Black and Key: British luxury furniture seen across the globe

Black and Key is a small family-run business with over 30 years experience in luxury furniture design and making. Their small team of  highly skilled craftsmen creates beautiful bespoke pieces in collaboration with well respected interior designers worldwide. From initial design concept to the final delivery and installation, the team is involved in every step of the project, using their design developments skills, knowledge and expertise to make any design vision a reality.

Here we talk with them about their story so far..

Can you take us back to the beginnings and tell us more about how Black & Key was started?

The Black & Key brand was initially set up as collaboration between Alistair and interior designer Karin Verzariu who sold the collection through her Chelsea Harbour showroom in West London.  When Karin retired Alistair and his wife, Nina, took over Black & Key and now run it from their base at Cornmill Road in Evesham.

The Black & Key designs can be bought as made or customised to suit.  Interior designers love it because they can order a piece, customise the dimensions to fit any space, and choose a style and finish which complements their colour palette and interiors scheme. The Black & Key range spans cabinets, sideboards, chests of drawers, modular bookcases, consoles, coffee tables, desks, bed frames, ottomans and chairs.

How important are traditional craftsmanship and sustainability to your business?

The British fashion designer, Vivienne Westwood, famously said, ‘Buy less. Choose Well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity.’

We apply such principles and ethos to every piece of furniture we create. All our furniture is proudly made in the UK, and we use UK based sub-contractors where possible. We make every effort to ensure that all timber and wood materials used in the production process is supplied under the Forest Steward Council.

Our items are high quality, durable and designed to last a lifetime – we hope that all our items of furniture can be passed down through the generations.

We are always looking at ways to improve our operations and will continuously strive to reduce our waste and carbon footprint. Black and Key is in an enviable position as it has nurtured and kept traditional craft skills in house. This means from design sketch or informal brief, working drawings and samples can be produced quickly. Our control over all production processes enables us to quickly respond to any amendment in design or finish.

Can you describe the process of working with interior designers?

Our client list includes some of the leading interior designers in the UK. Our designs can be seen all over the world, in properties that have interiors designed to the highest standard. Our repeat business with the world’s leading interior designers is a testament to our ability to develop design, combined with time served, traditional craft skills, coupled with cutting edge technology and surfaces.

What is your favourite project so far and why?

We are fortunate to have worked in collaboration with the worlds leading Interior designers – so very difficult to have a favourite. Our work has taken us to all corners of the globe and our flexible approach to design and development has seen our work in cruise liners and super yachts, airplanes and trains as well as some of the most prestigious residential addresses. The diverse and wide range of projects is both enjoyable and challenging, collaborating with interior designers who provide the pure design and vision for a piece of furniture, which we then translate into the three-dimensional piece.  This partnership and relationship between designer and craftsman is what defines the Black and Key brand.

Any new projects or furniture pieces that you can share?

The Bongo coffee table is a recent addition to the Black and Key range. This statement piece is showcased in Burr walnut throughout, inlaid with antique brass and complementing metal plinth finish. This interesting piece, with its circular construct, lends itself to both residential and commercial interiors with an infinite variety of combinations using our many finishes and veneers. We have some new pieces coming in the new year which pay homage to mid century French Furniture design and the work of Pierre Paulin.

Black and Key details

For more information and to view the full furniture collection please visit Black & Key website.

READ ANOTHER RELATED STORY HERE.