Well-known interior designer teams up with Devon-based specialist joinery and carpentry company
Expanding Wistman’s Ltd announces Julia Kendell, best known for her TV appearances on BBC’s DIY SOS since 2008, has teamed up with the independent company as their specialist design consultant.
Well-known for her Grand Designs award-winning property design and working alongside DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, and endearing Devon boys, Chris Frediani, and Julian Perryman, Julia created the interior design for the wedding venue of Nick and his wife in 2012.
A specialist in designing kitchens, bespoke cabinetry, and lighting design, Julia regularly writes for leading interior magazines such as House Beautiful and Real Homes. Her style is creating beautiful yet practical interior design which is emotionally connected to the client. She is currently writing a book (due out in Autumn 2023) entitled ‘Happy, Healthy Home’ where she looks at how good design can improve our cognitive ability, mood, and health.
Formerly known as Rendle & Elliott, the company moved from Dartmouth to larger premises near Bovey Tracey in 2021. The rebrand ‘Wistman’s’ was inspired by the local and famous woodland known as Wistman’s Wood, based at Two Bridges, Dartmoor, one of the highest oakwoods in Britain and, as an outstanding example of native upland oak woodland with trees as old as 500 years.
Working with both private customers and commercial clients in the South-West and across the UK, as a whole, Wistman’s has its own in-house workshop. It’s here their fully-qualified team of craftsmen, many with decades of experience in the trade, put their heart and soul into lovingly creating pieces from a variety of wood, made individually to order for clients. They take pride in offering a personal service, from design and manufacture in the workshop to delivery, installation, and fitting on-site, all carried out by Wistman’s experienced and skilled professionals. The company designs and creates high-end architectural joinery and carpentry, and even has a specialist team producing Wistman’s kitchens. Hours of work and care go into each individual piece made from high-quality wood, finished in a variety of ways including with oils to bring out the natural effect of the grain and character in the timber.
Jeremy Robinson, Director of Wistman’s says, “We have a specialist dedicated team and our in-house craftsmen pride themselves on creating bespoke furniture to a client’s exacting requirements. We can make anything from beautifully designed and luxurious kitchens, fitted and free-standing furniture, and handcrafted windows and doors to, statement staircases, garden studios, and much, much more.”
He adds: “I’m delighted to announce that Julia has teamed up with Wistman’s as our ‘specialist design consultant’ to help our valued and discerning customers design their dream kitchen. With over 35 years of experience as a leader in the design community, and discussing wellbeing in the home, she fits with our ethos and values perfectly, complementing what we do.”
Julia Kendell says: “I’m excited to be working alongside Wistman’s team of professionals to share my design expertise and bring the very latest ideas and trends in kitchen innovation for their clients who are looking to create a very special space. When designing a kitchen, which is undoubtedly the most sizeable investment you’ll make in your home, it’s vital to balance functionality, aesthetics, and the feel and experience of the space. As the past couple of years has shown, our kitchen/living areas are the beating heart of the home and vital to our well-being. Good design should ensure the whole family can go about their daily routines in an organised, manner whilst feeling uplifted and energised. My aim is to combine the best of design with Wistman’s impressive, handcrafted cabinetry to create magazine-worthy kitchens our clients will love.”
She concludes: “I turn to Wistman’s for interior joinery for my discerning clients’ projects and can rely on their quality, superior service, and attention to detail and sustainability. Not least, they are a great bunch of people to work with, which makes my job so much easier!”
