Design & Development

Here at Whitemeadow we look forward to the annual trip to Brussels to one of the major trade shows in our calendar, MoOD. Visiting rather than exhibiting, this trip is often a catalyst for the new fabric trends to make their way into our ranges.

This year saw the show move from its long standing home to a new, fresh environment. Having had a quick google as to what we could expect, it was safe to say that we were slightly wary of the so called ‘sheds’. Arriving at the show we were pleasantly surprised. Apart from being slightly warm (the air-con was broken and Brussels was experiencing a heat wave), the halls were light and airy allowing the fabrics to be showcased to their best potential.

Walking around the show the stands were smaller than before but it didn’t mean that the offerings were limited, from your basic plain fabrics to sumptuous velvets, there was plenty to explore. It became clear that digital printing onto all types of fabrics was something that a lot of suppliers for the upholstery sector are experimenting with, achieving varying degrees of success. Some of the most interesting we saw are pictured below.

We also saw a resurgence in more natural looking fabrics. Chunky plains with the desired natural look but the performance characteristics of synthetics. These were often paired with accent fabrics covered in plant and flower motifs, a trend that has worked its way into the interior market from women’s fashion.

Whitemeadow source fabrics from all corners of the world which means it can sometimes be difficult to see all fabrics when they are still new. Having the majority of our main suppliers under one roof means that we can contrast and compare and choose the best fabrics for any projects we are working on. It also gives us the opportunity to find brand new suppliers that we may not have seen before enabling us to offer our customers something new and exciting.

Overall, an interesting show with some lovely new fabrics which we hope to present to you very soon. See you again next year MoOD.

Whitemeadow is helping inspire the next generation of designers and furniture makers by supporting a campaign organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity. We have sponsored eight schools within the local Nottinghamshire area.

Launched in 2014, the School Design Prize raises awareness of the furnishing industry among school children by rewarding them for their design & technology course work. Every year The Furniture Makers’ Company asks companies and individuals to sponsor copies of a design textbook which are then posted to schools around the country for design & technology teachers to present to their most outstanding student. The prize is a certificate and a copy of ‘Design of the 20th Century’ by Charlotte and Peter Fiell, published by Taschen.

The Furniture Makers’ Company is the British furnishing industry’s charity, which fosters and supports the industry by nurturing skills and expertise, supporting those in need and inspiring excellence. It encourages the highest standards and best practice in the design, making, marketing and selling of all kinds of furniture and furnishings throughout the UK, recognising quality through the award of its Guild Marks. It supports students and young people with grants, training and mentoring in order to foster talent and safeguard the future of the industry. It provides support and assistance to those in need who are working or have worked in the UK furnishing industry. You can find out more here.

Dr Tony Smart MBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “We are immensely grateful to Whitemeadow for their support of our School Design Prize campaign. The long term prosperity of the furnishing industry depends on us attracting young people to pursue a career in this creative, vibrant sector. The award is something that the winning student should be very proud of.”

Ian Oscroft, Managing Director at Whitemeadow commented: “It is absolutely key for our industry that we focus on developing the next generation of designers and we are keen therefore to support this initiative within our local area”.

George Cooper, Marketing and Communications Manager for the Furniture Makers' Company commented: "Emily Lindsay from Joseph Whitaker School, one of Whitemeadow’s recipients was in attendance, and she actually came second in the National School Design Prize for the piece called Multimedia. It wasn’t a piece of furniture per se, it was an architectural model, but she got a lot out of the day. Her parents accompanied her and they were very positive about the prize and the exhibition, and it’s because of Whitemeadow’s support, so thank you".

Click here to view a short video which captures the vibrancy and excitement of the 2018 Young Furniture Makers Exhibition.

PRESS RELEASE

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, and Whitemeadow Upholstery are delighted to announce the launch of the first-ever Whitemeadow Upholstery Design Award for 2017.

The new award, which was launched on Monday 30 January 2017, will ask students to design a commercial upholstery range of sofas or chairs for the home, focusing on excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function.

The competition is open to any product design or furniture design student over the age of 18 in full time education at any college or university in the UK.

The winner will be offered a paid work placement within Whitemeadow’s busy design department at its base in Sutton In Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, where they’ll receive insight into the practical side of upholstery design and manufacture.

Ben Burbidge, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “As the furnishing industry’s charity, we want to encourage new talent to enter our industry and have put in place an extensive education programme to help create a powerful workforce for the future.

“We would like to thank Whitemeadow for sponsoring this new award, which will challenge young people to think both creatively and commercially, and for offering such a fantastic prize to the winner.”

Ian Oscroft, Managing Director at Whitemeadow, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with The Furniture Makers’ Company, our industry’s charity, on this new award. There is a wealth of talent out there and we’re excited to see what the students can design.

“We know that to ensure Whitemeadow stays at the forefront of the industry, we need to continually bring fresh new designs to the market and to that end we encourage a working climate for inspiration. We look forward to welcoming the eventual winner and helping them develop as a designer.”

The deadline for entries is Friday 14 April 2017.

The information pack and application form is available by emailing Damilola Bamidele: grantsandeducation@furnituremakers.org.uk.