Another Country at Clerkenwell Design Week

Surprisingly I have not written about the fantastic Another Country before on ATELIER TALLY. How can this be? If you like veneers and laminates, look away now as I’m going to show you show solid wood furniture. *Gasp*

Another Country launched in 2010 to much acclaim in the industry. The brainchild of Paul De Zwart, founding publisher of Wallpaper* magazine who wanted to make furniture that would last and have a timeless appeal.

Another Country makes contemporary craft furniture calling on the familiar and unpretentious forms of British Country kitchen style, Shaker, traditional Scandinavian and Japanese woodwork. It’s the spirit and functionality of these honest forms of furniture that we endeavor to re-interpret for a modern customer.

“This first collection from Another Country is as clear and simple an interpretation of our intention as we could manage. The second mixes things up a bit.” Paul says when asked about the two collections that they have released.

The antidote to poorly made furniture, Another Country makes furniture from solid wood, FSC-certified no less, thankfully, creating objects and furniture that will last a lifetime and get passed down through generations. And these pieces will wear so well, as have products from the likes of Ercol in the past. Now we have a new player in this game and the world is all the better for it.

Jonah by James Harrison

I can’t pretend that this is the most ground-breaking piece of furniture on the market, but I am struck by three things of the Jonah sofa by Elle Decoration award-winner James Harrison.

Firstly, this sofa is in proportion with most modern homes, which is often not the case with furniture, especially from the high-street retailers… I mean, how are we supposed to get these things in to our homes – take the windows out?!

Secondly, £499. Need I say more? This is such good value for money and yes, I have sat in it and was pleasantly surprised. I am not going to say that it was the most comfortable chair I have ever sat it, but we’re all on a budget right so that Eames alu chair is going on hold.

Third, this sofa is made in the UK. Hurrah. I am a big fan of this label as we’re keeping people in manufacturing jobs, keeping skills alive and helping our economy just that little bit. We all want things to be cheaper but there is a cost that comes with that, so I am really pleased that Made.com have managed to make this product in the UK for a great price.

If this doesn’t replace the awful Klippan that, as a nation we seem to love so much, then I’ll be sorely dissapointed.

The Jonah seating collection consists of 7 pieces – two armchairs, three 2 seater sofas and two 3 seater sofas, available in berry red, warm grey or origami pattern. They are constructed from a solid wood frame with foam and fibre filling.

Made.com say “We champion the best in fresh, homegrown design talent. As soon as we met rising star James Harrison, we knew he was one for us.

To celebrate British design with a unique seating collection made here. In trademark style, James drew on retro lines and shaped them into something new and original – a modern classic.

The key is a clean look. So our makers build the cushioning into the structure, and craft a single seat cushion. They then clad it in linen mix fabric or cotton blend jacquard, with minimal seams to keep it crisp. Right now retro.”