The Furniture Awards are bestowed on the industry's champion suppliers at the January Furniture Show each year. Organised by Furniture News magazine in partnership with the event, the awards aim to recognise the businesses leading the way in their own product categories.
British upholsterer Parker Knoll truly came out swinging at this year’s show, marking the start of its 150th year in business by launching Collection 150, a characterful sofa and chair collection that draws on historic designs yet meets modern demand. A success of reinvention, innovation and storytelling, Collection 150 confirms Parker Knoll’s reputation for quality and service, but also marks out its creative team as one of the best in the business.
Drawing on Parker Knoll’s recently restored Frederick Parker archive, Collection 150 was designed to celebrate the brand’s years of heritage, as well as its founder’s commitment to quality, skilled design, comfort and elegant proportions in upholstery.
Hoxton grand sofa in Charlotte Teal, with scatters in Bracklyn Blush, Blomfield Blush, Hampstead Teal and Wenlock Blush
The collection, which combines art deco influences with a contemporary aesthetic, comprises two sofa collections – Hoxton and Wycombe – alongside complementary chairs Shoreditch and Fitzroy.
As well as impressive comfort, the models boast details from contrast piping to brushed steel and brass-edged feet, and are accented by a carefully curated fabric collection, carrying everything from stylish textures to rich plains in a broad range of colours. Soft interiors, high backs and classic styles complete the offer.
“Our latest collection boasts the latest technology in re-engineering comfort, from cradle comfort to our new and exclusive foam seat interior. As a brand, we know functionality is key for the consumer – but a product must also be stylish, comfortable and good quality, and we must ensure it is fit for the modern consumer,” says head of marketing, Meisha-Grace Nicely.
“Our new collection is a reflection of this, a move forward for the brand. With the introduction of a new modern chesterfield and a square-arm, T-cushion shaped sofa, these designs mark a new style position for us.
“Being chosen as the winner is a great accolade – it really puts all the hard work of our teams into context, both leading up to the show and over the past 150 years. This year marks 150 years of great British furnituremaking for the Parker Knoll brand, and we will be celebrating this with an extensive campaign of commercial activity, including national advertising and marketing activity to drive brand awareness and brand growth.”
The judges said: “They’ve done a really professional job, applied so much innovation, and brought a great marketing story to the table. The original design cues were taken from authentic archived designs and documents that took two years to amass – but they haven’t slavishly reproduced them. The collection could so easily have been a pastiche as this period is really hard to interpret, but they’ve done a terrific job of taking heritage and removing the baggage.
“The fact they went to the trouble of not using off-the-shelf accents and fabrics, of adding a slight angle to the seat to improve the sit and encourage the cushions’ loft to return, of opting for those great feet … there’s so many things working in its favour. Parker Knoll is offering the consumer a piece of modern-day history, and supporting stockists with a rich promotional calendar to help them convey that.”
Pictured from from left: awards co-ordinator Paul Farley; Parker Knoll senior creative designer, Jo Butters; Parker Knoll head of marketing, Meisha-Grace Nicely; Parker Knoll sales director, Chris Everist; Parker Knoll chief executive, Donna Bellingham; and event director Cleere Scammel
