It is one of the most common questions we hear: do I need a bespoke curtain pole, or will an off-the-shelf option do the job? The answer depends on your window, your home, and what you want the pole to do. Here is an honest look at both options, so you can decide with...
Shelf brackets do not typically inspire excitement. They are, by their very nature, supporting players: there to do a job quietly and without fuss. But a well-chosen bracket made from quality materials can do rather more than hold a shelf up. It can define the character of a room, solve a storage problem with...
In this modern, interconnected world of ‘Now!’ or even sooner, it pays to keep an eye on what the current groundswell of opinion is, what people are thinking and what’s trending. To us, a trend is an ephemeral thing, born fast and soon passed. But it pays to know what is currently of particular...
Ever felt like your household is buzzing with activity? Children playing, people moving about, doors constantly opening and closing: it’s the soundtrack of a busy household. Although this can be a positive sign of a lively home, all these noises can soon become overwhelming, making it hard to unwind or focus, especially for those...
Although Spring feels like something we can only dream of, it’s not far around the corner. The sun setting at 5 pm is less than 20 days away, in some places Snowdrops are already poking their heads out and the official start of Spring is just under 2 months away. With brighter days ahead...
Christmas is a season of joy, togetherness, and cherished traditions, and at the heart of every festive gathering is the dining table. It’s where stories are shared, laughter fills the air, and delicious meals create those special moments. In this blog, we’ll explore Christmas table decoration trends for 2024 along with some of our...
Creating a welcoming and cosy atmosphere in your pub, restaurant, bar, or hotel is essential for attracting and keeping customers. One of the best ways to achieve this is by using natural light. However, it’s important to balance this with the need for privacy and comfort. This is where curtain poles and door poles...
At Made by the Forge, we’re always looking for ideas for metal products, eminently practical and long lasting of course but in the case of our new range of coat hooks, artistic too. We’ve known talented artist Cindy Lee Wright for twenty years. She specialises in wood and metal sculptures and 3D wall art. We...
Inside one of the UK’s best magazines devoted to the English countryside, November’s Country Living, you will find a supplement with the nicely punning title of ‘Handmade Tales: Britain’s Top Artisan Makers’. It was a lovely surprise to see Richard featured as one of those craftspeople on page 10 and 11. He and the...
Atmosphere isn’t only the air that we breathe (but we are still very thankful for that). It’s also the mood you make tangible in your home when entertaining friends. There is nothing kinder to complexions, visually warmer or welcoming than candlelight. While the only practical light before the invention of electricity, it’s since become...