Every now and again we come across a small company that has the same ethos as ourselves. To make beautiful things that will be a joy to use and look at for years to come. The new note book from “It is British” is one of these. With a hard cover in our Berbeck fabric, properly made by a bookbinder and an easily renewed and replaced spiral bound insert. We think it is the perfect way to record all your ideas, inspiration and musings for the day and many days to come.
I was watching an interview with the great Gerry Anderson yesterday on the day of his memorial service. The man that kept me spell bound as a small boy said something very astute that gave me renewed vigour on the Rapture and Wright adventure. ” stick to your guns, ignore the doubters if you have a dream and make it your own.” This as a result of being asked to direct a new show involving puppets – he hated puppets.
But the man changed the approach to puppeteering, making sure that he was the only one pulling the strings (oh, and you never saw his heroes trying to walk), the result – a classic. FAB.
“What is the difference between cheap and offering value?” This was a question put to me the other day and it one that constantly occupies me, and many other small business owners.
I could at this point trot out plenty of well used phrases, “buy cheap, buy twice” for example. However it seems to me that consumers must look beyond the headline price. All goods are not made equal and the price will generally reflect this.
A well designed item will benefit from thought and attention to detail in the conception and production process. Add to this the quality of the materials and the uniqueness that many small companies offer, and you should possess an item that will give you joy and faithful service for many years to come.
It is difficult to measure beauty or satisfaction in pounds, shillings and pence, but as you click on the “buy now” button. Take a minute to wonder. Will you be doing the same thing in a years time?
I was listening to a fascinating program on the radio the other day.The Interview was with an American tattoo artist who was about to set up a studio in London.
Now I am not a tattoo kind a guy, fear of needles probably. I realize that things have moved on from what my Grandmother would have considered post pub decoration for salty sea dogs. However my ears really pricked up when I heard him talking about the demand for bespoke designs. It’s obvious really. If you are getting something for life, it’s worth getting something you really want. That’s why we offer a bespoke service on our fabrics. Anchors aren’t an option.
A mechanical loom.
I have just returned from a visit to our weavers in Scotland. A factory floor full of crashing looms and miles of warp and weft that in the wrong hands (ie mine ) would have become a cats cradle in no time at all. There was even one gentleman valiantly trying to cut through the Kevlar warp that he had just finished weaving. It was taking a long time and judging from the state of his scissors it wasn’t for destined for any curtain maker that I knew. Still I had a happy few hours trying to work out how to turn my vaguest of ideas for next year into reality.
Setting the warp.
Every now and then we think “wouldn’t it be good if…..” That’s exactly what brought about the design of our latest COCOA SOFA. So many sofas are all arms and cushions, the bit you sit on seems an after thought. Not so the Cocoa. We think life’ s complicated enough. So here it is. A simple armless sofa of just the right dimensions to make it comfortable without dominating your room. Ladies and Gentleman I present THE COCOA SOFA.
…..I’ll let you into a few secrets about the interesting upholstery techniques we used in my next blog.
The Cocoa Sofa
Step 1 – Choose from 10 Heavenly plains.
For some time now, our clients have been asking for a plain fabric to compliment our printed designs. So here it is. A double sided lambswool, woven in Scotland, in ten delicious colours (twenty, if you count that the reverse is a different colour to the face). Perfect for upholstery or drape. We love it as unlined curtains.
Paradise Flower. Available in five different configurations.
Step 2 – Choose your pattern layout.
But that’s not all. Plucked from our box marked “wouldn’t it be good if….” we have come up with an ingenious development. A versatile printed pattern called PARADISE FLOWER, that can can be arranged in five different configurations, on any of the colourways to suit your scheme. What is more, since we print everything to order, there is no extra charge for using PARADISE FLOWER to turn your curtains and furniture into unique bespoke pieces.
Paradise Flower used as upholstery.
Paradise Flower 2. The standard all over design.
Step 3 ….or choose from our standard design.
Of course, if all these choices seem like a penance, absolve yourself by choosing from the standard all over design, available in ten different colourways.
So there you have it. Three steps to Heaven. All of them woven……
The sun almost made an appearance at our first Rapture and Wright trade day. Luckily the weather didn’t deter the 25 interior designers and members of the press that did turn out. With everyone leading such busy lives it was good to have the chance to sit down and talk to clients away from the usual distractions of work.
putting up the new wools
We were very excited to unveil our new plain and printed wools. Since they were hot off the print table, it was good to see the long lengths up in the studio and get some feedback about our exciting new ideas to create bespoke patterns without the cost, (more details about these in the next blog)
Thanks to everyone that made it. We enjoyed chatting to you and your feedback was, as ever, fascinating and perceptive.
We are planning more trade days and look forward to seeing many more of you at our print works in the near future
Introducing new products
May 6th saw our first studio open day. It was a busy day with over 350 people visiting the studio. Those that came were able to see behind the scenes in the workshop and quiz us about how we produce our fabrics.
We are also developing a display area to show sample lengths of fabric, wallpapers and accessories. There is a pleasing manufacturing meets merchandising mix to the space.
We will be organising further open days, but in the meantime you are very welcome to come and see us by appointment.
almost open studio
We are in the final stages of preparations for the Rapture and Wright studio opening tomorrow. Floors have been swept and fabrics hung. Come and see us. It will be a unique opportunity to see behind the scenes in the print studio. All the sample books will be available as well as our range of lampshades, cushions and accessories.
We look forward to welcoming you all.