Member Article

Furniture retailer unveils showroom in UK first

The UK’s first ever showroom dedicated to a range of beds owned by celebrities and sporting stars has been unveiled by leading Midlands furniture retailer, Lee Longlands.

The established family company has joined forces with Frank Hudson, itself an historic brand which has been creating classic and contemporary designed furniture for three generations.

Lee Longlands’ flagship Birmingham store has secured the range of iconic beds from Frank Hudson for a dedicated showroom, including the Dove ‘bed for lovers’ which was commissioned especially to celebrate the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Lee Longlands managing director, Robert Lee, said: “We are delighted to have the first Frank Hudson Furniture Gallery in the UK.

“The range has been designed and made to the highest stands of superb, traditional craftsmanship, beautifully constructed and hand-finished. The Frank Hudson attention to detail reflects our own ethos at Lee Longlands, and the affordable range complements the excellent quality and value for money of the other ranges across our stores.

“Frank Hudson beds are resplendent, opulent and luxurious, and are the choice of celebrities from sporting stars to famous musicians and A-list actors to royalty. We’re thrilled that we’re able to offer our customers in the Midlands the same opportunity.”

Andy Shingler, National Sales Manager at Frank Hudson, added: “Our association with Lee Longlands has been developed over many years and we are delighted to be working with them to showcase our luxury range of beds & furniture in a unique setting.”

Pride of place in the showroom is given to the Dove bed, created specifically with the young newly-weds Kate and William in mind.

Designed by Rex Hudson, now 82 years old, the Dove is hand-carved from solid wood, and then hand-painted to create the impression of swags of sumptuous fabric. Two doves, symbolising love, are the focus of the velvet-covered head.

It is not the first bed to be designed for royalty. Rex Hudson’s father, Frank Hudson, who began his career in 1917 as an apprentice trainee working with the Italian wood carver Tulio Cain, counted HM The Queen among his customers.

Mr Lee added: “In fact, the Duke of Westminster has the Frank Hudson Safari bed – crafted using rich mahogany and capturing the essence of the African plains as its based on sketches from the royal family’s Kenyan bolthole, Treetops.”

The range features the Alexandria, owned by Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher and England football team captain Steven Gerrard, which is heavily influenced by the rich landscape of Egypt, with a nod to the diversity of French style on Egyptian interiors.Other designs in the range include Glamour Gothic, Vintage Provençal and Colonial Vermont.

The Frank Hudson Furniture Gallery is one of several showrooms at the flagship store, with four floors dedicated to fashionable furniture and home furnishings including sofas, sofabeds, bedroom furniture and dining tables and chairs. Lee Longlands also has a dedicated flooring department with all the top brands including Brintons and Crucial Trading as well as stocking global interiors brands including Duresta, Natuzzi and Ligne Roset.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Be Bold Public Relations .