Shopfront: Commissioning furniture isn't as daunting as it might first seem and for bigger pieces such as a dining table or a bed, it makes a lot of sense: any kind of quality table and chairs aren't going to be cheap anyway, so why not get exactly what you want?

While there isn't the safety of seeing finished furniture "in the flesh", the way to make sure you end up happy with the result comes down to common sense: after you find a designer whose style you like, make sure you see some of their work and inspect the quality. A good designer will supply plenty of sketches along with samples so you know exactly what you're getting.

Finding a good furniture maker isn't easy but one of the best in the country is Michael Bell who works with a large team of craftsmen (so it won't take forever to get the darn thing) and has an impressive list of clients which include Farmleigh, the Irish Stock Exchange and various Irish embassies.

Despite this, prices for commissioned furniture aren't as expensive as you might think: dining tables from €2,100, chairs from €570 and beds from €3,500.

Michael Bell Design, furniture maker, Glasshouse, Vicarstown, County Laois, Ireland. Tel 0502 25633