Sleeper caught up with family-owned furniture manufacturer EPOCA to find out more about how it collaborates with clients to deliver perfect solutions and the role bespoke furniture plays in the guest experience.

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What is unique or different about the way you work with clients to produce bespoke items?

I believe that EPOCA is unique in the industry because we are not only a furniture manufacturer but a partner for hospitality projects. We have a team of project managers who follow all the processes from the design, planning, through production, to logistics and installation. They also manage our technical drawers team who do all the shop drawings and 3D designs of the products.

Are there any key materials that appear frequently in your work?

At EPOCA we work on pieces of furniture made from all kinds of materials, though our expertise is in woodwork and gold finishes. We offer a bespoke and completely personalised service to satisfy the client’s wishes, so you will see all types of projects furnished with different kinds of materials, from Classical style, Vintage to Modern style.

How do you go about fulfilling your mission to be a client’s “top of the line” project partner and to exceed all expectations?

First, doing what I mentioned before. Secondly, when the project ends, our partnership does not end. We continuously follow up with the customers and maintain their products whenever necessary. Last but not least, we consider ourselves ‘top of the line’ because we only work with the best raw materials in the market which results in products that surpass all the expectations.

How important is the hospitality sector to the brand?

The hospitality sector is crucial for us because it is our core business. EPOCA is a custom-made furniture manufacturer since 1947 and the hospitality field is our strength and daily work. Apart from technical drawings and furniture manufacturer we are able to supply all the hotel, since the FF&E to OS&E. We are passionate about hospitality.

What role does bespoke furniture play in the guest experience?

For the guests, bespoke furniture makes their experience unique. When a client goes to a place with custom-made pieces they make special memories. They will not find hotels, restaurants, resorts, villas looking the same in other parts of the world.

Why do you think hotels are increasingly looking to bespoke manufacturers to furnish their properties?

Precisely for the guest experience, I think. For example, when a hotel chooses to furnish the rooms differently, the client will certainly want to come back to live a different experience in a different room. Bespoke furniture makes the spaces less commercial and more refined and special.

Can you highlight some projects that EPOCA is proud to have worked on?

EPOCA is proud of all the works we have done, and fortunately, our portfolio is quite extensive so I can only mention some of them like Ritz – Paris, Bürgenstock Resort – Obbürgen, Four Seasons – Palm Beach, Café de Paris – Monte Carlo, The Yeatman – Porto, Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf – St Barth, Constance Halaveli – the Maldives, Southampton Harbour Hotel & Spa, among others.

What’s next for EPOCA?

We are working on even more projects and increasing our portfolio around the world. We are also striving to get new projects in the American continent, we would like to expand EPOCA in that area. Beyond all that, we want to continue to be a reference in the sector and to be recognised for the quality and attention to detail that we dedicate to each project. Our vision is to always innovate in design, variety of materials, techniques, technology, making each project unique.

www.epoca.pt