ABOUT
spar·ver. ˈspärvər. plural -s, late Middle English: the canopy of a bed
A FRESH SET OF EYES
Sparver was started with the belief that somewhere in the development of Britain’s furniture making traditions, bed-frames were left behind. Over the last century the wants and needs we have for our beds have evolved. Today the designs of the past look out of date and modern solutions tend to be more practical than beautiful.
But why not have a beautiful bed? Our aim is not to create reproductions. Instead we design as if the craftsman of the past were here now applying their skills and rationale to produce beds that serve today’s set of requirements. Thus, creating honest English furniture that sits quietly with pieces from the past and will stand the test of time.
We want your bed to be both a refuge and a visual pleasure. These are designs that do not demand attention but earn it.
Sparver beds are made in workshops across central and southern England by craftsmen using centuries-old techniques. This produces wonderful, long-lasting pieces, created by human touch. These are beds made to last for generations. Beds done right.
Jack Symonds, founder
Jack originally trained as an engineer, working in global engineering firms including a formative period in Japan, focussed on quality control with industrial titan Hitachi.
In 2018 Jack found himself being pulled towards his first love, furniture. Drawn to the honest workmanship and materiality of furniture, Jack took his engineering knowledge to Howe London, where he ran the bespoke furniture department for five years.
Sparver was started out of his desire to create well constructed furniture with good historical design, focussing on presence, proportion and finish.
A bed is the most private place in the house. Let it be made well.
Our CRAFT
Furniture used to be made better. There is a reason that traditional techniques have been passed down through generations of craftspeople: they result in pieces that last. These days we have a choice: better techniques, higher prices and longevity or mass manufacturing, lower cost and, in the end, receiving something that is less likely to last.
At Sparver, we make products that we are proud to put our name to and happy to explain in detail.
DESIGN
Our designs are a combination of an aesthetic vision and the manufacturing expertise of the craftspeople that make them. The design moves backwards and forwards between designer and maker, being refined as it goes. Prototyping moves the design on further. It takes several iterations to get to the model you see.
FRAMEMAKING
Our frames are a reflection of the experience our craftspeople have at mastering the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable character of timber.
Hand tools such as chisels and hand planes still make up part of our craftspeoples’ daily life, prized for the subtle undulations they give in the finish. Machinery such as saws and drills are used, but never at the expense of the end result.
Our bed frames are made from solid timber only, with the species selected for their traditional use in specific parts of the frame.
Our workshops pick timber at their local timber yard, making judgements for grain, faults, beauty and so on. These days FSC certification is an expectation. We also ask them to consider where the tree has been grown – with domestically grown as a preference – but we trust our workshops to make the best pick for your furniture. We have asked, in order to save emissions, that nothing comes from outside Europe.
TRADITIONAL UPHOLSTERY
Traditional upholstery is created using many layers of natural materials used for their comfort, resilience and ability to be shaped. It takes the time and skill of our master upholsterers to create the subtle curves we design. While this form of upholstery seems laborious compared to the modern alternatives, its track record is proven and its health credentials are not in question.
At the base is jute webbing (sometimes mixed with cotton), tightly stretched into place to provide structural support. Layers of hessian and hand stitched horsehair follow, meticulously shaped to provide the beautiful lines you see from the outside. For thin flat stuffings we use loose hair needled into hessian because of its uniform surface.
For softness and fire resilience, cotton felt or wool may be added. Feather and down may additionally be used for cushioning. Finally, this is all enclosed beneath a calico lining before the final fabric is applied. The result is upholstery that breathes, adds comfort and holds its form.
Our Prices
At Sparver, we sell honest products made in the UK at a fair cost. If someone is making a similar piece but at a cheaper price we encourage you to research their practices. We do not inflate our prices to discount so we do not do sales.
DESIGN
Our designs are a combination of an aesthetic vision and the manufacturing expertise of the craftspeople that make them. The design moves backwards and forwards between designer and maker, being refined as it goes. Prototyping moves the design on further. It takes several iterations to get to the model you see.
FRAMEMAKING
Our frames are a reflection of the experience our craftspeople have at mastering the beautiful but sometimes unpredictable character of timber.
Hand tools such as chisels and hand planes still make up part of our craftspeoples’ daily life, prized for the subtle undulations they give in the finish. Machinery such as saws and drills are used, but never at the expense of the end result.
Our bed frames are made from solid timber only, with the species selected for their traditional use in specific parts of the frame.
Our workshops pick timber at their local timber yard, making judgements for grain, faults, beauty and so on. These days FSC certification is an expectation. We also ask them to consider where the tree has been grown – with domestically grown as a preference – but we trust our workshops to make the best pick for your furniture. We have asked, in order to save emissions, that nothing comes from outside Europe.
TRADITIONAL UPHOLSTERY
Traditional upholstery is created using many layers of natural materials used for their comfort, resilience and ability to be shaped. It takes the time and skill of our master upholsterers to create the subtle curves we design. While this form of upholstery seems laborious compared to the modern alternatives, its track record is proven and its health credentials are not in question.
At the base is jute webbing (sometimes mixed with cotton), tightly stretched into place to provide structural support. Layers of hessian and hand stitched horsehair follow, meticulously shaped to provide the beautiful lines you see from the outside. For thin flat stuffings we use loose hair needled into hessian because of its uniform surface.
For softness and fire resilience, cotton felt or wool may be added. Feather and down may additionally be used for cushioning. Finally, this is all enclosed beneath a calico lining before the final fabric is applied. The result is upholstery that breathes, adds comfort and holds its form.
Our Prices
At Sparver, we sell honest products made in the UK at a fair cost. If someone is making a similar piece but at a cheaper price we encourage you to research their practices. We do not inflate our prices to discount so we do not do sales.
We are always happy to talk about the making process and to incorporate your own preferences for materials. Please do get in touch to discuss your requirements.