From bespoke fitted furniture to complex commercial installations and historic building restorations, the Birmingham business has built a reputation for taking on challenging projects without compromising on quality. That has now earned RRJ Design the title of Carpentry & Joinery Business of the Year at the local business awards. Founded in March 2023, it has grown from humble beginnings in a domestic garage into a specialist joinery studio on Milk Street in Digbeth, Birmingham, combining traditional woodworking skills with modern 3D CAD design to make bespoke joinery for residential and commercial customers who want something other than standard, mass-produced products.
For founder Rafa, the award matters because it recognises his decision to build a business around craftsmanship rather than speed or volume. In just a few years, RRJ Design has gone from individual custom pieces to complex listed building restorations and commercial fit-outs. Along the way it has also invested in young talent, and apprentice Chris Wilson has received national recognition for his skills. For Rafa, it shows there is still a strong future for traditional craftsmanship when it is combined with creative thinking, modern technology and a determination to do things properly.
From a domestic garage to a bespoke joinery studio
Rafa set up RRJ Design in March 2023 to pursue his passion for high-quality, bespoke joinery. He saw what he believed was a gap in the market for exceptional workmanship and wanted a company where quality, durability and attention to detail would always come before shortcuts. For him, joinery had never been about turning out functional furniture or finishing installations as quickly as possible. It was about the satisfaction of making something carefully considered, well built and designed to stand the test of time, and he wanted the freedom to take on more unusual projects that would test his skills and call for creative solutions.
The early days were a long way from the dedicated workshop the company runs today. Rafa worked from his own garage, sometimes setting up tools on customers' driveways to finish a job. It took determination and flexibility, and a willingness to make the most of what was available. Even so, the aim was clear from the start: bespoke craftsmanship, time spent understanding what each customer needed, and work he could be proud of. That approach brought in more customers through personal recommendations, and individual commissions gradually led to larger ones, giving Rafa the confidence to keep growing. He finds the move from a garage to an award-winning joinery business almost surreal, but the principles that got him started have not changed.
Traditional craftsmanship with modern design
RRJ Design combines traditional joinery techniques with modern design technology. Rather than relying on rigid, off-the-shelf templates, Rafa and his team treat each commission as a blank canvas, so customers can explore ideas that standard furniture or joinery products would not allow. Every property has different dimensions, practical problems and design possibilities, and the company works directly with clients to understand them and arrive at a design that balances appearance, function and craftsmanship.
Modern 3D CAD design lets the team develop detailed concepts before fabrication starts, and traditional woodworking knowledge turns those designs into finished pieces. For Rafa, using technology does not mean abandoning established craftsmanship; it is another way to improve precision, try ambitious ideas and solve complex design problems. The business is particularly drawn to work that needs creative problem-solving, whether that is an unusual space, intricate fitted furniture or a historic property, and it aims to make joinery that feels like a natural part of a space rather than something added to it. That has earned it a reputation for work that needs careful planning and a high level of technical skill, and combining creativity with the precision of traditional joinery is still one of the parts of the job Rafa enjoys most.
Every stage of the process under one roof
A big step came when the company set up its own workshop in Digbeth. Working from a domestic garage and on customers' driveways had limited the scale and complexity of the projects it could take on. A Birmingham City Council growth grant changed that, allowing RRJ Design to move into and equip its own studio on Milk Street and bring the main parts of the joinery process together in one place. For Rafa it was a major milestone, giving the business a permanent workshop and a more structured setting for design and fabrication.
The Digbeth studio lets RRJ Design handle projects in-house, from initial concepts and design development to custom fabrication and specialist spray finishing. Rather than relying on standard products or outsourcing key parts of the work, the team can deal directly with the details that shape the finished result, and the final installation stays closer to the original design. For customers investing in bespoke furniture or specialist joinery, that continuity matters. The workshop also gave the business the footing to move from individual bespoke pieces to larger commercial fit-outs and complex listed building restorations. For Rafa, it was the point at which the business gained a permanent home and the facilities to pursue the kind of creative commissions he had originally dreamed of.
Choosing quality over shortcuts
One of the biggest challenges RRJ Design faces is a market where customers can choose from a wide range of mass-produced furniture and fast-turnaround joinery services. Rafa's concern is that speed and price can take priority over the materials, structural integrity and attention to detail that lasting quality needs. From the beginning he wanted the company to compete on carefully designed, professionally crafted work rather than on price or the number of jobs it could complete, and sticking to that has taken confidence and consistency.
Bespoke joinery means time spent understanding requirements, developing designs, choosing suitable materials and carefully making each component, and customers new to the process may not see straight away why that care matters. So the company puts great weight on honest communication. The team explains its approach, guides clients through design decisions and shows the long-term value of good materials and workmanship. For Rafa, transparency is how trust is built: customers should understand what they are investing in and feel confident about the decisions being made.
That has given RRJ Design a reputation built on word of mouth. Rather than relying solely on advertising, the business has grown largely through people who have seen its work and recommended it to others, which Rafa finds especially rewarding because it shows customers notice the standards the company works hard to keep. It continues to resist compromising on quality to increase volume, because craftsmanship is what its reputation rests on.
Bespoke spaces beyond standard joinery
RRJ Design specialises in projects where individual design, skilled fabrication and careful installation come together. It makes bespoke joinery for residential and commercial spaces. For homeowners, fitted furniture can make better use of a room with a design that suits the property; for commercial customers, custom joinery can create an environment that reflects the character and practical needs of the business. In each case the team starts not with a predetermined product but with the space, how it will be used and the finish the customer wants, which lets it work on anything from individual pieces of fitted furniture to more complex installations.
The company has also built up experience in listed building restorations, work that needs particular sensitivity to a property's character and existing features. Rafa finds these projects especially appealing because they bring together traditional craftsmanship, technical knowledge and creative problem-solving, often within established spaces where the result has to be both practical and visually appropriate. Challenging commissions were one of the original reasons he set up RRJ Design, and as the company has grown it has taken on increasingly ambitious projects that use its full design and fabrication capabilities. For the team, the satisfaction comes from seeing an idea become something functional, beautifully finished and suited to its surroundings.
A customer project that sums up the approach
Customer Jonathan Kelly worked closely with Rafa on a substantial installation: a new kitchen, a custom bar area, bespoke bench seating and further finishing details. For Jonathan, the collaborative approach was one of the best parts of the project. Rather than simply carrying out a set installation, Rafa worked through the details with him to create the space he had in mind, including choosing distinctive materials and making sure every element was designed and built with quality in mind. For RRJ Design, that level of involvement is what bespoke work requires, since every choice, from the larger fitted elements to the smaller details, shapes the overall result.
Jonathan was particularly complimentary about the standard of workmanship and about working with the team. He described the finished kitchen as looking “unbelievable” and praised the care taken throughout. Major home improvement work can feel disruptive, but he appreciated how polite and approachable Rafa and the small team were on site. He also singled out apprentice Chris Wilson, praising his ability and saying his recognition as an award-winning young joiner was thoroughly deserved. Jonathan considered the cost reasonable for the quality and bespoke nature of the work, and concluded that he couldn't recommend RRJ Design highly enough. Feedback like this means a lot to Rafa, because it shows customers value the collaboration, communication and care as well as the finished joinery.
Passing traditional skills to the next generation
RRJ Design has come a long way since launching in 2023, but one of Rafa's proudest moments has come through someone else's progress. Apprentice Chris Wilson has become an important part of the company's story and shows the value of investing in young people who want careers in skilled trades. Rafa set up the business to keep exceptional standards of craftsmanship, and passing those skills, values and professional expectations on to another person has brought its own sense of achievement. Working alongside the team, Chris has built up his knowledge and practical experience of the standards and techniques that define RRJ Design's work. That was recognised when he won The Nation's A Trades Apprentice Award for Carpentry & Joinery.
Seeing Chris receive national recognition was an incredibly proud moment for Rafa. It reflected the young joiner's dedication and talent, and the training and mentoring he received in the business. In an industry that depends on practical skills and experience, supporting apprentices helps protect the future of traditional craftsmanship. At RRJ Design, teaching young people means more than showing them how to use tools or complete tasks. Rafa wants apprentices to understand precision, responsibility and the pride that comes from high-quality work, to see why details matter, and to keep standards up even when a quicker option is available. Watching Chris take those principles on board has been particularly rewarding, and by helping develop skilled young craftspeople the company is contributing to the future of the trade itself.
Keeping Birmingham's craftsmanship heritage alive in Digbeth
Being based in Digbeth means a great deal to RRJ Design. The area is closely associated with Birmingham's industrial and manufacturing history, which makes it a natural home for a business devoted to traditional craftsmanship, and Rafa sees the studio's location as more than a practical decision. It is a chance to be part of the city's continuing story of making, designing and producing exceptional work. With support from Birmingham City Council's growth grant, the company set up a permanent studio on Milk Street in an area known for its independent businesses and creative energy, a significant step for a company that began in a domestic garage.
The surrounding community includes designers, tradespeople and businesses working across creative and practical disciplines, and for Rafa being part of it is a chance to build relationships and contribute to the area's modern identity. RRJ Design supports the local economy through its work with independent West Midlands businesses and by developing skilled local talent. It takes pride in collaborating on commercial fit-outs that help organisations create distinctive spaces, and its listed building restorations connect it to the preservation of the region's architectural heritage. Rafa values combining traditional woodworking with modern design in a city with such a strong history of manufacturing, and believes Birmingham's craftsmanship heritage should remain an active part of its future rather than something remembered from the past. Through its work, training and growth, RRJ Design hopes to contribute to that future.
Supporting the local economy and responsible craftsmanship
For Rafa, contributing to Digbeth and the wider West Midlands means more than running a workshop and completing projects for nearby customers. It also means creating opportunities for people, supporting other independent businesses and working responsibly. The company's biggest contribution has been its investment in apprenticeship training, bringing local young people into the trade and helping them build skills for long-term careers, and Chris Wilson's national award shows what skilled mentoring and high professional standards can achieve.
RRJ Design also works with independent businesses across the region, with commercial fit-outs giving it the chance to collaborate with other organisations and supply the specialist joinery for their spaces, and it values strong relationships with local trade partners and suppliers. It prioritises responsibly sourced materials, considering the wider impact of its operations as well as the long-term value of its work. For Rafa, quality craftsmanship and responsible business go together: durable, carefully built joinery is meant to stay useful and attractive over time, in line with the company's belief in avoiding unnecessary shortcuts. As it grows, the aim is to keep contributing to Birmingham through employment, training, partnerships and well-executed projects, which for a young independent business is both a responsibility and an opportunity.
A proud moment for RRJ Design
Being named Carpentry & Joinery Business of the Year has been an extraordinary moment for Rafa and the team. When he founded the company in March 2023, he could hardly have imagined how quickly it would go from a garage to an award-winning studio in Digbeth. The news brought surprise and pride. As Rafa explains, “I was completely blown away.”
For him, the award recognises the decision he made at the outset to focus on uncompromising craftsmanship rather than chase high-volume, fast-turnaround work. That choice has shaped every stage of the business, from careful choice of materials to keeping control of design and fabrication. Recognition for it means a lot in an industry where price and speed can dominate customer decisions, and it shows Rafa that there are people who value craftsmanship and the effort exceptional results take. The award also marks how far the business has come in a short time: setting up the Digbeth studio, winning larger commissions and building a talented team have all taken determination and hard work. It is a morale boost for the team and encouragement to keep pursuing ambitious work, and for Rafa a proud reminder that building the business around quality and integrity was the right decision.
What the award means for customers and the future
For RRJ Design, the award matters most because of trust. Customers commissioning bespoke joinery are usually investing in something designed specifically for their property or business. Unlike ready-made products, bespoke work is a collaborative process in which design, materials and craftsmanship all shape the result, so choosing the right company is an important decision. Rafa hopes the award gives customers extra reassurance that RRJ Design will deliver the standards it promises. For existing clients it celebrates the quality and attention to detail they have already seen, and for new customers it is another reason to feel confident bringing the business an ambitious idea.
The award comes at an exciting point. With its Digbeth studio established and a strong reputation built on recommendations, the company is looking forward to taking on more complex projects, especially commercial fit-outs and listed building restorations, which combine design expertise with the practical challenges of specialist craftsmanship. Rafa is keen to keep pushing the creative boundaries of what the studio can do, while remaining determined that growth never comes at the expense of quality. The company's reputation rests on careful workmanship, honest advice and a willingness to give demanding projects the attention they need, and those principles will stay central as it develops.
Developing the next generation and taking on bigger challenges
Encouraged by the award, Rafa's main priority is to keep developing the creative and technical capabilities of the Digbeth studio. With facilities for design, fabrication and specialist finishing in place, the company is better placed to take on challenging bespoke commissions. He is particularly interested in projects that demand careful planning, inventive solutions and a high level of craftsmanship, including more complex commercial fit-outs and historic listed building restorations across the West Midlands. These are the kind of projects that inspired him to set up RRJ Design in the first place, giving room for ambitious ideas that use both traditional techniques and modern design technology.
Rafa is equally keen to expand the apprenticeship programme. After Chris Wilson's national recognition, the business hopes to welcome more local talent, because investing in young craftspeople helps keep traditional joinery skills alive. He wants RRJ Design to give opportunities to people who share his enthusiasm for high-quality work, and to pass on the values behind its reputation: precision, patience and pride in craftsmanship. For the business, success will not be measured simply by the number of projects completed or the size of its workshop, but also by the standards it keeps and the opportunities it creates for others. Rafa is determined to keep showing that traditional craftsmanship has a strong future in Birmingham, and to grow the business without losing the personal care and attention that established it.
A thank you to everyone behind the business
Rafa is keen to thank the people and organisations who have supported the company. First come the customers who trusted RRJ Design, particularly in the early days when the business worked from a garage and set up tools on driveways. For a new company trying to build a reputation, that early confidence was incredibly important, and every client who commissioned a project, recommended the team or shared positive feedback helped it grow and find new opportunities. Much of the company's growth has come from those personal recommendations, and Rafa is particularly grateful to the customers who keep supporting the business and sending others its way.
He also has enormous appreciation for the team whose dedication and craftsmanship have contributed to the company's success, and he is especially proud of apprentice Chris Wilson, whose commitment to learning and high standards has been recognised nationally and reflects the values RRJ Design wants to develop in its workforce. The business thanks Birmingham City Council for the growth grant that helped set up the Digbeth workshop, which allowed it to move beyond the garage and build the facilities for more ambitious work. Rafa is equally grateful to his family, friends and the wider Digbeth community for their encouragement. For a business founded in 2023 the progress has been remarkable, and he knows it would not have been possible without the trust and support of others. His message to customers is that his personal commitment remains unchanged:
“Thank you for backing us and letting us bring your spaces to life. We don't take your trust for granted, and whenever you work with RRJ Design, you have my personal word that you'll get genuine craftsmanship, absolute honesty, and work that is built to stand the test of time.”
Since its founding in March 2023, RRJ Design has gone from a domestic garage to a dedicated studio in Digbeth, taken on complex bespoke projects and trained an award-winning apprentice. It plans to expand its capabilities, support more local talent and take on challenging commissions across the West Midlands. For Rafa, the principles that led him to start the business are as important as ever: honest advice, exceptional attention to detail and the satisfaction of making something special.