to London and starting his own studioThe balance between artistic integrity and financial survival in furniture makingChallenges of scaling a small artisan businessThe value of prototyping and one-off projectsThe future of bespoke craftsmanship in a technology-driven worldThe role of tools as inspiration and creative driversWork-life balance and managing client relationshipsThe skills gap in joinery and the importance of apprenticeshipsCollaboration with designers and creating unique collectionsAdvice for young people entering woodworking and furniture designEnjoying the show?Leave a review, follow us, and share the episode with a fellow maker. New episodes every week with artists, designers, craftsmen and creators from around the world.Yours for the Making with Robin Johnson is the podcast that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of making. Hosted by Robin Johnson — founder of Johnson Bespoke and BBC presenter on The Travelling Auctioneers, The Restorers, Woodland Workshop — this podcast dives into the stories of makers from all walks of life. From woodworkers, metal fabricators, and chefs to artists, designers, and hobbyists, each episode offers real conversations with the people behind the things we love.Whether you're a hands-on creative, aspiring artisan, or simply curious about how things are made, this podcast offers inspiration, insight, and practical wisdom. Expect behind-the-scenes stories, lessons in process and passion, and a celebration of the maker movement in all its forms.Subscribe now and follow Yours for the Making wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts.Key Moments:00:00 – Robin introduces Andrea Felice and his hybrid artisan approach02:00 – Merging traditional training with sculptural design05:30 – Complex projects and the value of prototyping08:40 – Why bespoke work costs more than mass production14:00 – CNC machines versus traditional craftsmanship18:20 – Growing up in an Italian furniture-making family22:50 – Starting a business in London and surviving the 2008 downturn29:00 – Gentrification and the loss of artisan workshops in London32:40 – The lasting value of handcrafted furniture35:20 – Running a business with a partner and dividing responsibilities43:00 – Work-life balance, filtering clients, and reducing stress53:00 – The skills gap in joinery and training apprentices1:02:00 – Sources of inspiration from tools, materials, and nature1:08:40 – Collaboration with designer Rebecca James and their collection1:15:00 – The obsession with tools and workshop life1:18:30 – Andrea’s advice for aspiring woodworkers: patience and persistence