August 28, 2024

Collaboration: Todhunter Earle Interiors x Lorfords Contemporary - Great British Style

We couldn’t be prouder to announce our latest collaboration in partnership with interior design studio Todhunter Earle Interiors and their first ever upholstery collection. After months of hard work, development and relationship building, we have created what we feel is the best of British craftsmanship. From design through to manufacture, every piece is thoroughly considered to represent a perfect marriage of impeccable aesthetics and superb comfort, as well as a clearly defined commitment to sustainability.

“For over 20 years we have been perfecting the balance of combining comfort with style and functionality as well as mixing the modern and the traditional,” says Kate Earle, co-founder of Todhunter Earle. “Together with Lorfords we've created ten new unique pieces that reflect this aesthetic.”

“This collection has been really exciting for us as we’ve been able to showcase our expertise in bespoke designs, working closely with Kate and utilising the team’s wide range of skills,” explains Nasia de la Haye, MD for Lorfords Contemporary. “From modular configurations to corner sofas, perfectly square yet supremely comfortable pieces and antique replications, this collection has its own distinct personality, with silhouettes that vary from undulating curves to more structured lines.”

Hand-built in the Cotswolds by our team of in-house upholsterers, each design uses techniques to ensure lifelong durability. Materials have been chosen to continue a commitment to sustainable and ethical British construction. Frameworks for each piece of the collection have been made from FSC certified timbers and incorporate natural materials such as horsehair, 100% latex foam and responsibly sourced French feather and down.

THE COLLECTION

The Markham Armchair: This design was inspired by an antique chair that Kate discovered at auction. With its compact size and small footprint, The Markham makes the ideal all- rounder armchair. Perfect for small reading corners, dressing rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms or as additional drawing room seating, the chair has a unique curved upholstered back and fully sprung fixed seat, making it a design to be appreciated in 360 degrees.

The Carlyle: Characterised by its superb comfort and elegance, The Carlyle was designed originally for a drawing room project that required sofas to mirror each other either side of a fireplace. With distinctive pillow style back cushions of French feather and down and neatly tailored, elegant pleated arms, the design can be finished either with bullion fringe or an upholstered skirt. This sofa is modular and can be constructed on site. It is also available as an extra large version, a classic straight sofa, and as an armchair.

The Ilchester Armchair: Inspired by an antique piece from Kate Earle’s home, The Ilchester is a take on a classic fireside armchair, constructed with natural materials and a combination of modern and traditional upholstery techniques that provide both comfort and durability. With a fully sprung fixed seat and back, distinctive and smart button back detailing and scroll arms, the design has a traditional silhouette and a tailored finish. The arms have elegant pleats and the front legs are turned whilst the slim curved back legs have antique brass castors.

The Lowndes Sofa: Inspired by planning a contemporary London penthouse, The Lowndes sofa combines a modern aesthetic with traditional, hand-crafted comfort. Built in modular elements – a first for Lorfords Contemporary - the design is suitable for smaller access properties. Both sofa and accompanying armchair are mounted on a concealed solid beech plinth base – also a first for Lorfords Contemporary – so that the pieces appear to float off the floor. This sofa also features a completely seamless base. This sofa can be ordered as a corner piece.

The Lowndes Armchair: With a distinctive cubic framework, The Lowndes armchair has a contemporary style to it and precise, angular lines and sartorial detailing. Tall arms give a comforting cocoon like feel, whilst feather & down seat and back cushions create further luxurious, ‘sink-in’ comfort. The arms provide a useful place for resting a drink or device and provide an additional place to perch. Both designs are created from FSC beech wood frames, using all natural materials. This chair can sit beautifully alongside the Lowndes sofa, but works equally well on its own.

The Eccleston Sofa: A neatly tailored sofa characterised by distinctive curves that flow across the arms, seat and back, Kate has designed this sofa to look elegantly at home in any space from drawing room to bedroom. The Eccleston’s low, sweeping framework and curved front seat, single top cushion on a fully sprung base and coil sprung fixed back provides support whilst maintaining the purity of the design’s curves. A flat skirt with corner kick pleats accentuates the silhouette, but, like all Lorfords Contemporary pieces, is fully customisable with gathered, pleated or no skirt options.

The Cavendish Armchair: The chair that Todhunter Earle were always looking for but could never find, and is inspired by an antique bought at auction. A versatile piece with classical curved arms finished with piping, a plump French 70% down and 30% feather seat cushion provides the epitome of comfort - the down giving softness, while feathers provide loft and spring. The Cavendish is fully customisable in any fabric and can be finished with a range of different skirt styles.

The Berkeley Bench: A functional and sophisticated piece which has been incorporated into many Todhunter Earle projects, The Berkeley is ideal for hallway seating, as an ottoman, coffee table, behind a sofa or at end of bed. It is available in any size, as well as in both straight and corner formats. Featuring distinctive seamless upholstered leg detailing, the tailored design has piping on both top and mid seat. What defines the elegance of this piece is its proportions. Made from solid FSC beech wood, the frame is covered with 100% natural latex foam for comfort. The bench can be finished in any fabric and is available with fringing and different skirting options.

You can find more about the collaboration via our Instagram or view the full collection online here.