New Classical French Fabric Range

Over the years we have been sourcing unique and distinctive french style furniture, and this year we have been looking into Fabric, that gives a distinctive classy look to your furniture.

There are literally thousands of different fabrics available so we set Jo to the task as she has a 1st Class Degree in Art , and her oil paintings are fantastic.

The key is to locate fabric that naturally blends into the French feel, andshe has done just that with quality of eye, not only that but she also gave us a list of upholsters in the UK that would work to our high level of detail.

Ralph, never to be outdone, also put a local upholster in contact with us.
He came down, and collected a chair and said” I’ll impress you with what I can do”

Three months later, this guy has still not returned with the chair, and Ralph has “Misplaced “his Number.

I think we should check on EBay to see if our chair turns up there.


Simple and Logical

Anyway we have given Ralph the task of lobbying Local government (Hopefully he will keep a note of phone numbers this time!)

I must admit I was impressed by his idea, sometimes in life the simplest ideas are the best (No offence Ralph)

Okay here’s the deal

Our couriers collect from us on a daily basis and our furniture has a layer of corrugated cardboard and a cardboard box.

We coerce them into returning the cardboard and packing material when they collect their daily deliveries and the local council collect the cardboard once a week and recycle it .

Its not rocket science (I actually have a friend who is a Rocket scientist ) but like Airbus 380 vs. Boeing 777. Ones going for Point to point and ones going for sheer volume.

Local Government can help us but are literally charging the earth for collection.

Anyway watch this space for further developments.

Journeys

One of our Buyers returned after 3 weeks abroad and what a magnificent haul she brought back , majestic Obj’ art and some quite amazing Design Classics , made by highly skilled artisans and sooo detailed.












Due for release October 2008


Ralph after being grounded after his last buying exploits (Fantastic finds, and quite amazing expenses!) Had to dig deep and rekindle old contacts to redeem himself to the Boss.



Happy to say he has more than redeemed himself with cementing openings exporting to France, USA and Canada, this time his expenses were more reasonable and his waistline was the same as when he left!


This autumn we have released over 120 + new hand picked products mainly French Beds, French wardrobes or armoires, and glamorous seating.



The Press Office and marketing department are gearing up for the exciting Winter Release of hand crafted Designer Classics made with passion and pride by 5th Generation artisans at realistic prices.

Secret Spaces and Hidden Places

Recycling

Recycling Furniture and fabrics has been around a lot longer than most of us think.
In this day and age we have finally woken up to the reality of finite resources and I would like to blog a little about Shabby Chic.
Please click here for more information on recycling

Background of Shabby Chic

As per Wicipedia”The style started in Great Britain and evokes the type of decoration found in large country houses where there are worn and faded old chintz sofas and curtains, old paintwork and unassuming 'good' taste.

The end result of shabby chic is to achieve an elegant overall effect, as opposed to the sentimentally cute Pop-Victorian.

These days Recycling old furniture and fabrics is an important aspect of it.The early forms of shabby chic were rather grand but the style has evolved taking inspiration from many forms of decoration.

These range from 18th century Swedish painted decoration, the French Chateau as well as the American Shakers where simplicity and plainness was essential.Shabby chic is mainly popular in interior design where furniture and furnishings are either chosen for their age and signs of wear and tear or new items are distressed to achieve the appearance of an antique.

Shabby chic items are often heavily painted with many layers showing through obviously worn areas. The style is imitated in Faux Painting using glaze or by painting then rubbing and sanding away the top coat to show the wood or base coats. Fabrics tend to be cottons and linens, with linen being particularly popular, inspired by old French linens.

Whites and worn or bleached out pastels are favorite colours. Fabric is often stained with tea to give it the look of old fabric. Bleached and faded are terms often applied to the style .

Another form of Recycling is Utilizing space, and leads on nicely to utilizing secret spaces , I know I should have been a TV Anchor

When visiting one of our Noir Furniture suppliers, I saw some wasted space.

Namely the base of the wardrobe.

The old version of this did not utilise this space, so as per usual we requested a modification to design, and the next day voila a secret drawer.

Here are some other items we stock with Secret Drawers:

FW2062 Ladies Dressing table/Writing Desk

LPF1011- French Dressing Table and Mirror

We have been able to negotiate with the suppliers and these wardrobes will cost no more than the current ones and do give an extra dimension to the product.

The Head of Marketing often comes out with some inspiring sentences, like “It’s hidden in the detail”, “The antiques of tomorrow”, but when vigorously demonstrating the secret drawer to the staff caused a groan when he said

“Noir you see it Noir you don’t”

Anyone like to head hunt our Head of marketing…..Please….

Ralph.

Recent Sourcing Trip

Returned from my sourcing trip the beginning of December , should have been for one week , ended up over five weeks (Need to choose the perfect time to hand in my expenses ! ). The crowning Glory was the latest additions to the Noir Range and Venetian Mirror collection .


My favourite piece from the Noir Range was the Noir Chaise , and some other items soon to be released to complete the Noir Bedroom range . Watch This Space.

It’s all in the detail


I must have visited over 40 suppliers and seen literally thousands of items of French furniture, Mirrors and Objet’d art.

From these I choose about 150 new items .

It’s very easy to be rushed and taken in by the Sales patter and “Working Lunches” (Must join a gym ) , but I always insist and watching various stages of production , and slipping in some of the companies extra requirements .

What catches my eye is an item with outstanding craftsmanship .

It must be so easy to mass produce , but where is the passion and pride?

It’s quite amazing to watch how many different disciplines are involved in the hand making of furniture. Take for example a chase.

Hand carve the detail
Assemble joints
8 Stage painting of Wood
Upholster
Final Sign off / Certification
pack and Box

Because these items are so well built , they will last .
Ralph