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Welder in a protective visor joining steel in a metal fabrication workshop, sparks flying
Capabilities — Metalwork

Bespoke metal fabrication,
precision in every weld

Structural steel, brass, stainless and luxury metal finishes for interior designers and architects, specified and project-managed from our London studio, then fabricated and finished in our Sussex metal workshop.

The workshop

What is bespoke metalwork?

Bespoke metalwork is the design, fabrication and finishing of metal components made to a specific brief rather than chosen from a catalogue. It covers structural and decorative work in mild steel, stainless, brass, bronze, copper and aluminium, assembled by welded or bolted joints and brought to a chosen finish through grinding, polishing, patinating, powder coating, PVD plating or liquid metal application. The work includes bespoke metal furniture, architectural metalwork (staircases, balustrades, screens, cladding), shopfitting and decorative hardware. As a bespoke metal fabricator serving London and international projects, working with interior designers, architects and procurement teams, our scope runs from CAD drawing through cutting, welding, finishing and on-site installation, with the same team responsible for the piece from brief to final fix.

Make Bespoke Studio is among the established bespoke metal fabricators serving London, working with interior designers, architects and procurement teams on bespoke metal furniture, custom metal fabrication, shopfitting, bespoke architectural metalwork and luxury metal finishes. Our metal workshop runs CNC plasma cutting, laser cutting and manual lathes alongside MMA, MIG and TIG welding bays. Specialist metalworkers produce furniture frames, shopfitting, architectural screens, decorative panels, staircases and bespoke hardware for residential and hospitality projects. Every stage — cutting, welding, grinding, polishing and finishing — is carried out under one roof.

Busy metalwork workshop with milling machines, workbenches and steel stock
01 / 16In the metal workshop
Gloved hand holding an angle grinder throwing sparks while shaping bespoke metalwork
02 / 16Sparks off the cut-off saw

CNC plasma handles structural steel at speed. Laser cutting is used for thin sheet metal where edge precision is critical — screens, decorative panels and inlay profiles cut to fractions of a millimetre. Manual lathes produce turned round sections that CNC machines cannot access: column bases, table legs and decorative hardware components. The process is chosen for each component by material, gauge and required tolerance.

MMA welding covers structural steel work. MIG is used for mid-gauge fabrication. TIG welding is reserved for precision joints in stainless, brass and other non-ferrous metals where heat control matters — it produces clean welds on thin sections without distortion. Joint types are selected by application: butt joints for flat plate assembly, full-penetration welds where structural load transfer is required, fillet welds for perpendicular connections. After welding, every joint is ground flush and worked through progressive abrasive stages before finishing begins.

Steel bars racked behind a cutting machine in a metal fabrication workshop
03 / 16Cutting bar stock to length
Engineering lathe with a brass tool post and chuck, precision metalwork machinery
04 / 16A brass fitting, close up

The route from welded fabrication to a finished surface requires multiple grinding and buffing stages. Coarse grinding removes weld bead and surface marks; abrasive blasting prepares the metal surface for specialist finishes. Successive finer abrasives establish the base surface quality. Buffing brings stainless and brass to the specified level — satin, brushed or mirror polish. Patinated and aged finishes are developed through chemical and manual processes. Powder coating is applied to mild and stainless steel to any RAL colour specification. Liquid metal finishes are applied by artisanal specialists. PVD coating is applied off-site, bonding metal vapour at the molecular level for a hardness that lacquering cannot match.

Sheet metal fabrication is part of the same workshop: forming, shearing and rolling produce panels, brackets and structural sections in mild and stainless steel. Circular saws handle steel tubing for furniture frames and architectural elements. Custom steel manufacturing covers everything from one-off statement pieces through to a coordinated package of bespoke steel fabrication across a full scheme.

Work begins with a CAD consultation and issued drawings, approved before fabrication starts. The same team manages fabrication, finishing and installation — no handoffs between maker and finisher, no separate contractors on site. Mobile welding gear travels with the install crew, so on-site adjustments are made by the same metalworkers who built the piece.

Welder working in a dark workshop with a bright arc and a shower of sparks, metal fabrication
05 / 16A welder's helmet, ready
Craftsman holding a metal piece against a bench grinder wheel to finish bespoke metalwork
06 / 16Workshop machinery
Materials
Stainless Steel

Grade 304 and 316 stainless for structural and decorative applications, hygienic, corrosion-resistant and available in brushed, polished and satin finishes.

Aluminium

Lightweight and versatile. We work with aluminium extrusions and sheet for furniture frames, lighting bodies and architectural cladding elements.

Brass

From raw castings to precision-machined components, brass is a signature material at Make Bespoke, warm, workable and responsive to a wide range of patina finishes.

Copper

Used for decorative panelling and bespoke hardware. Copper's natural patina evolves over time, developing a living quality prized in heritage and contemporary interiors.

Mild Steel

The backbone of structural metalwork — welded, ground and finished to exacting standards. Mild steel forms furniture frames, architectural screens and bespoke staircases.

Corten Steel

Weathering steel that forms a stable oxidised surface layer over time, eliminating the need for paint or coating. Specified for exterior architectural elements, garden furniture and feature screens.

Long metalwork workshop lined with lathes, milling machines and tooling
07 / 16The machine shop
Steel fabrication

Steel and metal fabrication for London projects

Make Bespoke Studio specifies and project-manages steel and metal fabrication for interior designers, architects and procurement teams on projects in London and internationally. Drawings are developed in CAD, samples and fixings are agreed before fabrication starts, and the work is fabricated and finished in our metal workshop, then installed on site. Materials include mild steel, stainless, brass, bronze, copper and aluminium, finished polished, patinated, powder-coated or in PVD colour. For the steels we fabricate, the finishes available and where each is used, see our guide to steel fabricators in London.

At a glance

Which metal for which application?

A specifier's reference. The right metal depends on the function, the finish, the environment and the budget. The table summarises what we use most often, and why. For a closer read on two finishes, see PVD steel finishes and patination.

Metal Typical applications Common finishes Why we specify it
BrassBespoke hardware, table bases, decorative trim, lighting bodiesBrushed, satin, polished, burnished, PVD, hand-patinatedWarm tone, machines and patinates predictably, signature material for luxury interiors
BronzeFurniture detail, handles, plinths, architectural ironmongeryBurnished, hammered, oxidised, dark-patinatedDevelops a deep living surface; reads as substantial and considered
Stainless steel (304 / 316)Furniture frames, kitchen surfaces, hospitality and marine fittingsBrushed, satin, polished, mirror, PVD-coatedHygienic, corrosion-resistant; 316 for exterior or marine
Mild steelStructural staircases, frames, screens, hidden substratesBlackened, powder-coated, hand-patinated, liquid metal sprayedWorkhorse of structural fabrication; takes any colour finish
CopperDecorative panelling, bespoke hardware, roofing detailPolished, brushed, naturally patinated, chemically agedSurface evolves over time; reads warm in low-light settings
AluminiumLightweight furniture frames, lighting bodies, claddingAnodised, powder-coated, brushedLowest weight-to-strength ratio; suits suspended or large-format work
Corten weathering steelExterior cladding, garden furniture, feature screensNatural oxidised patina (no coating required)Self-protecting surface; specified for exterior architectural work
Gloved hand sanding metal with an abrasive disc, orange sparks flying, metal finishing
08 / 16Grinding a weld
Micrometer dial scale on a machine tool, precision engineering for metalwork
09 / 16Precision-machined knurling

Metalwork to specify?

Send us the drawings: brass, bronze, stainless, steel or PVD, fabricated and installed on site.

Send us the drawings
Recent metalwork commissions

Named projects, named details

PVD-finished metal handrails at 77 London nightclub
PVD Handrails · Hospitality
77 London nightclub
 Blackened steel and graphite oak reception desk at St James's Square private offices
Blackened Steel · Commercial
St James's Square offices
 Laser-cut metal banquette base at The BoTree Bar
Laser-Cut Steel · Hospitality
The BoTree Bar
 Bespoke brass worktops and utility joinery at Camberwell House
Brass Worktops · Residential
Camberwell House

Recent metalwork has covered PVD-finished handrails and metal detailing for the 77 London nightclub beneath The BoTree Hotel, blackened-steel reception detailing at the 5 St James's Square private offices, laser-cut metal banquette bases for The BoTree Bar, and bespoke brass worktops and utility joinery at Camberwell House. Across these commissions the work runs from CAD drawing through cutting, welding and finishing in our metal workshop, then on-site installation by the same team.

Luxury metal finishes — brass, PVD, blackened steel, liquid metal
Burnished bronze finish with fine circular brushing in warm amber tones, metalwork sample
Burnished Bronze
PVD brass finish sample, pale champagne gold with a soft gradient sheen
PVD Brass
Brushed brass finish sample with fine vertical grain in soft gold
Brushed Brass
Burnished bronze finish sample with fine vertical brushing in darker antique gold
Burnished Bronze II
Hammered bronze finish sample with a dark pitted texture and amber highlights
Hammered Bronze
Sandblasting hood and hose on a concrete workshop floor, surface preparation for powder coat finishes
Powder Coat
Round pedestal table with a polished metal base standing on a workshop bench, bespoke metal furniture
Liquid Metal
Hand tools and a steel plate laid on a blue-painted fabrication bench
10 / 16Tools of the trade
Applications

Bespoke metal furniture, shopfitting and architectural metalwork

Bespoke metal furniture

Metal coffee tables, console tables, dining bases, bar-stool frames, decorative cabinetry hardware and one-off statement pieces. We work in brass, stainless steel, mild steel and copper, combining welded fabrication with hand-finished detailing. As bespoke brass and steel furniture manufacturers serving London and international projects, our specialist brass work covers everything from polished bar trims to dark-patinated cabinet pulls, drawing on a long history of commissions for hospitality clients and private residences. The pieces read as objects in their own right rather than catalogue components.

Shopfitting metalwork

Custom display units, point-of-sale fixtures, restaurant and bar fronts, integrated metal cladding and bespoke vitrines for retail and hospitality. We work in mild steel and aluminium where structure leads, in brass and PVD-coated stainless where the surface matters. Pieces are fabricated and finished in the metal workshop, then delivered and installed by the same team that made them.

Architectural metalwork

Large-scale architectural metalwork: bespoke staircases, balustrades, decorative screens, metal cladding panels, structural columns and feature walls. We specify Corten weathering steel for exterior work, mild and stainless for interior, with welded and bolted assemblies engineered to building-regulation tolerances. Every architectural metalwork commission begins with CAD modelling and shop drawings; nothing reaches the floor without it.

Polished steel frame edge with a pale stone slab top, architectural metalwork detail
11 / 16A welded table frame
Methodology

From CAD drawing to finished installation

Design consultation

We begin with a brief from the designer or architect, develop CAD drawings and shop drawings that detail every joint, weld and finish, then walk through the package together before any material is cut. Tolerances, fixings and finish samples are agreed before fabrication starts.

Manufacturing and assembly

CNC plasma and laser cutting establish the components; manual lathes produce turned sections; welding bays assemble the structure. Every weld is ground and worked through abrasive stages before finishing begins. Sub-assemblies are dry-fitted on the workshop floor before final finish is applied.

Installation

The same team that built the piece delivers and installs it. Mobile welding gear travels with the install crew, so on-site adjustments are made by the same team that built the piece rather than handed to a third party. Whether the brief is a single decorative panel or a full architectural staircase, the maker is the installer.

Rows of twisted flat steel bars fanned out in a radiating pattern, forged metalwork detail
12 / 16Blackened steel, stacked
Laser cutting head showering orange sparks onto sheet metal, precision metal fabrication
13 / 16Laser-cutting steel
Related
Bespoke metal finishes Liquid Metal Technology Stonework Woodwork
Angle grinder cutting a steel tube frame with a stream of sparks
14 / 16Sparks off the grinder
Frequently asked

Common questions about bespoke metalwork

What metals does Make Bespoke Studio work with?

Stainless steel (grades 304 and 316), brass, bronze, copper, mild steel, aluminium and Corten weathering steel. We also apply specialist finishes including PVD (vapour-deposited coloured metal), liquid metal (sprayed metal coatings) and chemical patination. Each metal is chosen for function, finish appearance and environment.

What is the difference between PVD and traditional metal finishes?

PVD (physical vapour deposition) bonds a coloured metal layer to a steel or stainless substrate at the molecular level, producing a finish that is harder than chrome and resistant to scratching, dulling and tarnish. Traditional lacquered or plated finishes sit on top of the metal and wear over time. PVD is specified for high-traffic and contact-heavy environments where surface durability is critical, such as the handrails at 77 London.

Do you do architectural metalwork in London?

Yes. We produce and install architectural metalwork for London and international projects: bespoke staircases, balustrades, screens, metal cladding panels, structural columns and feature walls. Every commission begins with CAD modelling and shop drawings, engineered to building-regulation tolerances. Fabrication and finishing happen in our metal workshop; the same team installs.

Do you offer steel fabrication in London?

Yes. We fabricate steel and metalwork for London and international projects, in mild steel, stainless steel (grades 304 and 316) and Corten weathering steel. Drawings are developed in CAD, tolerances, fixings and finish samples are agreed before fabrication starts, and fabrication and finishing happen in our metal workshop; the same team installs.

Can stainless steel be fabricated to a designer's drawings?

Yes. We work from your drawings or develop the design from a concept, fabricate in grade 304 or 316 stainless, and finish it brushed, polished, satin or in PVD colour. A finish sample is agreed before fabrication starts.

Can you fabricate bespoke metal furniture?

Yes. Bespoke metal furniture is one of our most-requested commissions: coffee tables, console tables, dining bases, bar-stool frames, decorative cabinetry hardware and statement pieces, in brass, stainless steel, mild steel, copper and bronze, with welded fabrication and hand-finished detailing.

What are typical lead times for bespoke metalwork?

Discrete metal furniture pieces typically run 10 to 14 weeks from approved drawings to installation. Architectural metalwork packages (staircases, balustrades, cladding) run 14 to 20 weeks depending on complexity. Specialist finishes such as high-build PVD or hand-patinated bronze add time on top. A specific programme is agreed at brief stage. See our lead times guide for the full picture.

Do you work with interior designers and architects?

Yes, primarily. We work as a manufacturing partner to interior designers, architects and procurement teams across luxury residential, hospitality and commercial projects in London and internationally. We work from your drawings, prepare samples and prototypes, fabricate in our metal workshop and install through our team. See our trade page for the full offer.

Welder in a blue-lit visor working at a worktop in a room with white wall panelling
15 / 16Gloved hands at the bench
Welder in a helmet and heavy gloves joining a metal plate beside welding equipment
16 / 16Finishing metal by hand
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