Features: August '11
Interview with Dare Studios
We caught up with Sean Dare, designer at Dare Studios, to find out what's in store.
Furnish.co.uk recently spoke to award winning designer Sean Dare, the man behind Dare Studios, to find out more about the brand and what we can expect to see in the future. Dare Studios produces innovative, contemporary furniture, combining specialist techniques and materials, and championing the skills of local craftsmen.
How would you describe Dare Studios in three words?
Contemporary, classic, future heirlooms…that’s four, sorry!
Do you have an all time favourite designer or design?
I think that would be Vladimir Kagan.
Dare Studios was established in 2009, was it difficult to get your products noticed in such a difficult economic climate?
Surprisingly not! I think we came out with the right designs at the right time.
What do you think contributed to the success of the brand, leading your products to be stocked at iconic stores such as Liberty and the Conran Shop?
The contemporary market is notoriously fickle so we tried to produce contemporary classics. Our designs aren’t youthful as such. They are quite reminiscent of old designs but with a distinctly contemporary function.
What is the most ambitious bespoke project you have undertaken so far?
Probably the time we were commissioned to make some rosewood cabinets for a private client in Dulwich. We’d never used rosewood in the studio before and so we weren’t aware that certain batches of rosewood timber could cause allergies…until it brought down three of our workshop staff with allergic reactions!
What has been the bestselling piece at Dare Studios, and why do you think this is?
Definitely our Katakana Writing/Laptop desk. I think it’s partly because it is designed to be such a contemporary classic, but also because so many people are working from home these days so are more willing to invest in a good design. Again we seemed to hit upon the right design at the right time!
What can we expect to see from Dare Studios in the near future?
We’re very busy at the moment preparing for the launch of our new designs this coming September. Look out for our take on upholstery and the addition of dining tables and dining chairs to the range.
Quick Shop: Bar Stools
Stylish and funky, create instant impact in your home with a colourful bar stool
Break the mould within your home with one of these ultra chic bar stools. Perfect for creating an eating area within your kitchen or as a quick fix style update for your bar, these quirky stools will add an instant splash of colour to your space.
Whether you’re looking to splash out in red retro funkiness or make a statement with modern elegance, they’re sure to impress. Who says they only needn’t belong in a cocktail bar?
(Clockwise from left) Aly Alluminium Adjustable Bar Stool, £159, from Love Your Home For Less, BE362 Bar Stool, £87, from The Pole House, KNOLL Bertoia Bar Stool With Seat & Back Pad, from Utility, Arper Babar Stool With Backrest, £438, from A White Room, Stokey Walnut Bar Stool, £145, from Alexander & Pearl, Lucido Bar Stool Range, £375, from Heal’s.
Quick Shop: Kids Beds
Delight your little ones and make bedtime more fun with one of these playful beds
Keep your child’s bedroom fun and carefree with an adorably cute bed. Whether your little one is a girly princess or a Thomas The Tank lover, we have lots of lovely beds, which are full of fun.
Practical solutions include the White Childs Truckle bed from Sweetpea and Willow which is perfect for a sleepover, while the Vista Bunk Bed will have little ones debating who gets the top bunk.
Whatever you choose you can guarantee bedtime stories will be all the more fun.
(Clockwise from left) Vista Bunk Bed – Pink or Blue, £431.10, from The Great Little Trading Company, Hideout Children’s Bed, £339.99, from Love Furniture, Fire Engine Toddler Bed, £108.00, from The Great Little Trading Company, Little Tikes Thomas The Tank Engine Bed, £279.95, from John Lewis, Nordic Style High Sleeper Bed Whitewash, £702.00, from The Great Litter Trading Company, White Childs Truckle Bed, £625.00, from Sweetpea and Willow
Pick Of The Sales
Find the latest bargains with our Pick Of The Sales, bringing you some of our most fabulous items now for less
Everyone knows times are tough but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a a beautiful home. So forget scrabbling around in the high street sales and do some home shopping instead. With our guide to the sales on Furnish, there’s no need to even get changed out of your jim jams.
The Light
Deco Light, Was £277, Now £249.30, from Decolight
If you want to bring a touch of glamour to your home, then look no further. Straight from the golden age of glamour and opulence, this spectacular clear glass droplet light from Deco Light is fabulous and guaranteed to bring a touch of that Ritz sparkle to your room.
Try using it in hallway to create a grand entrance or a bedroom to add a touch of glamour.
The Cushion
Appliqué Leaves Cushion, Was £30, Now £14-£15, from John Lewis
Cushions are a easy an affordable update and even more affordable when they’re half price. Our pick comes courtesy of this Appliqué Leaves Cushion from John Lewis. It offers the perfect way to tap into the craft trend which is so popular at the moment and is ideal for cosying up a sofa, chair or bed. Even better is that at this price, you can afford to buy more than one.
The Storage Solution
Lacquer Boxes Rectangular Set Of 3, Was £95, Now £57, from OKA
Storage boxes are a godsend if you’re a hoarder and a necessity if you’re a neat freak but who wants boring, brown boxes when you can have something as stylish as these Lacquer Boxes from OKA?
Three differently sized boxes mean you can stash away everything from out of season clothes to magazines and paperwork plus the red will bring a splash of colour to your space. What’s more at nearly half price, you can afford to splash out on more than one set which means your clutter can be sorted in every room.
Something For The Kids
White Eden Play Table, Was £195, Now £175.50, from Great Little Trading Company
With the summer holidays in full swing, you’ll need to ways to keep your little ones entertained. Here at Furnish we believe that furniture should not only look good, but be functional, quirky and above all fun too.
The White Eden play table provides fantastic play and storage solution for your little ones, with fabulous oversized drawers ideal for toys and a large table top for painting, drawing and crafting. Suitable for tots or juniors, it gives you piece of mind that’s it’s totally durable and safe against any spills and mess.
The Coffee Maker
Stelton Press Coffee Maker, Was £39.95, Now £35.96, from Utility
If you can’t get going in the morning before you’ve had a cup of Java, we’ve found a great way to make coffee all the more stylish. The Stelton Press Coffee Maker from Utility is ultra cool and comes in three colours; red, black and white.
And with just over four quid off, you can still afford a latte on the go.
Quick Shop: Bathroom Cabinets
Say no to a cluttered bathroom by keeping your toiletries at bay with a neat and stylish bathroom cabinet
Sometimes it can be hard finding an easy way to store all your knick knacks floating about the bathroom I, myself can very much vouch for this. So the simple solution? Choosing a neat and bang on trend cabinet. In an array of sizes and styles, there’s something to suit everyone.
To ensure maximum space, opt for something sleek and compact for that neat and seamless look. This will help to keep your bathroom light and fresh all year round.
(Clockwise from left) Inside-out Bathroom Cabinet, £375, from Lifestyle Bazaar, Chrome Dardo Corner Bathroom Cabinet, £176, from Heal’s, Retro Medicine Cabinet, £35, from Rose & Grey, Arden Double Bathroom Cabinet, £119, from John Lewis, Pinnacle Double Door Bathroom Cabinet, £399, from John Lewis, Brighton Mirror Cabinet, £135, from The White Company.
Quick Shop: Floor Lamps
Bring a touch of ambience to your room with a quirky and stylish floor lamp
Whether it’s extra warmth in the winter or vibrancy in the summer, the right floor lamp provides an excellent focal point for your room. Ranging from ultra cool to understated and subtly stylish, make sure you bring light into your life and most importantly, your interior.
To create a dramatic and striking feel, go for something bold to illuminate and impress or subtle to create a welcoming glow.
(Clockwise from left) Eichholtz Shipper Floor Lamp, £840, from Occa Home, King Floor Lamp, £750, from Utility, Tom Dixon Mirror Ball Floor Lamp, £127.50, from Utility, Bamboo Floor Lamp, £135, from Puji, Moooi Emperor Floor Lamp, £1,051, from Occa Home, Loco Clear Glass Drop Floor Lamp, £269.50, from Heal’s.
Quick Shop: Dining Room Chairs
Give your dining area a makeover with a range of stylish dining chairs
You can’t rely on the English weather this summer to dine alfresco, so make sure you dine in style with our most elegant and luxurious dining chairs.
The best part? If you don’t fancy having a complete makeover, changing your dining chairs provides a quick, cost effective solution to update any dining table and is a must for impressing guests! So make sure you indulge this summer for your ultimate dining experience.
(Clockwise from left) Sophie Pink Leather Dining Chair, £130, from Love Your Home For Less, Purple Velvet Medan Dining Chair, £180, from The Pole House, Marcel Dining Chair, £63, from Habitat, Zach Dining Chair, £136, from Habitat, Calligaris Easy Leather Dining Chair, £183, from Heal’s, Belgravia Silver Dining Chair, £195, from Sweetpea and Willow
