Artichoke was founded in 1992 by Bruce Hodgson, originally trading as Bruce Hodgson Furniture. From workbench space rented in a Bristol workshop, Bruce produced his first project: a garden gate.
The business grew by word of mouth, kitchens and domestic spaces came to dominate Artichoke’s output and Bruce’s fascination with classical principles and architectural joinery deepened.
For years, Artichoke was a maker of choice for leading designers and architects. These years were a form of apprenticeship, as the Artichoke workshop under the leadership of Bruce Hodgson, worked into houses of every period, for households of every description. During this long ‘apprenticeship’ we learned the pitfalls and opportunities met by owners as they looked to make beautiful and brilliantly functional homes from fine period houses. We also came to know the knowledge deficit at play on many projects – neither architects nor designers understood the full potential or the practical application of internal joinery. Our landmark project as a designer (and maker) was at Parnham House in Dorset, where we were commissioned to design and make both kitchens for their Grade I listed Elizabethan house. This hugely successful project, for a nationally important heritage building, led to further commissions for other country houses. Artichoke cemented a reputation for combining elegant, understated and sensitive joinery design with interior architecture and traditional cabinet making to enhance how families live in their homes.
The company now employs a staff of 50 at a state of the art design studio and workshop in Cheddar, Somerset.
Everyone in the business is focused on creating exceptional joinery led interiors which enhance the experience of living in traditional houses.
By working in a similar way to an architect, with the flair and imagination of an interior designer and the technical knowledge of a cabinet-maker, we are able to offer an holistic approach which cuts out waste by providing clients with a clearer and much more efficient route to excellence.
Watch Bruce Hodgson below talk about Artichoke and its aims.