Guild Anderson’s interview with Francis Russell

In April 2025 Guild Anderson Furniture Ltd approached FRD Designers & Makers to interview Francis Russell for their Country House Heroes website journal series.

“We’re all about making things” are the humble words Francis Russell uses to describe his business, but they are about so much more than that.  FRD Designers and Makers are the first choice for anyone looking to commission exceptional decorative or functional pieces from metal.

From intricate lantern lights for super-yachts, to complex and ornate staircases for private Asian residences - the chances are that if you have spent even the shortest amount of time in one of the world’s notable luxury hotels or bars, then you may have brushed past a piece of metalwork designed and manufactured by Francis and his incredibly skilled team.

Francis Russell grew up in Wilton, Wiltshire; the son of the successful publisher; Michael Russell. Hating his time at a leading independent boarding school, he finished his O Levels and came home for the holidays declaring that he would not be going back to finish his education there.  

His father insisted on him taking his A Levels and so he enrolled at Salisbury Technical College, but rather than attend college he preferred working at the Home Farm dairy run by a tenant farmer on the Wilton Estate. 

It was during his time at the dairy that the estate decided to close this area of the farm. The tenant at Home Farm sold the grain dryer to a small agricultural engineering company who took Francis along with the dryer to help reinstall, they then kept him on to work with installing steel frame buildings - they had a spirit of getting things done that was an important part of his learning; and so his love of constructing things from metal was born.

Toleware

It was then during the 1980’s that his parent’s friends, Michael and Anne Tree, approached him to help develop a range of lanterns and tulipieres using the revival technique of Toleware.  Michael was the son of Nancy Lancaster; the 20th-century tastemaker and the owner of Colefax & Fowler.  A successful business was formed, with the help of Francis’s mother, and they produced John Fowler tulipieres and lanterns, as well as a range of hand painted Toleware with some pieces inspired by stately homes.

Toleware refers to practical objects created from thin steel metal, and are often then painted using floral, fruit or other decorative designs.  It was originally produced in 18th century when a sheet metalworker in Pontypool called John Hanbury produced practical metal wares that were rust-proof.

In 1993 Francis created his own business as a decorative furniture maker and moved his workshop to the Rushmore Estate; originally creating metal furniture, lighting and architectural metalworks for international clients, designers and interior designers. It was at this time that he formed a partnership with Porta Romana; initially making Toleware for them, but soon the range diversified into a broader range of metal items.

Francis was living in Wimborne St Giles and here he met Nick Ashley-Cooper, 12th Earl of Shaftesbury who had recently inherited the family seat St Giles House.  Nick was tasked with renovating the house and estate which had fallen into disrepair as it had been unoccupied for approximately 60 years.  His vision for a series of barns at the disused dairy included a range of workshops for creative makers, and in 2019 Francis moved to a purpose built workshop which now houses his manufacturing, finishing and despatch along with offices for design, operations and purchasing. 

Today the business has developed into the leading UK manufacturer of decorative and functional luxury metal items.  They design collaboratively with interior designers as well as retailers and other leading designers in their field to create remarkable one-off pieces, as well as a series of exceptional metal objects ranging from door handles to lights; tables, intricately designed screens, doors, staircases, mirrors, candelabras and sconces.  Any decorative metal item that you could conceive they can produce.

Their bespoke commissions are still primarily through trade clients and designers who work with private individuals.  They are incredibly discreet about who they work for.  The trust and relationships that Francis has developed in his 40 year career are key to his success.  He is rightly proud of the refined service he offers to his clients and his focus is still very much the same as when he started “I want to make things and make difficult things”.  His work can be found in Michelin star restaurants, leading hotels and cocktail bars such as The Berkeley and The Savoy, private residences, super yachts, Royal Palaces and stately homes.

They use CAD design packages to aid with visualising a client’s concept, as well a mix of computer controlled machinery and traditional blacksmithing in the making, forming the majority of their work from brass which they can patinate in a vast array of finishes.  They work with other skilled artisans with a wide range of disciplines encompassing glass (notably Lalique), stone, upholstery and cabinet making.

Francis is an unassuming person; his talent to interpret a client’s brief and develop an idea, along with building long standing relationships with the brands he works with, are just some of his unique skills.  His inspiration comes from simply “getting it right”.  He is fastidious about making sure that each piece they create is place appropriate and meticulously made and finished.  The range of abilities that his studio and workshop have are vast; creating every style imaginable from traditional to contemporary or modern.  

Metal is an enduring material.  In the right hands it can be manipulated and formed into the most intricate of objects.  Whether it is fine metal work, detailed lighting or chunky tables; whatever the client wants he can create using their comprehensive range of metal working skills. FRD Designers and Makers bring 21st century technology and manufacture to the traditional skills associated with the artisan maker – a Renaissance workshop with cutting-edge contemporary know-how.