Commissioning a bespoke piece of furniture is not a transaction. It is a design conversation that happens over several weeks, involves a series of decisions, and produces something that will be in your home for the next 30 years. Understanding the process before you begin means better decisions, fewer surprises, and a better result.
This is how the Vellara Studio process works, step by step.
Week 0: The Initial Conversation
Every commission begins with a conversation — usually a WhatsApp message or email inquiry, followed by a call or in-person meeting. This is not a sales consultation. It is a design intake. We want to understand your space, your aesthetic, your lifestyle, and what you need the piece to do.
Questions we typically ask:
- What room is this for, and what are the dimensions of the space?
- What other furniture and materials are already in the room?
- What are your primary colours and tonal preferences?
- Do you have a specific stone in mind, or are you open to recommendations?
- Do you have children or pets? This affects stone choice more than almost any other factor.
- Is there a specific piece in our current collection that you are drawn to, or are you starting from scratch?
You do not need to have answers to all of these before the first conversation. Many of the best commissions begin with "I am not sure what I want, but I know what I do not want." That is a perfectly workable starting point.
Week 1: Design Brief and Stone Selection
Based on the initial conversation, we put together a design brief — dimensions, stone options, base timber and finish, edge profile, and any specific requirements. We typically present two or three stone options with clear reasoning for each recommendation.
For marble and quartzite selections, we can arrange for you to visit the stone yard and see the actual slab that would be used in your piece. This is not standard practice among most furniture makers. We consider it essential. Stone is an individual material — two slabs of the same marble type can look dramatically different. Seeing and approving the specific slab before production begins eliminates the possibility of surprises at delivery.
Weeks 2–6: Production
Production begins only once the design brief is approved, the stone slab is selected, and a deposit is received. Our standard lead time is 6 to 8 weeks from this point.
The production sequence:
- Stone templating and cutting: The slab is cut to final dimensions, edges are profiled, and the top surface is honed to the specified finish. This typically takes 1–2 weeks.
- Timber base fabrication: The hardwood base is constructed to the confirmed design, sanded progressively to final specification, and finished with the specified stain and lacquer. This happens in parallel with stone processing where possible.
- Assembly and quality control: Stone and base are married, levelled, and inspected. We check all joints, all surfaces, and all finishes against the agreed specification before anything leaves the workshop.
- Photography: We document every completed piece before delivery.
You will receive at least one update during production — more if there are decisions to make or if you request them. We do not disappear for six weeks and resurface with a table.
Week 7–8: Delivery and Installation
We deliver nationwide. All Vellara pieces are transported in custom protective packaging. For Cape Town and Johannesburg metropolitan deliveries, we supervise installation directly. For other regions, we work with trusted freight partners who have experience with fragile and high-value furniture.
Delivery includes placement in the agreed position in your home and a brief handover covering care and maintenance. We do not leave until the piece is correctly positioned and you are satisfied.
After Delivery: The Guarantee
All Vellara pieces carry a lifetime structural guarantee. If any structural element — joint, base, stone mounting — fails due to craftsmanship within the normal intended use of the piece, we repair or replace it. No administration, no fine print.
What is not covered: accidental damage, misuse, and normal wear on stone surfaces over time. We will give you honest maintenance guidance at delivery so that normal wear is minimised.
Custom Dimensions: The Most Common Question
Almost every inquiry includes a variation of: "can you make it to my specific dimensions?" Yes. Custom dimensions are available on all pieces in the Vellara collection at no premium for minor variations (±200mm in length or width). Significant size changes — particularly scaling down — may require a revised quote as smaller pieces do not always result in proportionally lower costs.
The most common customisations we receive:
- Length adjustments for specific room widths
- Lower or higher profile for specific seating configurations
- Alternative stone selection from the options we stock
- Alternative timber species or stain tones
Starting a Commission
The easiest way to begin is to send us a message through the Contact page or directly via Instagram. Tell us what room you are working with, drop a photo if you have one, and we will take it from there. Most initial conversations are resolved in one or two messages — we do not believe in lengthy intake forms and bureaucratic processes. You want a table. We want to make it well. The rest is logistics.
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