Making the perfect home for your collection

Library Design & Build

Baroque library - walnut with ornate hand carving and gilding

About our partners

Our partners at Artichoke are designers and makers of bespoke, beautiful, top quality architectural interiors and fine furniture.  They are especially known for their libraries, kitchens and gun rooms, 

Since its foundation over 25 years ago, Artichoke has gained a well-deserved reputation nationally and internationally both for its understated and elegant approach to design and for their superb craftsmanship using the finest materials available.  You definitely won’t find them on the high street as they operate under the radar, with most of their new projects coming from personal introductions by satisfied clients.

They work in the UK and internationally, and their highly experienced in-house team of interior designers, architects and craftsmen make everything they design in their own state-of-the-art workshops located just outside the beautiful village of Cheddar in Somerset, England.

In their own words

“At Artichoke we utilise our shared knowledge, imagination, and years of joinery experience to create private library spaces with stunning period detail. We have crafted libraries for elegant halls on country estates, Georgian townhouses, and listed properties with magnificent heritage. In every project, we look for ways to go beyond our client’s expectations to produce truly exceptional rooms.

We take the responsibility for excellence very seriously and make every effort to ensure that the design will harmonise with the architecture and aesthetic of each property. We aim to produce understated, elegant designs, and consider every intricate detail of the architectural joinery and fitted furniture in the space.

We take a truly personal approach to each commission. To build an outstanding library we must first understand and empathise how a client lives and the way the room will be used.  A library should be beautiful and impressive, but it also needs to function as a room that clients enjoy relaxing and reading in.

We often work alongside architects and interior designers – both directly and as a part of a larger project team – providing them with our expertise in joinery, cabinet making and other forms of bespoke design.”

Bookcases and doors made in Macassar ebony and ripple sycamore
Georgian library in French polished solid European walnut

How to Design and make a Baroque Library

In late 2013, Artichoke’s architectural design team were approached by the new owner of a magnificent late 17th Century Grade II* Listed Georgian Hall in the English countryside. The Hall sits in gently undulating parkland…

The Philosopher's Hall at Strahov Monastery

Library Interior Design Reference Images

A precursor to starting the interior design work for any bespoke library or study is to take reference from the past.  Here are some of the libraries we love…

The library at St Giles House, recently restored and owned by the Earl of Shaftesbury

Library Design with period details

We utilise our shared knowledge, imagination, and years of joinery experience to create private library spaces with stunning period detail.  In every project, we look for ways to go beyond our client’s expectations to produce truly exceptional rooms…

Hand polished French walnut with secret maplewood dovetail drawers in the dado