Uncommon People – The Refined Elegance of Yorkshire Interior Design Firm Furnish & Fettle
There’s a well-worn proverb in Yorkshire that says, “where there’s muck, there’s brass.” In other words, if you’re willing to get your hands dirty, there’s money to be made. It conjures up images of a culture dominated by a kind of grubby authenticity that, perhaps, puts more value in money, itself, than the lifestyle money may afford one to live. And, yet, it’s far removed from the reality of the 21st Century Yorkshire, as demonstrated admirably by fledgling, Wetherby-based interior design retailers and consultants, Furnish & Fettle.
Sure, they may describe themselves as, “straight forward Yorkshire folk,” and you only have to look at their name to get a sense of that: “Fettle” being a colloquial Yorkshire verb meaning to spruce or polish. Yet, for all their no-nonsense, plain-speaking rhetoric, it’s lifestyle that sits at the core of their design ethos: and it’s no meagre lifestyle, at that. The firm’s projects to date deliver an almost stately elegance that tip their hat to the contemporary, but are, above all, steeped in a timeless sense of restrained opulence.
Riluxa spoke to designer Emma Howson to attempt to get to the essence of Furnish & Fettle’s Northern grandeur.
Emma Howson - Interior Designer at Furnish & Fettle
Furnish & Fettle: it’s a very pragmatic, somewhat functional, business name. You almost get the sense that it’s more doing than thinking. But then you look at the projects you’ve carried out to date and it’s clear that what’s going on in these spaces is very much the result of a strategic, mindful approach to interior design. Are Yorkshire people simply more bashful about their scholarly prowess? Is it crass to show off?
It is my belief that if you are trying too hard to show off, you are probably covering something up! We are very fortunate at Furnish & Fettle that we have a fantastic team of experienced and highly skilled designers. This means we know what we’re good at, so there is no need to show off. We are confident in what we can deliver, so in addition to the project management and installation side of “getting things done”, we are also hugely passionate about getting the design process right. There is a psychological factor in the way that we move through and use space, and that has to be factored into the design process. Of course, the space has to look great, but [an almost] scientific approach has to be considered, alongside the artistic approach when it comes to Interior Design.
Harrogate Showroom
When you look at some of the projects you’ve carried out so far – of which the Harrogate town house is a great example – you definitely get a sense of this restrained opulence we’re hinting at. Delicate touches of silver and gold; embroidered Colefax & Fowler blinds; a muted colour palette that emphasises peacefulness over showiness. It’s almost regal in its reservedness, isn’t it? What’s the essence of good taste for you, as a designer?
As a designer I believe there is no such thing as good taste. Good design, definitely, but taste is a personal matter; there is no good or bad. One of the reasons that I love being a designer is that no job is the same: every client has different needs, different preferences and a different lifestyle. Good design should encompass a whole range of things: spatial design, lighting design, lifestyle factors, practicality, sustainability, budget, and of course, personal taste. Once you get all of those aspects right, good taste becomes irrelevant.
There’s a sort of Mid-Century Modern meets Art Deco meets Victoriana approach to Furnish & Fettle’s aesthetic. It’s a rather lovely stylistic combination, yet it feels very typical to Yorkshire, wouldn’t you agree? Why do you think that is? Is it, somehow demanded by the jewelled landscape of hills, fields and sandstone architectural landmarks like Halifax’s Piece Hall and the Ripon Cathedral?
Firstly, thank you. We love the style of our showrooms and get so many compliments on them all, so we must be doing something right! Our job as designers is not to push any one particular style, but to provide a wealth of inspiration, which is probably why you had trouble pinning down our exact style! Most of our clients are Yorkshire based so are inevitably inspired by the environment surrounding them and the architectural styles of the area. However, we will always try to discourage following a trend or doing something just because it worked for someone else. Design is so personal to each individual and it’s our job to help people to determine what that style is for them.
Harrogate Showroom
The type of client you work with is, of course, largely defined by the range of products you carry in your showrooms. However, the business very much prides itself on a collaborative approach to interior design. Really, it’s a case of working out the intricacies of a very well-established style, isn’t it? What makes a great consultant, in that case?
A great consultant is someone who can not only listen to a client, but [also] interpret what they really mean. As most of our clients do not come from a design background themselves, sometimes it can be difficult to communicate what it is that they want – they may not even know themselves yet! A great designer should be able to provide inspiration and ideas, determining the client’s wants and needs and help them to make that a reality. Working with a designer should also be a fun process and one that the client enjoys, so it’s also important not to take it all too seriously and to take pleasure in the process.
Pocklington Showroom
You’ve been a guest speaker on the Interior Design undergraduate programme at York St John University. Five years after graduating with a First Class Honours degree from the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme at Northumbria University, yourself, do you see the same passion for timelessness coming through in today’s crop of budding interior designers? What are the young folks into, in other words?
University is usually where people are most passionate about design, they are introduced, usually for the first time, to the huge range of work that surrounds a career in design. Students are surrounded by constant inspiration, support and encouragement, and they haven’t yet been beaten down by practicalities, difficult clients or regulations. This means that they are a fountain of new inspiration and ideas; something that I feel is very important to preserve and encourage, and the main reason that I love to maintain a connection with design students. Timeless designs come with experience and I don’t think that students need to be overly concerned with it initially; it will come to them with time. Although I can’t speak for young people and what their interests are, what I will say is that it is important to nurture those interests. It’s what makes you an individual and what will ultimately influence your design work in the future.
Wetherby Showroom
Obligatory COVID-19 question, I’m afraid. How has it affected things? Obviously, the enforced closure of the showroom during lockdown will have been a trying time for everyone in the business, but what about the downtime it’s given people to focus on remodelling their homes? Have you noticed a significant shift in the number of people demanding wide-scale interior design projects? Home comforts are, after all, more important than ever right now, aren’t they?
Of course, this has been a testing time for everyone. However, as a business we have been very fortunate to have had a really good year. As you mention, people have spent more time than ever at home, they haven’t been going on holidays and those fortunate enough to hold onto their jobs have been saving money. This means we have had a lot of interest in entire home renovations, extensions and improvements and as we can continue to offer our design service virtually, we have all been kept very busy.
We have also taken this time to expand the business and set up our commercial Interior Design studio, One 6 Design. Although these are strange times, personally it’s quite an exciting time as I will heading up One 6 Design and we already have a few things in the pipeline. We will be working on everything from restaurants, bars, hotels and spas, to retail spaces, workplace design or public and leisure spaces. Hopefully this expansion of our business means that we have now have all of your Interior Design needs covered, from Technical Drawings, VR Visualisation or Project Management, to help with home schemes, paint colours or simply some honest advice. We’re always happy to help, now more than ever, and of course, being, “straight forward Yorkshire folk,” we’re a very friendly bunch too.
To find out more about Furnish & Fettle’s expert consultation service, visit their website.
Looking for something else to read? Check out our interview with Janey Butler Interiors.