Acting as creative directors, designers and makers on the upcoming release of Loch Lomond's oldest whisky to date: a 50-year-old single malt produced in the early months of the distillery, in 1967, forced us to delve deeply into the wonderful world of rare malt whisky (it's a tough job sometimes)

The Distillery, on the banks of Loch Lomond, is one of Scotland's best kept secrets, and is highly progressive and fiercely independent. Combine this with their 'Never follow' ethos and a really special liquid, and you have a fascinating brief. 

Loch Lomond opened their doors and welcomed us in from the very beginning of the process, allowing us full access and exhaustive tasting sessions. This time spent on site with their passionate team; understanding the processes, people and heritage of the place, really allowed us to get under the skin of the project and create something special. Something fitting.

There are precious few distilleries named after a body of water as opposed to a place, so we also drew inspiration from the power of Scotland’s most romantic, dramatic and historic loch. 

The feeling you get when you see moonlight dancing on the water – that chill down your spine – that is what we were trying to evoke.

Each chest is individually sculpted at our workshop from solid oak, to appear to be a three dimensional manifestation of tempestuous water at twilight. This method of randomised shaping means that depending on the maker (and his mood) on that particular day, the form and ripple of the waves is one-of-a-kind.

The surface is indigo-dyed until almost black, heavily waxed and brushed until smooth and silky, and lined in de-boss-detailed tan leather and polished brass.

When it came to creating a miniature of the 50 Year Old (to taste) to secrete within the chest, we didn’t want to follow with an ordinary bottle. So hidden (in plain sight) within the chest is a solid turned brass vial, reminiscent of and paying homage to the distilleries unique straight neck ‘Lomond Stills’ The vial is highly polished and lined in glass.

The Tempest film was created in close collaboration with our good friends at the Edinburgh Film Company, and includes music from longtime Method colluder Engine7 - with strings from our very own cabinetmaker/concert violinist Edward, and his talented wife Mari (recorded in a session which took place in our workshop, amongst the trees) 

Limited to 60 decanters worldwide

Oak, leather, brass & glass

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

’So. F&$#ing. Cool!’ 

Panos Mytaros - CEO Ecco Leather

Developed, designed and painstakingly hand-built in-house, the Factory Petit was created for the world's most progressive tannery - Ecco Leather - to de-mystify the companies incredible artisan craft production processes - by bringing them out into the world

But this is no prop. 

Requiring over 4000 hours and 1200 metres of solid ash to bring to life, the series pushes the boundaries of traditional hardwood construction with a series of pieces which is elegant, agile and luxurious - whilst remaining unequivocally industrial. 

A truly nomadic factory.

Internally the series houses a complete collection of heavy duty industrial machinery (cunningly concealed cast iron stitching machines, state of the art multi-speed polishing machines etc) but the modular design and customised castor system allow each trunk to be moved, combined and set-up by virtually anyone. Anywhere. 

We worked closely with Ecco Leather's skilled team - the most dedicated and imaginative leather designers in the world- attending their renowned  3-day Hotshop leather laboratory event in the Netherlands on two occasions, collaborating at the Bread and Butter fashion event and Tempelhof in Berlin and welcoming the team to our studio - to fully understand their unique needs.

The series has now been used - in various incredible set ups - as far afield as Dubai, Japan and Australia, itself travelling in bespoke style, in a custom-fitted shipping container, designed and tailored by our team.

Ash, organic leather, brass, steel, HDPE, perspex & acrylic

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

'We are delighted to have worked with Method Studio. Their quest to expand their traditional and deep-rooted skills into contemporary frontiers, coupled with their passion for meticulous finish and inscrutable attention to detail, is one wholeheartedly shared by Vacheron Constantin'

Celine Larose, UK Brand Director, Vacheron Constantin

Commissioned by the oldest watchmakers in the world, this bespoke chest was conceived to house a one-off tourbillon minute repeater (valued at $1M) created specifically to celebrate the opening of the brand’s very first UK boutique.

Given the reason behind the commissioning of the piece, strong material links with the UK were key to our thinking on palette. And, to be in-keeping with Vacheron Constantin’s tradition of supporting traditional artisan crafts, we felt that having a generational aspect to the craftsmanship would also be very appropriate.

To these ends, the beautiful brown oak was sourced from the Althorp estate in Northampton, ancestral seat of Princess Diana, and the eventual design blended the work of father and son/master and apprentice - with Callum Robinson hand-making the chest and his father, David Robinson, detailing it with handcarving.

The interior houses a collection of specialist watch tools - each recessed in it's own individually custom-made and suede lined solid oak jewellers drawer. The case also contains a winder, a resonator and a bespoke calf leather and brown oak travel case - custom made and hidden in a secret compartment under the watch.

The piece has been exhibited at both the Royal Academy of the Arts in London, and Edinburgh's prestigious Dovecot gallery.

Brown oak, calf leather, bridle leather, superfine suede, bronze & brass

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures & Andy Bell Images

A single oak tree from the highlands of Scotland.

Over 600 hours.

Over 1000 custom components.

One extraordinary project - handcrafted in Scotland - combines the art of whisky blending with the craft of creating remarkable bespoke objects. 

In one of the most challenging and labour intensive commissions we have ever undertaken, and working closely with Johnnie Walker's master blender Dr Jim Beveridge, the studio developed and designed a very special series of tailor-made travelling trunks; housing all of the instruments, rare liquids and glassware he requires to create the legendary John Walker & Sons™ signature blend, anywhere in the world.

The Master Blender's trunks were crafted from a single oak tree, sourced from a very special secret location, on the banks of the river Spey, on the Kinrara Estate near Aviemore in the highlands of Scotland. 

This emphasis on place, provenance and the importance of water is no accident. These ingredients are as fundamental to the art of whisky blending as they are to fine cabinetmaking.

Each of the three trunks, which - when combined - form the Master Blender's Trunk, are detailed in the beautiful, Tokyo-tan organic leather, solid brass, glittering gold-leaf and thick bridle leather.

The trunks are an invaluable tool in the remarkable bespoke whisky blending process - undertaken with a only a very lucky chosen few - by Dr Beveridge.

Truly a humbling project, and one which again combines some of our favourite things; whisky, wood...and the dramatic reveal.

Scottish oak, brass, bridle leather & gold leaf

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 443 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

 ‘A Virtuoso piece of contemporary craftsmanship...combining a very down-to-earth and practical understanding of the project with their own remarkable conceptual sensitivity’ 

Liam Maher, Design Director, DENHAM

Working closely with the design team at cult Dutch jeanswear label DENHAM, we created our own modern interpretation of the classic portmanteau steamer trunk. A trunk built from the finest natural materials - which, like the best selvedge denim, would age and develop a unique patina over time.

A steamer trunk for a jeanmaker

Drawing inspiration from birch-bark canoes and bi-plane wing construction, the lightweight, birch-skinned trunk contains over 600 meticulously interlocked components, all individually handcrafted.

This piece was customised and detailed to evoke the symbolic journey of their very own Journeyman Jeanmaker - founder of Denham, Jason Denham – and featured a drop down work-surface, flexible tool straps, garment hanging space and a column of swivelling solid-ash accessory carousels.

Using traditional woodworking joints an elegant framework of solid ash was created. This lightweight skeleton was skinned with 1.5mm thick birch before being knitted together with a series of black-Japanned steel engineering fixings.

Hand- stitched leather edging was added to protect the four outward edges – the only parts allowed to touch the ground due to the trunk’s unique inwardly curving form.

Thick leather handles, a protective flysheet of the finest Japanese selvedge denim, contrasting industrial hardware and stunning relief hand-carving from David Robinson further individualise the trunk; encapsulating Denham’s fundamental belief that

The truth is in the details.

Ash, birch, steel, iron, copper & selvedge denim

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

 Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

'...Amazing!!!! Thank you so much. I am speechless. Such beautiful craftsmanship and level of detail'

Rodney Misso, Head of Brand Environments, R.M Williams

We were commissioned by the creative team at legendary outback outfitters R.M. Williams to create a bespoke travel trunk - in organic veg tan leather, fumed oak and solid copper - to transport and showcase the diverse range of custom/individual options available on their signature handcrafted leather boots. 

It was important that the palette, construction and finish of the trunks echoed the style and feel of the brand - and the boots for which they are rightly famous. Rugged and hardwearing, but finely made and super high quality. 

'These boots are made for people who are specialists. People who expect them to last'

With this in mind we used naturally tanned leathers from Sweden, oiled hardwoods and solid copper hardware - which will all age and develop a fine patina over time - and took the usability and sturdiness very seriously indeed.

The interior houses various sizes of drawers and substantial product storage, as well as a fold out/throw-over work table, which bolts to a set of handmade legs - creating a practical display and work space.

The interior faces of the trunk are protected with solid copper lippings - meticulously engineered, waxed and hand finished. The outer edges and corners of the leather trunk are protected with thick bridle leather, wet-moulded and fixed with copper nails (over 8,000 hammer strikes were employed, by hand, to attach the leather edging alone) 

Fumed oak, organic veg tan leather, bridle leather, copper & iroko

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

On the face of it, it doesn't sound unreasonable.

But just try and find one... 

We couldn't. 

So we designed one. 

The design of the stand evokes the opening of an umbrella; revealing an elastic webbing of flexible spokes, which grips the umbrella's an provides a stunning contrast to the golden tones of the solid oak construction. 

The open sides promote air circulation and aid the drying of your umbrella, and a waterproof drip tray in the base prevents floor damage. 

It looks good too. And for our money, it's the only one out there that does. 

That's likely why Monocle HQ, Monocle Cafe and the House of Moynat all keep their umbrella's in one.

- Currently not in production -

Oak, elastic & birch

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

'...beautiful and precious...'

Charlotte Nicholson, Marketing Director, Jo Malone London

A very special commission from Jo Malone London, to celebrate the inauguration of their first bespoke boutique, on London's Regent Street.

This beautiful, pale handcrafted trunk was designed by Method Creative Director Marisa Giannasi - something of a Jo Malone devotee herself - to encapsulate the simple elegance of the brand, and to house the full collection of their classic fragrances. 

The construction was meticulously realised in Scottish sycamore, bridle leather and polished brass.

Marisa chose to use sycamore - with it's striking and rare natural ripple, which shimmers and glows like lace - for it's delicate grain feature and pale, ghostly beauty. Tremendously appropriate to both the character and the instantly recognisable palette of the brand. The timber itself was sourced from the grounds of the magnificent Hopetoun House, which hugs the East coast of the Firth of Forth, near our studio.

The piece can be seen by appointment and purchased at Jo Malone London, Regent St, 

Lead time applies

Sycamore, brass, organic leather & mirrored glass

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

For Mulliner; Bentley’s bespoke coach-building arm, the simple aim is to make dreams come true.

Each of their unique cars is expertly crafted to reflect the wishes of the client. The only limit of indulgent customisation - their imagination.

Our team learned first-hand about the supreme level of care and personal attention to detail which goes into these automotive masterpieces when we were invited to visit the famous Bentley factory in Crewe, prior to undertaking the commission.

We’re immensely proud then, that the trunk we created for them should itself be a love-letter to bespoke, to thoughtful detail, and to handcrafted luxury.

The piece was realised in steel, aluminium, polished black nickel, birch, poplar and of course, Bentley’s own legendary bull leather, the trunk also contains integrated electronics and lighting.

Virtually every component in the piece was custom made at our workshop, and assembled with an attention to detail we very seldom have call to execute.

Truly, a dream project.

Steel, aluminium, polished black nickel, birch, poplar, bull leather

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Paul T Cowan

Developed in close collaboration with Burberry's design team and meticulously handcrafted at our workshop in Scotland to house the brand's new bespoke fragrance collection.

The realisation of Burberry's extraordinary Bespoke Fragrance Chests involved the careful combination of beautiful polished green verde marble, full-grain leather, fumed oak, custom made brass, gold leaf, velvet and thick bridle leather.

The stunning results can be experienced at all Burberry's global flagships, as well as Harrods in London. 

Verde marble, fumed oak, brass, leather & velvet

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Meticulously handcrafted from our woodland workshop, the dramatic FITE wardrobe trunk took over 200 hours to create.

Its lightweight, rigid, birch-wood frame is carefully wrapped and lined in luxurious Scottish leather (but not before being signed by the craftsman in a hidden location) and is protected with thick Italian bridle leather edging and oiled, solid ash-wood rails. These beautiful but practical parts are precisely fixed with hundreds of polished, hand-hammered nails. 

The trunk is brimming with unique bespoke detailing, including logo-engraved catches, bridle leather drawer pulls, traditionally hand-painted monogram and stripe and even custom hangers; shaped from the same solid ash wood as the side rails, individually flame-branded with the Fite logo and hand-finished in lemon oil and beeswax. 

A true one-of-a-kind, the dramatic vibrant-blue wardrobe trunk was designed and created for Holly Peterson's L.A. Luxury basics brand FITE, to encapsulate and literally transport the brands values and ethos of luxury through provenance, artisan skill and sensual tactility. 

Birch, cowhide, bridle leather, stainless steel & ash

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

For Mulliner; Bentley’s bespoke coach-building arm, the simple aim is to make dreams come true.

Created as a stylish, unique and effortlessly portable sales tool; the attache takes its design and palette cues from its dramatic big brother - the Mulliner Trunk.

The exterior form was wrapped and formed with Bentley’s distinctive steer leather, with custom hardware and fittings flush-inset into the surface for a smooth, ultra-contemporary and sleek form.

Detailing is in custom made and black nickel plated steel, with traditionally hand-stitched handles from bridle leather and a pop of vibrant mandarin orange on the interior, from Muliner’s unique range of bespoke colours.

Birch, custom made black-nickel steel & steer leather

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Paul T Cowan

One of our proudest associations is with the wonderfully talented husband and wife team at multi-award-winning bespoke watchmakers - Struthers

We have for a number of years handmade the boxes for Struthers unique and rare timepieces - each a careful combination of heritage materials, skills and detailing, which (we hope) compliments their very individual and meticulously crafted watches.

Craig and Rebecca lavish and extraordinary amount of care and attention on their work, but they also believe (a belief we wholeheartedly share) that the box - the theatre of the reveal and the ritual of using a finely made case - adds something magical to the experience.

This particular piece - based on a late C19th chronometer box, to suit the era of the original movement - was created to house their first pocket watch, the Carter’ and as it’s a bloody masterpiece I asked Rebbecca to tell us a little more about it in her own words.

‘The Carter is our first pocket watch and was built around a recommissioned movement made by E.F. Ashley, London, in around 1890.

The base calibre was salvaged from the bullion industry before being completely stripped back and remastered by us, with improvements including Breguet parachute shock setting, diamond end stone and acanthus leaf scroll engraving to both movement and dial by London-based gun engraver Ruth Anthony.

The case is crafted from sterling silver and rose gold and features a swivelling bow, a nod to my background in jewellery and silver-smithing and to the late-eighteenth century development which was designed as an anti-pickpocketing device. Originally conceived for use in key-wound watches, we developed a system using twelve individual pieces in the pendant alone to allow for six axes of movement’

Wow.

The box itself is inspired by traditional Deck Boxes; small, lockable cases which allowed the very rare, delicate and super-precious timepieces of the day (critical to ocean navigation) to be safely housed - with keys only held by the captain and master - but with the face visible with the box partially open.

The box is crafted from Scottish oak, which we’ve fumed to create a rich dark tone. It has a very fine case-lock and is double hinged; using polished stainless steel butt hinges. One set of hinges is stopped at 91 degrees and one at 181 degrees, meaning the lids mechanically (and rather magically) open one-another as the interior is revealed.

The box is incredibly precisely crafted (thanks to the skilled and obsessive hand and eye of Robin - the master cabinetmaker who made it) and has numerous hidden compartments and lift out sections, all housing parts of the original C19th movement. As well as a super-hidden compartment containing a bespoke oak-clad USB with over 100 images documenting the making of the watch.

Fumed Scottish oak, bridle leather, goat suede, stainless steel

An exploration of ultra-bespoke

This incredibly special piece was designed, developed and handcrafted for the ultra-exclusive Casks of Distinction collection.

Ninety five percent of the components and contents were designed and custom-made - by both precision engineers and the finest traditional artisans in the world - specifically for this individual case, which houses hand cut cumbria crystal decanters and tumblers

Scottish oak, full grain leather, hand-cut bridle leather, custom-engineered brass hardware & handmade full-lead crystal

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

‘...absolutely fantastic and of a really good quality and design’

Steve Lidbury, European Creative Director – Automotive, Imagination Europe London

Collaborating with the creative team at Imagination Europe London we designed and created a series of unique handcrafted trunks to showcase the groundbreaking new 2013 Range Rover.

As part of Jaguar Land Rover’s luxurious craftsmanship and VIP area the trunks were initially displayed at the Paris motor show, before being toured extensively internationally.

Jaguar Land Rover is a British institution, an iconic brand we deeply respect. So this project called for a considered combination of industrial no-nonsense engineering and elegant, finely crafted and imaginative - mixed of course with true luxury and genuine character. 

Externally the completed trunks were clad in specially tooled, semi-perforated Scottish leather (the same stuff you'll find under your back pockets in Aston Martin supercars) Each was detailed with custom-engineered aluminium hardware, bespoke edge protection and hand-stitched anthracite bridle leather straps.

Internally the trunks included versatile light-box elements, extensive led 'halo' lighting, leather-bound presentation books and a fully integrated audio visual set-up.

Birch, tooled Scottish leather, aluminium, perspex, bridle leather & steel

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures

‘It was a revelation...a delight. ...I cannot praise Marisa and Callum enough for their enthusiasm and talent in bringing this gorgeous product into being'

Kate Hobhouse, Chairman, Fortnum & Mason

'Absolutely beautiful...superbly made...set the tone for the whole show'

Richard Paice, Chairman, Gordon Russell Design Museum

Conceived and created for iconic British store Fortnum & Mason, this singular tea blending box was designed to evoke the spirit of a beautiful vintage picnic hamper - owned and adored by Fortum & Mason Chairman, Kate Hobhouse.

The chest was created using only British materials, hardware and craftsmen, and was commissioned as a tactile, playful celebration of the traditions and rituals of British tea making.

The piece itself was crafted from solid oiled and waxed native oak, wrapped in specially diamond-tooled Scottish leather – bringing to mind the classic wicker weave of a traditional hamper - and is secured closed with thick bridle leather straps from Britain's only remaining oak bark tannery.

The chest also houses a stunning glass tea blending bowl, traditionally free-blown and hand turned in Yorkshire by specialist traditional glass makers Gillies Jones (the smallest bowl they've ever made), together with a pair of very special sterling silver loose-leaf tea caddies from Fortnum & Mason's Louis Philippe collection, and a Sterling silver caddy spoon (hidden in a secret leather lined compartment in the base of the solid oak bowl-block)

The blending chest was first shown as part of the 'Mad for Tea Exhibition' held at Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly, London, Where it was available to purchase, on a strictly made-to-order basis.

Scottish oak, diamond-tooled full grain leather, oak-bark tanned bridle leather, solid brass, Sterling silver & handmade glass

Bespoke@methodstudio.co.uk

+44 (0) 1506 843 478

Images: Graeme Hunter Pictures