Wednesday 22 August 2012

Fly The Flag & Buy British


Fly the flag and buy British



I love the patriotic feeling the jubilee and now the Olympics has evoked over recent months.  The whole country has embraced the British theme and are proud to fly the British flag and drape bunting to celebrate. It’s time now for the nation to get behind the country and buy British.  We can see the effect that the recession is having on our high street shops, it’s so sad to see so many of our favourite shops closing down and either remaining empty or pound shops taking their place.  It’s no wonder consumers are being forced to shop on line.  It is very clear to me that now more than ever the British public must get behind their local retailers and support them in order they survive and continue to provide employment.

(Fabrics above and below all available from Honeysuckle Interiors from £15 per metre)

Shoppers are being urged to "Buy British" in an attempt to boost the UK's flagging manufacturing industry.  Out of choice we should support suppliers of British-made goods in preference to "poor quality, often unsafe" imports. The feasibility of this is becoming more difficult as in a bid to cut costs businesses are being forced to out source abroad.

Quality and style are important factors when choosing new furniture and buying trends are about to change.  Five years ago consumers wouldn’t think twice about buying into the latest look with the intention of renewing again in 2-3 years price and value was therefore key. It’s easy to see why the demand for cheaper furniture was fuelled and made even easier to purchase on interest free credit to have it now and pay later basis.

Having been in the soft furnishing business for nearly 25 years I know that if you asked the same question 15 years or more ago people would expect their furniture to last much longer at lease 10 years or more.  Sofas were reupholstered, dining table tops were sanded down, re-varnished and chairs re-covered.   Customers bought into a brand like Ducal, G-Plan, Ercol, Stag to name a few and collected pieces of furniture over time and made it last.

The current “nostalgic look”   for interiors means that  so many pieces of once loved furniture are having a new lease of life. Loose covers on old chairs are recovered in faded old chintz and sit alongside their contemporary counterparts. Rather than being discarded for modern flat pack Ducal pine is being painted in French greys and shades of neutral to get the look.  G plan has become collectable along with some of the better quality furniture of the 1960’s and 70’s for the more modern interior.   

Expectations have changed, however, with an emphasis on the environment and the strain on land fill consumers are buying more conscientiously again.  The recession has meant that sadly not everyone can afford to just throw away their furniture and start afresh.  People are looking at investment pieces of furniture again in a view to them standing the test of time – this is great news for British manufacturers of fine furniture.

So before you rush out to buy new have a look at what you’ve already got and think about how you could use it differently. Make do or mend may just be the order of the day, but if you have to buy new BUY BRITISH!

Proud to be non high street Honeysuckle Interiors are a customer focussed curtain and furnishing business established in 1988.  Beautifully hand tailored curtains and furnishings made with care and pride is what they do exceptionally well.  From a metre of fabric to a complete make-over no job is too small.  Why not pop along to their lovely showroom in Oakley and meet the Design Team  where you’ll always receive a warm welcome. They boast one of the largest fabric and wallpaper libraries out side of London so you can browse at your leisure or let them guide you through all the choices available.  With years of experience professionally made and fitted,  you can be reassured that once you’ve been Honeysuckled you won't settle for anything less.

Showroom Open Tues-Sat 10.00am until 4.00pm
Tel: 01256 780831

(Fabrics above and below all available from Honeysuckle Interiors from £15 per metre)



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