This will be the 39th annual showcase for the renowned institution with expectations high for an extraordinary display of fine furniture crafted by this year’s graduating cohort of talented makers.
From Thursday 13 June to Saturday 15 June 2024, visitors will have the exclusive opportunity to witness an array of exceptional pieces meticulously crafted by those on the intensive 30-Week Professional Course.
Known for its international reputation for kickstarting the careers of skilled woodworkers, the Chippendale School’s Professional Course equips aspiring furniture makers with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the industry, covering everything from design techniques to marketing strategies.
The 2023/24 course cohort boasts 30 exceptionally talented students hailing from all over the world, from the Dominican Republic to Germany, Holland, France, Canada and the USA.
Among the spotlighted makers is Kevin Tronel from France whose matching pair of mid-century easy chairs and vinyl record cabinet, both made from Oak, are a perfect example of the joy in putting a contemporary twist on a traditional style.
Also gracing the exhibition is Maria Hensley from the UK, presenting her hallway bench in Oak and Danish woven cord. Attendees can also marvel at the striking fluted column cabinet in Sycamore made by Chlomo Hutcheson from Edinburgh.
Tom Fraser, Principal, commented: “Our annual Graduate Exhibition is a testament to the dedication and talent of our Professional Course students.
“Year after year, we are inspired by the creativity and ingenuity displayed in their final designs.
“This event offers a unique opportunity for visitors to witness the finest emerging global furniture design talent and even take home a piece that captivates them.”
Pizza and coffee on the day will be provided by local Edinburgh and North Berwick businesses Pizza Geeks and Steampunk Coffee. Admission to the exhibition is free, with advance booking of time slots required.
The Leith Collective launches “Furniture Reimagined” eco exhibition
Creating a home is an art form – choosing furniture can be an act of creative self-expression, but upcycling furniture can take that creativity to a whole new level. This is especially evident in a brand-new eco exhibition, Furniture Reimagined, open now in Edinburgh.
Taking place at The Leith Collective, Furniture Reimagined features the work of environmentally-conscious artists from all over Scotland, brought together by a shared vision to breathe new life into old household items.
All manner of furniture from a range of eras features in the exhibition – from re-upholstered vintage chairs to contemporary doors turned into mirrors.
Some items needed some simple TLC to bring them back to their former glory, whilst others have been recycled, repurposed and reworked into something completely original.
The timing of the exhibition is no coincidence. It is around this time of year that UK householders spring clean and send a host of household items straight to landfill. The artists behind this exhibition hope their work will encourage people to think twice before doing so, and keep furniture in use for longer to reduce waste.
Speaking ahead of the exhibition launch, The Leith Collective founder Sara Thomson commented: “The furniture featured in this exhibition was built to last. These items have all had a life, they have maybe had a few knocks along the way (haven’t we all?!) but that’s no reason to discard them and replace them with a modern MDF flatpack item.
“This exhibition shows that with a little imagination, many household items can be transformed – not just turned back into something functional, but into something truly beautiful.”
Furniture Reimagined is open now until 31st May 2023 and is free to view at all three Leith Collective stores – Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal and Fort Kinnaird, as well as Glasgow’s St Enoch Centre.
Some exhibition items are available to purchase and delivery is available.
The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal Ocean Drive, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ Opening hours: Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm
The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird
Newcraighall, Edinburgh, EH15 3RD
Opening hours: 10am – 8pm seven days a week
The Leith Collective at St Enoch Centre Glasgow, G1 4BW – Opening hours: 10am – 5pm, seven days a week
For more information about The Leith Collective head to www.theleithcollective.com, email info@theleithcollective.com, or call 07447 659 999.
Which? reveals best and worst shops for furniture and homeware
In a difficult year for retailers, high-quality products and five-star customer service proved the difference between the winners and losers in Which?’s survey of the best and worst shops for furniture and homeware.
With many people turning their attention to home improvements in the period between Christmas and New Year, the consumer champion surveyed thousands of members in August who had recently bought items ranging from cushions and lamps to beds and sofas.
Which?’s experts asked for their views on value for money, customer service and product quality, as well as their experience with deliveries and returns.
In a list of almost 50 shops including Argos, Ikea, John Lewis, Marks and Spencer and TK Maxx, the lowest rated of all the retailers in the Which? survey was Harveys (58%), which went into administration in June and has now stopped trading.
Customers told Which? they were particularly unimpressed by Harveys’ product range/availability, its after-sales service and performance on returns. One unhappy customer said the company “Did not deliver the sofa as promised, they had very poor customer service and could not tell us if the sofa was in the warehouse or even in the country”.
Furniture store Dwell (60%) fared only slightly better in the rankings, receiving poor ratings for its product range/availability and quality of products.
One Dwell customer, who had bought bedside cabinets, said: “I didn’t receive the service I expected from Dwell, the online store wouldn’t apply a discount so I ordered over the phone, and had trouble getting a firm delivery date. The goods arrived damaged although when I eventually got to speak to someone they did give me a discount.”
DIY store Homebase (62%) came third from bottom, with product range/availability and quality both only receiving two out of five stars from customers. Staff were given three stars for their helpfulness and knowledge. One shopper told Which? “the store is quite depressing” although several noted the layout was good for maintaining social distancing.
John Lewis & Partners (84%) was the top rated retailer for homeware and furniture.
The well-loved department store had customers raving about its after-sales service, product guarantees and warranties, and customer service. When explaining their experiences shoppers used words like “reliable”, “trustworthy” and “consistent”.
In second place was specialist kitchenware supplier Lakeland (83%).
Shoppers gave it five stars for its range/availability, product quality, staff helpfulness, after-sales service and guarantees. One customer summed up their experience by telling Which?: “Products aren’t cheap but are always of excellent quality. Service is first class.”
Ikea (80%) came in joint third place. Best known for its flatpack furniture, shoppers gave it top marks for value for money. While the in-store shopping experience was described as a “day out” by one shopper, another complained about the “marathon trek which is difficult to shortcut” and instead opted for home delivery as a result.
Also in third place were TK Maxx and Homesense (80%). Shoppers gave the stores a full five stars for value for money. Many said they were good for store browsing, using words like “unique” and “unusual”. However not all customers were convinced as one shopper said the store could be “chaotic”.
Marks and Spencer (79%) was the joint-fifth highest rated for furniture and homeware. Shoppers gave it a full five stars for product quality and staff helpfulness as well as for its warranty or guarantees. Many shoppers used words like “convenient” or “easy” to describe their experience.
When it came to Amazon (75%), customers gave the online marketplace a full five stars for product range and ease of delivery. One shopper who had bought kitchenware praised the “tremendous range of goods and the fast and reliable delivery”. However, other customers criticised the excessive use of packaging.
Customers rated Argos (73%) highly for value for money, ease of delivery and staff knowledge. Many of those surveyed noted that the Argos website is easy to navigate, however some found that products were at times out of stock.
Overall, three in 10 shoppers told Which? that cost was the most important factor when choosing a retailer to buy their furniture and homeware from. One in five (18%) customers looked for the shop that had the best range.
Gareth Shaw, Head of Money at Which?, said: “Spending so much time at home this year has inspired many of us to upgrade our interiors – and the challenges of this year have really emphasised the differences between retailers that offer a great experience and customer service, and those that don’t.
“If you’re investing in new furniture and homeware, our research shows it’s worth looking beyond enticing deals and buying from a retailer you can rely on.”
Edinburgh residents are being urged to avoid the bonfire and send their unwanted furniture to a new home this season.
In Scotland more than 125,000 sofas are thrown away each year and end up in landfill. The rest – just 15% – are re-used. With Guy Fawkes’ celebrations just around the corner, Zero Waste Scotland is calling on Edinburgh residents to help boost that figure and give their goods a new lease of life simply by contacting the Re-use Line.
Created by Zero Waste Scotland, the initiative allows householders to arrange for large re-usable items, such as dining tables and sofas, to be collected, free of charge, and used by someone else. This reduces the amount of furniture that needlessly ends up in landfill – or on November bonfires – by making it easy, free and convenient to donate it instead.
Andrew Pankhurst, Re-use Campaigns Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “More than 7,500 items have been donated via the Re-use Line since it was established in 2014, which is fantastic news for Scotland both environmentally and socially. The figures around re-use are staggering. The re-use of sofas saved from landfill each year contributes around £1.5million to the Scottish economy through sales and employment, and the carbon emissions prevented by re-using is equivalent to taking 682 cars off the road.
“There used to be a huge amount of hassle involved in disposing of unwanted furniture but the Re-use Line is a free, efficient solution. Its impressive uptake within just two years clearly shows it has been welcomed by householders and it’s doing its bit for local communities by supporting jobs and providing items for people in need.”
Householders can donate via the Re-use Line online anytime at www.reusephoneline.com, or by phone on 0800 0665 820 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. An answerphone service is available at weekends.
Common items picked up by the service include sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes, white goods and beds that are in good condition. Zero Waste Scotland advises householders that sofas and armchairs must have their fire tags still in place to comply with regulations around re-sale, and to ensure items are not broken or damaged.
Many items picked up are sent to second hand stores which are accredited as Revolve stores, a quality standard for second hand shops that meet high standards and levels of customer service.
Encouraging greater re-use of items is a key part of Zero Waste Scotland’s work on creating a circular economy, where products and materials stay in the highest value state for as long as possible.
The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
