When Penguin Books Wants Something Special, They Call Us

There are moments in business that stop you in your tracks — moments where you have to pinch yourself and ask, “Is this really happening?” Being approached by Penguin Books to create a set of bespoke bookends was exactly one of those moments for us.

Penguin Books is one of the most recognisable and beloved publishing houses in the world. Their iconic branding, their commitment to beautiful design, and their dedication to bringing great literature to the masses have made them a household name for decades. So when they came to us with a vision for something truly special, we knew we had to deliver something extraordinary.

The Brief

Penguin wanted a set of bookends that would not only be functional but would serve as a true collector’s piece — something that reflected the craftsmanship and artistry that they pour into every book they publish. They weren’t looking for something generic. They wanted something that told a story before you even opened a single page.

That’s where we came in.

The Design

The front of each bookend features an intricate flower design crafted by none other than Coralie Bickford-Smith — an award-winning designer who works in-house at Penguin Books. If you’re a book lover, chances are you’ve already fallen in love with her work without even realising it.

Coralie is the creative genius behind Penguin’s stunning Clothbound Classics series — those beautifully decorated hardback editions that look almost too good to read. Her designs are instantly recognisable: rich in detail, steeped in symbolism, and utterly breathtaking. To have her artwork featured on our bookends felt like a true honour.

We produced two designs, each taken from a different Clothbound Classics edition:

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility

Few novels have captured the complexities of love, loss, and social expectation quite like Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. Coralie’s design for this edition is as elegant and refined as the story itself — delicate floral patterns that draw you in and reward closer inspection. Engraved onto our bookends, the design takes on a whole new dimension, the texture and depth of the engraving bringing every petal and leaf to life.

Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations

Dickens’ Great Expectations is a story of ambition, identity, and the journey from boyhood to manhood. Coralie’s design for this edition carries its own sense of drama and grandeur. Engraved into our bookends, it sits as a proud tribute to one of the greatest novels ever written.

The Craft

Creating bookends worthy of the Penguin name was no small undertaking. Every detail had to be perfect. The engraving process required precision and patience — Coralie’s designs are intricate, and translating that intricacy from the page to a three-dimensional object demanded the very best of our craft.

We’re incredibly proud of the end result. These aren’t just bookends. They are pieces of art that celebrate the beauty of books, the power of great design, and the enduring magic of storytelling.

A Partnership We’re Incredibly Proud Of

Working with Penguin Books has been one of the highlights of our journey as a business. It’s a reminder of why we do what we do — to create beautiful, meaningful objects that people will treasure for years to come.

If you’d like to get your hands on a pair of these stunning bookends, you can find them over on the Penguin Books shop:

Shop the Penguin Bookends Collection: https://shop.penguin.co.uk/collections/bookends

Whether you’re a devoted Austen fan, a lifelong Dickens reader, or simply someone who appreciates exceptional craftsmanship, these bookends deserve a place on your shelf.