We're in the fortunate position at 1718 to be able to say that business has been booming. Alongside the beautiful bespoke furniture we continue to create for private clients, we've been working on restoration and retail projects in London and Hong Kong – and discussing plans with investors to expand further into the US market. Here's an update from Susan Mancini.

One of Britain's greatest architects, Edwin Lanseer Lutyens (1869 – 1944) changed the face of English country houses and gardens.

We're in the fortunate position at 1718 to be able to say that business has been booming. Alongside the beautiful bespoke furniture we continue to create for private clients, we've been working on restoration and retail projects in London and Hong Kong – and discussing plans with investors to expand further into the US market. Here's an update from Susan Mancini.

Italy's success in Euro 2020 got our founder, Michael Mancini, thinking about his personal heritage, the death of his great-grandfather in a German U-boat attack and the cultural influences on 1718 furniture.

Like any craft, furniture comes with its own jargon, and our clients often ask for explanations of some of the materials and finishes that we work with. Here's a quick guide to some of the most common – one quick read and you'll instantly know your marquetry and your shagreen from your verre églomisé.

Despite the pandemic crisis, 1718 continues to experience its busiest year to date. Michael Mancini explores why provenance and the personal touch have increasing appeal – and how the finishes applied to furniture are becoming ever more inventive.

In this new series, we introduce you to some of the wonderful people that Michael Mancini and the 1718 team have created bespoke furniture for. We begin with married business partners Sheila and Rod Flavell, the driving force behind the FTSE 250-listed FDM Group.

A question as to whether our clients acquire 1718 furniture for practical use, or simply because they enjoy having it in their home, led me to think about what makes bespoke furniture special, writes Michael Mancini.

1718 is named after the year in which Thomas Chippendale was born. But who was Chippendale and why does he mean so much to us? Michael Mancini explores the life of a man who was an extraordinarily talented cabinet maker, designer – and much more besides.

Who could have guessed what lay ahead for the world 12 months ago? At 1718, we're counting our blessings and, as we launch our new website, we wish all our clients, associates and friends a happy and peaceful 2021, writes Michael Mancini.

For Michael Mancini, the smell of beeswax and the joy of a perfectly executed mortice or tenon joint are what makes him tick. The founder of 1718 talks us through his career to date – and plans to launch limited-edition collections in 2021.

Michael Mancini loves bespoke furniture – then again, he might be a little biased. That's why he decided to ask three interior designers what it is that they value about hand-crafted furniture, made to order.

Some of our finest work springs from our clients' unexpected ideas. And, as Michael Mancini explains, bespoke furniture has the power to bring those ideas to life by transforming awkward spaces into sources of inspiration.

A lot of people like the idea of commissioning bespoke furniture but, as Michael Mancini explains, it's often only when they commission their first piece that the full value of 'bespoke' becomes clear.