Design & Craftsmanship

miniature furniture models being made in workshop

The design process for each Rittergut & Runnymede piece starts with an idea, a thought that finds its shape through the fluidity of drawings and the scale models hand-built by Miles. The uniqueness of his design is founded in this very traditional approach: shaping each piece out of the material from which it will be built, and allowing that material to become part of the design process. The form and the texture of high-quality hardwoods are inseparable elements. Being self-taught allows Miles to create truly unique pieces that break many design rules.

“I never learnt any rules, so I never feared breaking them.”

Its curated collection of pieces allows Rittergut & Runnymede to keep its promise to customers regarding quality and design, and to meet customers’ expectations. Rittergut & Runnymede has spent nearly four years personally selecting specialist master craftspeople in Britain and Europe based on their experience – spanning several decades – to ensure the highest level of quality and skills. These expert carpenters are using the best of modern and traditional techniques and machinery, such as dovetail joints and lathes. Some of the processes used are traditionally only applied to other crafts, such as shipbuilding, with some joints from this craft used for their strength and reliability. Working with these specialists allows Miles to create unique pieces; he is not just pushing boundaries when it comes to design, but he is also discovering new ways of using these traditional crafts. Each piece of Rittergut & Runnymede’s work embodies the vast experience of its individual maker.

Furniture pieces being made in workshop