Paul Hodgkiss, the Glasgow designer who created the Commonwealth Games’ distinctive wooden podiums, is launching a stylish new homewares store to present his statement furniture and accessories.
Paul Hodgkiss Designs, which is located in the south of Glasgow, will be officially opened by Lord Provost Sadie Doherty tomorrow (Saturday 15th November).
The 1800 sqft interiors boutique is housed in a former Victorian washhouse that was restored brick-by-brick to create a stylish and spacious contemporary showroom offering Paul’s signature hand-crafted designs. The store also stocks a wide variety of complementary accessories.
Paul Hodgkiss Designs, founded 20 years ago, is known for its artisan hand-crafted furniture created from home-grown wood. The company’s designs can be found in some of Glasgow’s best-known bars and restaurants, including Cafe Antipasti and Meat Bar, and in distilleries ranging from Isle of Arran Distillers to Glenfiddich.
Earlier this year the company’s signature style was showcased on the world stage when Paul and his team were chosen to supply the 96 wooden hand-crafted medal podiums used during the XX Commonwealth Games. Paul Hodgkiss Designs also produced the medal trays used during medal ceremonies and each of the wooden quaichs distributed to winning athletes.
The quaichs – which will be on sale in the new showroom - are now in demand all over the world after the success of the Games.
Paul says: “2014 has been a landmark year for us. It was a real honour to be chosen to design and manufacture the Commonwealth Games podiums, and now we’ve achieved a lifetime goal by opening a showroom filled with our hand-crafted designs. I’ve always wanted to have a place to showcase our quality furniture ranges, which are inspired by the beauty of the natural world. But to ensure shoppers have plenty of choice we’ve also selected a range of stunning pieces from our favourite designers around the world.
“For the first time ever we have a space that demonstrates our full range of products and services, from customised interiors to stylish accessories to provide the finishing touch to our customers’ homes.
“We look forward to welcoming customers old and new to our showroom and would encourage passers-by to drop in for a browse and a chat.”
The new showroom offers three ranges of finished furniture, each of which is inspired by Paul’s childhood holidays in mountain resorts all over the world. While most of the furniture available is produced by the company’s in-house team the boutique also offers pieces exclusively sourced by Paul’s wife and business partner Elvera from leading design houses including Matthew Hilton’s renowned Balzac armchair and rugs by Designers Guild.
Sadie Docherty, the Lord Provost of Glasgow, comments: “It is a privilege to open Paul’s new showroom and I wish him great success in his new venture. His iconic podiums and quaichs were a real talking point during the Commonwealth Games and have helped to put Glasgow design and style on map internationally.”
