Illuminarta by Marcus Gilbert

10/11/2026

The kitchen/dining area in this beautiful farmhouse was in need of storage for a variety dining/cooking items including fine crockery, glassware and table linen used for special occasions. In addition w**e racks were added and even space for a bread maker and sewing machine!
Rather than creating a built-in unit, I proposed this Welsh Dresser unit design in a more traditional style and complimented another unit in the room. All the cupboards have adjustable shelving. Elements of Oak timber finished the unit.

10/11/2026

03/11/2026

Understairs storage utilises a valuable unused and/or disorganised space. In this instance there was a small four drawer chest of drawers under the stairs. The customer wanted a multitude of things that were dotted all around the house to stored for easy access and in one place, and the understairs was the ideal place. There’s now somewhere for her to store amongst many things, the iron and ironing board, tool kit, and vacuum cleaner. There’s a pull-out shelf for the wireless printer (with paper storage beneath) and three full extension drawers. A cupboard for pet paraphernalia completes the unit.

27/10/2026

This dressing room in an old farmhouse had very limited DIY constructed ‘built-in’ wardrobes on the far wall. The customer needed better use of the room including the ability to hang a lot more clothes, have a full length mirror, drawers and shoe storage, and all on a tight budget.
The new design had to contend with some very wonky walls and the floor and ceiling that didn’t come anywhere close to being level.
On the end wall the wardrobe has double hanging space and a shelving unit in blind corner. The return leg had more hanging space, including full length hanging, and a drawer unit. A floor to ceiling footwear and socks shelving unit on the opposite wall completes the job.

20/10/2026

For any space in your home it’s key to maximise the storage potential.
In this pantry/utility room there were just three shelves that were so far apart you couldn’t use all the space efficiently, and so deep you couldn’t easily reach to the back. There was boxed pipework that couldn’t be moved meaning there was some awkward spaces to fill.
The answer was to have pullout cupboards that have side entry access and with more shelves. And to maximise the space, two of the cupboards accommodated for the boxed pipework. A standard cupboard replaced an old fridge therefore providing even more useful storage.
From around 30% of the space previously being used to now approximately 80% utilised effectively means more items can be stored and can be easily reached.

02/10/2026

Originally doing business paperwork working at the kitchen table my customer made space in the snug of the their beautiful old farmhouse but this was still not ideal. They wanted a workstation with plenty of storage but one of the most important elements was to have a useable workstation with the ability to hide it all away.
Pocket doors provided the answer.
Pocket doors are opened and pushed into recesses built into the unit, therefore out of the way when doing your work.
Then, at the end of the day, they are pulled out and closed, and no one would know that there is a workstation complete with computer, printer and masses of storage space hidden behind those doors.
A few other features include the wireless printer located in a pull out cupboard and plenty of storage for reams of stationery items. The work surface for the computer is made from Ash and oil stained to look like oak.
Once the electrician has been to do a final fit of sockets in the knee space area I will then create another storage/shelving unit fitted to hide the electrics (and the plumbing).
I’m a storage problem solver and this was a very enjoyable and interesting job to produce.

21/09/2026

Legend Member Spotlight

⭐️ Meet our Legend President, Marcus Gilbert ⭐️

Marcus is the creative force behind Illuminarta by Marcus Gilbert, creating bespoke storage solutions that combine beautiful woodwork with eye-catching resin.

In this video, Marcus talks about some of the myths surrounding his industry, the craziest requests he’s received, and what being a member of BNI Legend has brought to his business.

It’s a great insight into both Marcus and the value of being part of a supportive business network.

🎥 Take a look and get to know Marcus a little better!

www.illuminarta.com
Creative bespoke storage tailored to your needs

26/08/2026

Are there any trades like builders, plasterers, plumbers, kitchen fitters, locksmiths, landscape gardeners in Suffolk and particularly in the Ipswich area that you can confidently recommend, or are you that trade’s business that has the capacity to take on more work?
I’m part of a fantastic networking group of local businesses that work together to find work referrals for each other, and with only room for one member from each trade in the group, any work found will go straight to that person.
If you know a trades business, or you are a trades business, drop me a message and let’s have a chat. I’d love to introduce that business to our lively group and help generate work for them.

15/07/2026

Latest project now installed. This boot room inspired design creating a hallway unit for coats and shoes storage, made use of a very shallow, awkward space.