Holt Harrison Blog

Taking our inspiration from nature, we aim to celebrate the textures, grains, colours and shapes of a wide variety of wood cuts across our Furniture Collection.

It’s inherent characteristics make wood a versatile medium to work with, but ultimately, we prefer to minimise our tampering; preferring to let the raw materials speak for themselves . From Burl Oak to French Walnut, we create tables, desks, benches and stools that compliment a wide variety of interior tastes.

Black American Walnut Bench

Of course, wood with wood can make for stunning pieces. But what happens when you want to compliment a stunning cut of wood with man-made materials such as steel or chrome?

Burl Oak Coffee Table with Square Steel Legs

Utilising wooden legs in the creation of our Burl Oak Coffee Table just didn’t seem to work practically or aesthetically. We had to find something that would take the weight whilst complimenting, rather than overwhelming the natural characteristics of the table top.

We also had to consider the practical necessities of the function of such a piece of furniture. A client may wish to move the table from time to time, thus supporting the weight of the table top with 3 single legs would potentially weaken the structure over time.

Fused into a specially manufactured square frame cut into the underside of the table top, a tripod leg design gave the piece the necessary strength whilst complimenting the colour, grain and bark structure of the Burl Oak.

Burl Oak Coffee Table with Steel Ribbon Legs

Utilising a similar cut of Burl Oak for another client looking for a more ornate finish to the base of the table, we came up with a ribbon leg design. The waves of the ribboned steel were devised to compliment the circular structure of the Burl Oak grain above. The strength of the steel was ideal as it was spread across a greater area of the heavy table top thus ensuring aesthetic considerations matched the practicalities of the piece.

Forging, tempering and oxidising metals such as steel can produce a variety of beautiful finishes and structural strength that will compliment dark and light wood furnishings.

We are constantly looking at innovative ways to bend metals to our way of thinking and we hope you’ll agree that the results are inspiring:

The Bleacher Bench with Polished Chrome Staple Legs

Burl Oak Coffee Table with Tripod Steel Legs

French Walnut Pebble Stools with Chrome Pin Legs

Perhaps these three terms are familiar to you. But if you thought they referred to ‘a book of maps’, ‘hitting the road as a band’ or ‘a means of binding pages together’, then think again.

These are in fact terms used to when working with textiles:

Atlas – A Warp Knit Fabric In Which A Set Of Yarns Shifts Diagonally One Wale Per Course For Several Courses , Then Returns To The Original Position.

Gigging – The Process Of Raising A Nap On Fabrics By Means Of A Teazle Machine.

Staple – A Lock Or Tuft Of Fibres Of Uniform Properties And Hence A Lock Of Tuft Prepared To Demonstrate Fibre Length.

Working with a wide variety of textiles, from rare breed wools to leather in the creation of our individual furnishings, sculpture and accessories involves an intimate knowledge of the properties, restrictions and opportunities they offer in the design and manufacturing process.

For example, when we were producing our Rare Breed Sheepskin Cushions, the quality of the staple was an essential element in the ‘look’ and ultimately ‘feel’ of the finished pieces.

These are the qualities that separate artisan creations from the ‘High Street’ and it’s this attention to detail that we hope our customers enjoy in their homes. We pride ourselves on celebrating the natural beauty of the raw materials we use and it’s this that forms the basis of every piece that bares the Holt Harrison name.

It doesn’t seem possible that a whole month has shot past since the St.John Autumn/Winter 2012-13 Collection graced the New York runways. Featuring our Conch and Hobble Bags husband and I set off for the show full of excitement and were not to be disappointed. It was a stunning collection featuring great quality fabrics including; mink, satin, silk and wool.

With something chic for all ages the girls showed off the designer’s sumptuous combinations of reds, blacks, camel and browns. Summing it up, I’d simply say ‘elegance at it’s best’ – a Collection to make you feel a million dollars.

Of our bags, the Fashion Week Daily had this to say:

“Oh and let’s talk about those incredible fur cross-body bags that are so large you could fit a bottle of Veuve inside but maintain a cool vibe with the Navajo brass buckles adorning the chocolate leather strap.”

Sadly, our time at New York fashion week was cut short as my husband took a tumble down a flight of stairs resulting in broken ribs, a trip to the emergency room and our swift departure back to the UK.

Thankfully before that hideousness, we were able to attend the after show party hosted by Cornelia Guest  where we mingled with the great and good of the New York party scene.

I’m pleased to say that the show has had a real impact on demand for the bags. No wonder the month has flown by; nursing my husband back to health, finishing furniture commissions and of course stitching bags to grace the shoulders of the followers of St.John.

A big thank you to this inspiring designer.