With the brighter, longer days finally here, many people are feeling creative and revamping their home. Apart from a lick of paint or a new feature wall, if you really want to make your mark, make a statement with furniture.
What is a ‘statement’ piece of furniture?
Similar to fashion, a statement piece is something that exudes the “wow!” factor in your home. It’s the type of piece someone who knew you well would say was “definitely you” – a look that defines your personality.
A statement piece can be chosen to reflect your personality, your passions, your style.....
A statement piece can be chosen to reflect your style, your memories or your passions. For example, if you love travelling to exotic places, a hand-painted trunk or chair upholstered in an ethnic styled fabric can make the perfect piece to evoke treasured memories on a dull, rainy British day.
...or a memory from your travels
With a reputation as the connoisseur of statement furniture, James Brindley has many customers who regularly comment on their “much-loved pieces from Brindley’s”. From beautiful sofas and chairs to console and dining tables, our stores in Harrogate and Wetherby offer quality collections full of character and individuality. Whether your personal style is traditional or classic country, retro to urban chic, there’s something distinct for everyone and for small or grand spaces.
A beautiful John Sankey sofa covered in your style of fabric
For example, a James Brindley, John Sankey or Henderson Russell chair, handmade from solid hard woods, can be upholstered in a vibrant patterned or luxurious textured fabric of your choice to make the perfect centre piece. A customer who recently purchased a bespoke chair from Brindley’s ordered it covered in a stunning Noblis fabric and with bespoke painted legs to compliment her room. She said:
“The greatest thing about this chair is the satisfaction I get from owning it. It stands proud in my home and reminds me of who I am, like a chunky vintage necklace or my favourite pair of shoes.”
The Henderson Russell Ridley chair
A statement piece of furniture may seem a little indulgent, but it will go with you wherever life’s journey takes you. You won’t outgrow it. If you choose the piece right, it will follow you from home to home, outliving fashion trends and becoming an intrinsic part of your past and a well-loved heirloom for your future.
Interiors update from the Brindley design team….
by Justine Kirkham
Head of Interior Design at James Brindley, Harrogate.
“It’s been a long, grey winter. Now is the time to come out of hibernation and let the sparkle of light flood into your home.
The best way to start is by clearing your windows and opening them up to the sunlight. Heavy curtains and ornate pelmets are perfect through the dark days of winter to keep out the draughts. Once the longer days are here, replace them with sheer or voile drapes, valances or blinds to allow the maximum amount of light into the room.
Replace heavy curtains with sheer or voile drapes to allow the maximum amount of light (Pictured: Villa Nova Kabuki)
Used alone, a valance is perfect for adding texture to your décor, while still encouraging the light to flow through. Valances can also be teamed with most window treatments to add privacy with a stylish look. Blinds are the most versatile of window dressings. Used with lighter fabrics, a blind can stack high to offer a fresh and modern feel with optimum privacy and light control.
Used with lighter fabrics, a blind can stack high to offer a fresh and modern feel (Pictured: Sanderson Angel Ferns)
This summer, vibrant candy colours, big floral motifs and asymmetrical fabric patterns lead the way, offering endless options to dress your windows with something colourful and eye-catching. Try the Jamaica in Turquoise by Manuel Canovas or a fabric from the Harlequin Momentum range to create an invigorating mood for summer.
Bright candy colours and asymmetrical fabric patterns lead the way this summer. (Pictured: Harlequin Momentum)
Remember, every room in a home has its own character and your window dressings are only part of that story, so it’s important they harmonise with the overall look. Once you’ve changed your dressing – give your windows a good wash. It’s amazing how much dirt and dust can accumulate behind heavy curtains!
Natural light helps brighten our mood and can also revitalise your interior design. (Pictured: Sanderson Dancing Tulips)
Natural light doesn’t simply prepare us for summer and help brighten our mood, if combined with a reflective, modern scheme, it can also revitalise your interior design.”
Last week we invited customers to fill a limited number of places for a special event at our Harrogate store – a workshop with Colefax and Fowler – Interior Designers by royal appointment.
Fabric expert Tony Ferrigno introduces Colefax & Fowler
While coffee was poured and delicious Betty’s cakes rapidly disappeared from the stands, Colefax and Fowler fabric expert Tony Ferrigno presented the company’s latest fabric and wallpaper collections. He provided an invaluable insight into the design and decoration trends for 2013.
The traditionally British floral papers sat alongside those with texture, sheen and beading to reflect every personality.
Colefax & Fowler beaded wallpaper
We browsed classic fabrics on linens as well as more modern patterns with on trend appliqué and embroidery detailing. The best-selling fabric from Colefax and Fowler this season is, perhaps not surprisingly, the Damask. There were hundreds of fabrics to handle and the new yet distinct styles from Manuel Canovas certainly provoked a lively response!
Tony presents the new Jamaica from Manuel Canovas
Tony also shared his experiences of working with the royal family, including the Queen and Elizabeth Taylor’s favourite fabrics.
Elizabeth Taylor liked the full bloom prints in reds and pinks
Tony divulged intimate knowledge of the development of the Colefax and Fowler fabric and wallpaper ranges and offered valuable tips and ideas for tying a scheme together.
The event offered a great opportunity for our guests to learn about the elements that go into making up a mood board and why interior designers use them.
An introduction to creating mood boards
Everyone enjoyed making their individual mood boards
Reviewing the mood boards
Do you enjoy interior design, colour and fabrics? Are you looking to create a scheme for a room at home? Contact our interior design team on 01423 560757 to secure your place on our next design workshop.
All our guests left with a Colefax and Fowler goody bag.
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Crista Webber to the newly created role of Brand Marketing Manager at James Brindley.
Crista is responsible for the management of all PR and marketing activities to take the brand to its next stage of development, harnessing loyalty and reaching new audiences.
With two retail stores in Harrogate and Wetherby and a thriving interior design business, Crista’s appointment coincides with the launch of our new look and a James Brindley range of stylish furniture. Watch this space!
Crista comes well equipped to the role, having spent seventeen years working in key PR and marketing roles within the retail and hospitality industries in London, Leeds and Harrogate.
James Brindley Managing Director, Simon Grafton, commented, “With our ambitious plans for the future, this is a very exciting time to bring someone of Crista’s ability on board. She will add another dimension to the way we connect with our customers and help strategically re-define the James Brindley brand experience.”
Crista added, “I’m delighted to be part of the team at James Brindley, it’s such an iconic Yorkshire brand that has always been uniquely positioned. I look forward to building on this whilst engaging with our customers in new and progressive ways.”
If you’ve walked down James Street Harrogate or High Street Wetherby recently, you’ll have noticed that we’ve had a bit of a face lift.
The new look for James Brindley on James Street, Harrogate
2013 is going to be an exciting year for James Brindley and we decided to celebrate by giving the brand a new lease of life. We wanted something classic yet eye-catching, traditional yet contemporary, familiar yet unique.
We think we’ve succeeded. Do you?
Our beautiful new store front at Wetherby
One of the perks of being an Interior Design specialist is having a highly skilled team of designers on hand to create a new look. The re-brand takes away the current brown colour and introduces a new dark blue to accompany the white. The store fascia has been painted in ‘Basalt’ by the Little Greene Paint Company (available at Brindley’s of course).
The new look reflects our timeless elegance
“Think classic British and you think blue. We’ve chosen a dark and dusky shade that reflects the quality and timeless elegance of James Brindley,” commented Head of Design, Justine Kirkham.
The new window graphics and signage feature our own art-deco style, bespoke design, which takes inspiration from the wrought iron railings and stain glass designs in and around historical Harrogate. This design looks beautiful alongside the blue, offering a fresh, chic look for our traditional and instantly familiar ‘James Brindley’ lettering.
Justine added; “We love our new look. The James Brindley brand has always left a lasting impression. Now it’s been modernised and given a fresh twist to accompany our exciting plans for this year.”
Interiors Update from the Brindley Design Team…
by Justine Kirkham
Head of Interior Design at James Brindley, Harrogate.
“Wallpaper – one of the easiest, most striking ways to bring colour and personality to your home. Not so long ago, wallpaper was out of favour, replaced by flat matt paint in neutral colours. Every home looked the same. As designers, we see more and more people growing tired of a neutral palette and experimenting with colour as well as shapes. This year, modern wallpaper patterns offer an exciting range of styles, colours, textures and designs; endless options to let us embrace individuality in our homes.
Natural designs in metallic finishes such as Osborne and Little Feuille De Chene
With spring we turn our thoughts to new life and nature is a big trend dominating products across the industry this season. Wallpaper designers are bringing the outdoors in, giving nature a more contemporary, colourful canvas, such as with Cole and Son’s ‘Woods and Pears’ featuring metallic pears or Osborne and Little’s Feuille De Chene from the Cabouchon collection.
Retro florals and plant inspired designs from the 1950’s and 60’s remain bang on trend and are going to get more popular as we head further into spring. For inspiration, look no further than Orla Kiely’s 2013 collection.
The epitome of retro styling, Orla Kiely, with her famous striking designs inspired by nature and fresh organic colours.
Whether a quirky Andrew Martin wall of logs, Dragonfly prints from Harlequin’s Scion Melinki or a traditionally British Colefax and Fowler floral or Zoffany Damask, there’s a wallpaper to reflect every personality. Team these papers with furniture in natural wood finishes and it’s easy to achieve a beautiful organic feel to a room.
A quirky Dragonfly print from Harlequin’s Scion Melinki.
Wallpaper is undeniably back in vogue. Always a popular choice to highlight a feature or accent wall, wallpaper is seeing a definite move back towards glorious coverage on four or more walls. Even neutral palettes are being accentuated with an abundance of texture and sheen, such as Harlequin’s Momentum collection Leaf wallpaper using glass beads on a pale backdrop.
Take it from us. It’s time to embrace the return of the papered wall – botanical, bold, nature, prints, texture and colour, colour, colour!”
James Brindley furnishings, fabrics, home accessories and interior design service are all featured in the press each month. Here is just a sample of some of our press coverage in November.
(Marie Claire – November 12)
(Yorkshire Life – November 12)
(Northside – October 12)
(Northside – November 12)
Following our successful Christmas Charity Preview evenings last month, staff at both our stores presented cheques to their designated charities this week.
The money had been raised through tickets sales, a raffle and a proportion of sales at the events, which were attended by over 250 guests. The Harrogate staff helped raise over £1200 for local charity, Horticap, an independent charity that provides an opportunity for its students who have learning disabilities to get involved in a range of outdoor activities, as well as developing new skills.
Joy Allan, Horticap Chairman of Trustees commented: “It’s been a tough year, so we are extremely grateful to James Brindley for supporting us with their Christmas event. The students loved coming down and getting involved and the money will help fund our new educational facility built on site at Bluecoats Nursery.”
The Friends of Alfie Martin’ committee members Fiona Martin and Ann Barr visited James Brindley in Wetherby to collect their cheque for £1600 and expressed their delight at the gesture.
“We’ve been working hard to raise enough money to buy a state-of-the-art, cardiac ultrasound machine for the neonatal ward at the LGI and this kind donation will guarantee its purchase. This vital piece of equipment can diagnose or exclude congenital heart disease in sick babies,” explained charity Founder, Fiona.
“There was a great family atmosphere on the night and the staff were really enthusiastic to the cause,” added Ann
For more information about how to help or contribute to either of these worthy charities visit www.thefriendsofalfiemartin.co.uk and www.horticap.org.uk
No-one does Christmas like James Brindley and we kicked off our festive season in style this week with events held at both our stores. Our guests were invited to avoid the Christmas rush by attending our special preview evenings to see first-hand the beautiful gifts, home wares and accessories to make your home sparkle.
On Wednesday 3rd October, our Wetherby showroom shone out onto the High Street attracting almost 100 guests with its’ beautiful displays. It was a wet Autumnal evening in Wetherby, yet not a glimmer of gloom in store as guests enjoyed canapés and drinks whilst browsing the intoxicating festive displays.
“A lot of our guests were already looking for the decorations; they wanted to see what’s new this year,” commented Store Manager, Donna Schofield.
(Alfie Martin Team Shot)
All proceed from tickets sales, the raffle and a proportion of sales went towards supporting local charity, the Friends of Alfie Martin.
(Ann Grafton, Lily Mulkeen and Geraldine Mulkeen)
(Bee Clarke and Julie Caddell)
(Christine Hepworth and Alex Caddick)
(Claire Barrett, Kate Binner and Natalie Elderton)
(Emma Hannaway, May Hayes, Sarah Mcintosh, Sarah Miller, Allison Collings)
(Julie Calvert and Kate Siswick)
(Mark Grafton (Chairman & founder) and Ann Grafton)
The next day, Stray FM presenter, Alex Cann, visited the Harrogate store to officially ‘reveal’ the Christmas windows on James Street. Helped by students from our designated Harrogate charity, Horticap, Alex tore down the wrapping to gasps of delight from the public as the traditional Christmas country and Narnia themed window displays were exposed.
(Alex Cann for Stray FM)
Our Merchandising Manager (or ‘Head Elf’), Paula Shrimpton, commented:
“It’s quite a challenge to put together such an intricate window display without being able to see it from the outside! This is the only time of the year when I see the display at the same time as everyone else does!”
After a few finishing touches, the doors were thrown open to welcome over 140 guests for the evening Preview Event. The beautiful decorations, candles, gifts and home wares, especially the new range of James Brindley lanterns, were quickly admired and snapped up.
“I have a reputation for exquisite gift wrapping and I won’t be disappointing my friends this year – I’m buying some gorgeous James Brindley tree decorations to use as unique gift tags,” said guest Helene Jackson
(Helene Jackson and Helen Williams)
Not only was the event a preview of the Christmas ranges, but many guests took their first peek at the new Interior Design department on the second floor. The area has been completely re-vamped to offer a more open and accessible area for the team to help customers plan and design their interior schemes.
(Olivia Clark, Madeleine Massey and Heather Bell)
Justine Kirkham, Head of Design and Harrogate Store Manager said: “This time of the year is one of our busiest and we pride ourselves of offering something for everyone when it comes to unusual or classical gifts and adornments. We’re delighted at the comments we’ve received in response to our collections this year.”
(Charlotte Farrington, Iris Rawlings, Louise Gray, Emily Farrington)
(Joy Allan -Chairman of trustees, Horticap, David Hayes – Vice Chairman, Jean Hayes)
(Romaine Limbert, Gaye Heslett, Chris Riall, Dorothea Gill)
(Stella Wilson, Steph Hammond, Jane Smart and Kate Douglas)
We’d like to thank everyone who joined us in Wetherby and Harrogate to support two worthy local charities, Alfie Martin and Horticap. Total funds raised will be announced shortly. Watch this space.
It may only be September but we’ve been planning for Christmas for months already. As our customers know, no-one does Christmas quite like James Brindley. Our stores become winter wonderlands, our windows give passers by that festive feeling and best of all, we offer an incredible range of gifts so there’s something for all your loved ones. Each year we have a carefully chosen selection of the finest decorations to make your home sparkle and set the scene for your Christmas festivities.
Our season starts with our Christmas charity evenings. These very special events are a great opportunity to be the first to see our Christmas stores and chose gifts and accessories at your leisure. We treat you with drinks, canapés, a raffle and even goody bags for our valued guests. Our interior designers will also be on hand to advise on any projects you are thinking of, or help you chose gifts for that difficult to please person!
Our Wetherby store is host to the first Christmas event on October 3. All proceeds from ticket sales, plus a proportion of sales on the evening, will go towards supporting Alfie Martin, a fantastic charity that aims to improve transportation and care facilities for critically ill infants born in Yorkshire.
It’s the turn of the Harrogate store on October 4, who will be raising funds in support of Horticap. This great local charity aims to provide students who have learning disabilities with a supportive and friendly working environment so that they can develop their social and communication abilities.
Tickets to both events are on sale now in our stores for a suggested £10 donation but please hurry – our Christmas charity evenings are always a sell out! Any donations for our raffle will also be gratefully received, with all proceeds going to support these worthwhile causes.
We can’t wait for Christmas and look forward to welcoming you to these special evenings.