How duo built bespoke furniture business up from a small cabinetmaking firm...
Originally a small cabinetmaking firm, restoring and manufacturing wooden furniture for clients of discerning taste, Orwells Furniture has been dedicated to creating fine bespoke furniture and interiors since it was founded in 1990.
From townhouses to barns, apartments to restaurants, Orwells Furniture now designs, manufactures and installs bespoke furniture across Essex and Suffolk, as well as internationally.
Co-directors, Matt Weiner and Gill Williams, continue to be involved in making the company the success it is today alongside a design and draughting team, operations and administrative staff and a skilled team of cabinet makers and furniture installers. We catch up with the duo who know great design will continue to be at the beating heart of Orwells Furniture.
What are the current or future trends for furniture, are there any particular materials?
'We are increasingly seeing the addition of texture on projects. Through adding materials such as Tektura affixed to panels of cupboard doors, inlayed to the top of dressing tables or as we see in the images featured as a wallcovering on a chimney. This completely wipeable and waterproof material is a great addition to any room in the house. We have incorporated metal, vertically on cabinetry doors to give the illusion of height and used it on plinths to add interest. Texture can also come in the form of wood, in a recent project we have used a gouging technique to create grooves on kitchen cabinetry doors, creating an utterly unique and handmade finish.'
The design process, how does it start and progress to the finished piece(s)?
“Each project is unique, and the time frame often varies from the first initial enquiry to install based on when the project is ready for furniture installation. Our design service is free which means we will price and generate computer aided drawings without a fee. Should you not choose to go ahead, we take pride that we were considered. Once the project is awarded to us, we will go through a series of meetings with the client to confirm layout, design, finishes and colours. Here, it is important to note that no decision is left to the client unaided, the team at Orwells furniture will guide the client right the way through to the end.”
The techniques/tools which bring a high quality to the end product?
'On our kitchen projects we complete a full-scale mock-up of the kitchen in MDF. This gives our clients the opportunity to assess the size, layout and design of the kitchen before we proceed to manufacture. This tool proves priceless especially in kitchens where island size is under review.
'We do a programme of works to ensure the client and all trades are up to speed on schedules to guarantee our projects are handed over complete and on time. On a kitchen for example, once it is handed over to the client it is fully functioning with running water in the tap and power to the ovens. ‘Sugar in the larder’ is the term we use for completion!'
How important is sustainability to the business?
'Our raw materials are sourced from suppliers with a sustainability programme, for every tree that is cut another is planted. Our off cuts are made available to purchase for the public and our sawdust is free for those that make use of it. Orwells Furniture is also an accredited colour showroom for plant-based sustainable paint Edward Bulmer.'
Where inspiration comes from to create furniture pieces?
'Inspiration on projects vary. On occasion the client has an idea of what they would like and comes armed to their first meeting with a Pinterest board of ideas or the client really has no idea where to begin. In the instance of an interior designer led scheme, Orwells Furniture will work together to deliver the clients wishes and meet the interior design brief. Under all three circumstances we provide the time and the tools to help envision the scheme, bring it to life through samples, mood boards and 3D visuals. A colour scheme can develop from something as simple as matching a piece of fabric. Door design and mouldings can date back to the period of the home. Whichever direction the client wants to go, we can take them there. With no set ranges just bespoke furniture to suit any room in the house there is a total freedom in our creation.'
You’ve recently finished a project on Golf Road, Felixstowe, what did this entail?
'On entering the property there is an immediate entrance to the guest bedroom, a self-contained space. Tongue and groove walls and cabinetry, evoking a beach hut styled bedroom. Incorporating an ensuite and private access to the garden, this is truly a guest’s paradise, you can even make your own tea and coffee without disturbing the host. The previous entrance made no reference to architectural heritage. When Orwells Furniture undertook the building works an original Edwardian panel was discovered, bespoke cutters were commissioned to panel the entire hallway. The master suite is the next room the panels lead to, a more elegant feel inspired by the Hamptons, a pristine and charming location in America. The next room (if discovered at all?!) is concealed behind a curved wall and accessed via curved panelling - a well laid out WC with exquisite Cole and Son wallpaper, which is available for peruse at Orwells Furniture. The final landing space, the pièce de résistance, open plan living and cooking space. Laura Morgan the showroom manager at Orwells Furniture, often helps clients with colour schemes and creates mood boards. Laura took her inspiration from the view, the in-bloom violet flowers in the foreground and the north-sea beyond prompted the basis of the colour scheme.'
Do you have any favourite projects or pieces?
'Each project is individual. Liken it to a theatre, whatever the performance opening night it is always exciting. If the audience love the performance so, do the actors. This is how we feel – ensuring the clients are happy.'
As well as the furniture, you provide a complete one-stop shop for products, what are the advantages to clients?
'We are not affiliated to any brands. We pride ourselves on having brand knowledge and we are happy to source and research so we can adapt to our client’s specification. We have a showroom displaying appliances from brands such as Neff, Miele, Fisher and Paykel and Subzero & Wolf. To complete a mood board, paint colours are always on hand as we mix our own Paint and Paper Library paint.'
Any unusual requests you’ve undertaken for a client?
'Kitchens with fold back doors, concealing breakfast cupboards, bars and on some occasions sinks and prep spaces so chaos can be hidden, have now become a key inclusion on many of our kitchen projects. The Mersea Island kitchen (pictured) features that exact design concept!'
What makes you proud of the business?
'A passion to deliver is instilled in every member of the team at Orwells Furniture. Recently a client pointed out how impressed they were that every member of the team had enquired if they were happy. A pride in people is what Orwells Furniture is most proud of. There is no big game plan, and no member of the Orwells Furniture team needs to avoid a client at Waitrose!'
The future…what you’re looking forward to?
'This year we have expanded our portfolio with the most desirable interior designers in the UK as well as our first project abroad. We look forward to expanding our local portfolio in projects across Suffolk and Essex.
'Our ‘Made for Life’ tagline is a human approach. The business is made for our lives, the furniture is made to last a lifetime and we aim to give our team, work for life. Some of our colleagues have been with us for over 30 years. Working hard to have pride in your work – that sacrifice makes for a life.'
orwellsfurniture.co.uk
Five tips from Orwells Furniture
1. Samples, samples, samples; most floor, fabric and wallpaper companies offer free samples. Order away and build your scheme!
2. Consider creating stations when designing a functional space like a kitchen allowing the chef of the house a clear route from the preparation area to the hob without crossing paths with the person making the tea!
3. Always plan lighting into your budget, well-chosen lighting can transform the look and feel of a room.
4. Start with the floor material and colour when developing a new colour scheme and build from the bottom up.
5. Giving existing furniture a lick of paint and swapping over the handles can give a space a completely new lease of life – it doesn’t always need to involve ripping out the existing cabinetry.
