Meet Richard Jackson

When I look back over the last thirty years, it is hard to believe how quickly the time has passed.

I have spent much of my life surrounded by timber, tools, drawings and the people who share my passion for making things properly. What started as a small beginning in 1994 has grown into a business that I am incredibly proud of — but for me, it has always been about much more than furniture.

It has been about making things with purpose, taking pride in the details and creating something that will stand the test of time.

The story of Charles Vivian is also a deeply personal one.

The name comes from my grandfather, Charles Vivian, a celebrated author and creative whose imagination and love of creativity had a lasting influence on me. His name has always carried a sense of individuality and excellence, and when I began building the company, it felt natural to carry those qualities forward.

I wanted to create a business that reflected those values — one where creativity and craftsmanship went hand in hand, and where the quality of the finished piece mattered just as much as the idea that inspired it.

A name with meaning

Charles Vivian was more than simply a name chosen for a business. It represents a connection to family and to the values that have influenced me throughout my life.

Creativity. Craftsmanship. Integrity. Excellence.

These principles have remained at the heart of the company from the very beginning.

Thirty years of craftsmanship

Over the past three decades, I have had the privilege of working on an extraordinary variety of projects — from individual pieces of furniture to complete bespoke kitchens, cabinetry and interiors.

One of the things I love most about bespoke furniture is that no two projects are ever the same.

Every client has different ideas, different spaces and different ways of living. Our job is to listen, understand and then turn those ideas into something beautifully made and entirely personal.

There is something particularly satisfying about seeing an idea develop from a conversation or a simple sketch into a finished piece of furniture.

You start with an idea.

Then come the drawings, the choice of materials, the making and the finishing.

And finally, you stand back and see something that didn't exist before — something made specifically for one person, one family and one home.

From humble beginnings

The company has certainly evolved since those early days.

We have embraced new technology, developed our design processes and continued to build a talented team of craftspeople. But while the way we work has changed in many respects, one thing has never changed:

our belief in making furniture properly.

Modern technology allows us to design with incredible precision, but there is still no substitute for the skill of an experienced maker.

The feel of timber beneath your hands.
The precision of a perfectly made joint.
The satisfaction of a beautifully fitted drawer.
The final finishing touches that bring a piece to life.

These are the things that make bespoke furniture special.

Looking back — and looking forward

Thirty years gives you plenty of time to learn.

You learn from the materials, from your team, from your clients and, perhaps most importantly, from the mistakes along the way.

But I still approach every new project with the same curiosity I had when I started.

There is always another piece to make, another idea to explore and another detail to get right.

That is what keeps me passionate about what I do.

Charles Vivian may carry my grandfather's name, but the story belongs to all of us who have helped shape the company over the years — our craftsmen, our clients and everyone who has shared our belief that beautifully made furniture is worth investing in.

After thirty years, I am as passionate as ever about creating furniture that is not simply made for today, but made to become part of a home's story for years to come.

Thirty years of craftsmanship.
One family name.
A lifetime of making.

Charles Vivian

Bespoke kitchens. Fine furniture. Exceptional craftsmanship.

Designed with you. Crafted by us. Made to last.