The January Furniture Show debut marked 25 years of furniture exhibitions at the NEC. Alongside a fresh approach and a new identity, the event saw the launch of The Furniture Awards, a programme designed by the organiser in collaboration with Furniture News magazine to highlight some of the best new product launched at the event. In a change of approach to the majority of previous product-of-the-show awards, The Furniture Awards aimed to reflect the businesslike nature of the event by putting an emphasis on the entrants’ commercial value above that of design or manufacturing innovation, with three price-level categories permitting a level playing field for the companies present. The event's judges were: Robert Shotton, chairman and owner of three-store independent retailer Cousins; Tristan Lynch, ecommerce director of e-tailer WorldStores.co.uk; and furniture designer and developer Rob Scarlett, the founder of Scarlett Design UK.
Part of Gallery Direct’s high-value Hudson Living furniture range, the Dexter range, winner of the Mid-Level Category, comprises two occasional side tables, one with a parquet top, and the other a concrete-effect faux resin. Made using mindi ash in a dry weathered finish, they are versatile pieces that can be used as a side, lamp, or bedside table, in a range of interiors.
“It’s definitely the type of product that won’t date”
The Dexter side tables are part of a wider collection that contains Bradley, a round, weathered pedestal table that has a faux concrete resin top and a mindi ash base, and Hamilton, a mindi ash statement refectory table with a parquet top, available in two sizes.
“The concept behind the Dexter side tables was to create a statement piece that could enhance the feel of different room settings, using high-quality materials and traditional carpentry techniques,” comments James Hudson, business development director at Gallery Direct who, along with Mat Penney’s design concept directive and the wider team, created Dexter.
“The Dexter range has contemporary options that create two distinctive looks from one table design. Both pieces combine the best of traditional craftsmanship with new technology and materials. They combine classic, elegant designs with a contemporary feel and are highly commercial, yet design led.”
Judge Rob Scarlett comments: “It’s well designed, warm, with really nice proportions – on the dining table in particular. Encompassing pine, grey and round tables, it’s something that’s quite on trend as well. This range will be as relevant in five years’ time as it is now – I’m particularly driven by its longevity.”
“As part of the wider range it’s an extremely well-finished, very boldly-priced item from a strong brand name”
Robert Shotton adds: “It’s definitely the type of product that won’t date.”
Tristan Lynch adds: “They’re quite quirky pieces as well, the sort of thing that you might pass down to your children. Some of the elements might not work perfectly well purely on their own, but as part of the wider range it’s an extremely well-finished, very boldly-priced item from a strong brand name.”
This article was published in the March issue of Furniture News magazine.
