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Mad About … The High Street

part of the Conran collaboration with Marks & Spencer
part of the Conran collaboration with Marks & Spencer

There has been much wailing and gnashing of teeth about the death of the High Street recently with the closure of Jessops, Blockbusters and HMV not forgeting Currys. Yes it’s true in part that they were affected by the behemoth that is Amazon, which is in turn, part of the beast that is the Internet. And I’m as guilty as you of pushing the convenience button and waiting for the postman. But in this world, one must adapt or die and perhaps they didn’t manage to do that in time.

part of the British-made collection by French Connection at DFS
part of the British-made collection by French Connection at DFS

Let’s take another look at the High Street. Because when it comes to furniture the picture is a little different. Some of those big stores have teamed up with smaller, even unknown, designers to produce great collections at really good prices. Granted, they’re not competing with Amazon when it comes to selling sofas, but they still need to bring the punters in through the doors.

HOUSE: John Lewis's largest ever home brand range
HOUSE: John Lewis’s largest ever home brand range

John Lewis has been good at this for some time now. Remember the launch of House last year? But there’s more. Last year, while researching Objects of Design on lighting, I found a number of fantastic pieces by small designers that were being sold by John Lewis, as part of their Design Collective venture. This includes designers such as Bethan Gray and Timorous Beasties.

Bethan Grey's Noah range for John Lewis
Bethan Grey’s Noah range for John Lewis

We all know about Marks & Spencer and Terence Conran, which was a great coup for the store which seems to be struggling when it comes to its fashion creds. And it has also signed up the Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, whose products have been featured in the MoMA and the V&A.

House of Fraser, quick to realise the potential of a partnership with the Queen of Shops, Mary Portas, has teamed up with Rachel Ashwell, of Shabby Chic to produce a range of bedding and bedroom furniture.

Shabby Chic at House of Fraser by the founder of the brand Rachel Ashwell
Shabby Chic at House of Fraser by the founder of the brand Rachel Ashwell

And the store has also just announced a collaboration with the American company Dwell Studio, which is really exciting. The collection, Living by Dwell Studio, will launch in 20 stores nationwide and online on 1 March.

Monochrome_Sofa
Monochrome sofa, part of the Living by Dwell Collection will be online from March

The collection includes three lines; monochrome and bronze (seen above and below) and pretty, which is a pink and lilac palette mixed with gold.

Bronze leather chair: part of the collaboration between Dwell Studio and House of Fraser
Bronze leather chair: part of the collaboration between Dwell Studio and House of Fraser

And what about Debenhams? John Rocha and Ben de Lisi have been on the payroll for years but now they have added Ashley Thomas and Yukari Sweeney.

Tree bedding set by Ben de Lisi for Debenhams
Tree bedding set by Ben de Lisi for Debenhams

But perhaps the most surprising partnership is that between DFS and French Connection. Yes, you heard right. This came about because of a 20 year friendship between the two CEOs and the whole collection; New England, which is available in selected stores and online, is made in the UK and has a ten year springs and frame guarantee.

I must admit I thought something was up last year when I spotted the Shout Range from DFS. Patchwork sofas are very on trend and although some may feel it’s copying a more artisan handmade version, at £699 rather than several thousand that does put it more within reach for most of us. It is however also made in Britain and has a ten year frame and springs guarantee.

The Shout range from DFS brings the fashionable patchwork look to the High Street.
The Shout range from DFS brings the fashionable patchwork look to the High Street

Of course, this partnership works for the designers too who get to reach a wider audience with their work. Online furniture retailer Made.com has been very good at this with partnerships with Steurt Padwick, James Harrison and Jimmie Martin to name a few.

part of Padwick\s fonteyn collection at Made.com
part of Steuart  Padwick’s fonteyn collection at Made.com

So, while there’s no doubt that the High Street is suffering, it seems like some of the big stores are cleverly looking for ways to adapt. Let’s hope it works out.

And in the meantime there’s one more collaboration we’re waiting for … H&M have teamed up with Maison Margiela, Marni and Jimmy Choo in fashion. Just imagine what they could come up with in the furniture line. We’re  waiting….

 

Kate Watson-Smyth

The author Kate Watson-Smyth

I’m a journalist who writes about interiors mainly for The Financial Times but I have also written regularly for The Independent and The Daily Mail. My house has been in Living Etc, HeartHome and featured in The Wall Street Journal & Corriere della Sera. I also run an interior styling consultancy Mad About Your House. Welcome to my Mad House.

5 Comments

  1. The high street big boys are definitely raising the stakes with their new designs. John Lewis have a some great 1950’s iconic deisgn peices and the range from M & S is beautiful.

    1. I’m glad you agree, Jason, there’s some really exciting stuff out there isn’t there. Can’t wait to go for a browse around.

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