The Branded Furniture Company (sister company of Whitemeadow Furniture) have officially announced their partnership with English Heritage, as their exclusive collection with Barker and Stonehouse launched this September.
The unique collaboration is the fifth brand launched by TBFC, offering customers at Barker & Stonehouse the opportunity to purchase sofa ranges inspired by history. The collaboration has been brought to life alongside licensing agency Golden Goose who represent English Heritage’s licensing programme.
English Heritage are a charity that cares for more than 400 of historic sites in every corner of England. Some are internationally famous, some are local treasures, and all are there for everyone.
The three new ranges are each inspired by influential figures and historical landmarks of England, restored and taken care of by English Heritage, with royalties generated from sales directly supporting the charity to continue their preservation and story-telling work.
The Finch range explores the renowned history of Down House, the family home of Charles Darwin. The intricate hand-drawn floral pattern illustrates the Finch bird studied on Darwin’s great expedition to the Galapagos islands.
The visually impactful Quarry range includes a beautiful hand-painted design that celebrates the rhododendrons of Belsay Hall Quarry Gardens. The stunning garden, known as the Secret Garden of Northumberland, is brought to life through the exclusively designed Quarry pattern.
The Rosa range pays tribute to the heritage patterns found in Queen Victoria’s bedroom at Osborne. The Isle of Wight family home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert is renowned for its beauty and the intimate glimpse into Queen Victoria’s life. Discover the hand-painted English Rose design that perfectly evokes a sense of charm and sophistication of the Victorian era.
Jamie Bourn, Head of Brands, The Branded Furniture Company, commented: “We knew it was imperative from the outset to make sure this collaboration was truly authentic. Countless hours were spent digging through the extensive archive of English Heritage to find our inspiration and starting points for the ranges. We’re very proud of the result, right the way from the product, through to the execution in-store and marketing messaging. It’s been a real team effort between all parties involved.”
Careful consideration was given when selecting the exclusive partner for this collection. Barker and Stonehouse were found to be the perfect fit, a retailer with great heritage themselves and stores spread solely throughout England. Their impressive nationwide presence, combined with fantastic marketing and in-store execution were key for the partnership.
Lena, Head of Product & Displays, Barker and Stonehouse, said: “As a family-owned retailer with a 78-year history, we understand the importance of heritage, and so we were delighted to collaborate with English Heritage on this exclusive collection. Through its launch, we invite our customers to embark on a journey through time, and to celebrate history in the modern day, by bringing a piece of history-with-a-twist into their own homes. We are also grateful to The Branded Furniture Company for another successful collaboration together.”
Alexandra Bovey, Licensing & Commercial Development Manager, English Heritage, added: “It’s been a real pleasure to work closely with The Branded Furniture Company, who have created a collection that truly celebrates the unique sites and objects that English Heritage care for. The collection has been highly anticipated and well-received by the whole team at Barker and Stonehouse. We’re delighted with both the high-quality finished product and the excellent work that has gone into every aspect of showcasing our heritage.”
