Be Seated

Brings Traditional Design Up To Date

A design from one of Edinburgh's brightest new furniture craftsmen has transformed the traditional Victorian loveseat with a 21st century look, it even played a leading role in Scottish Television's recent Home Show series.

A furniture restorer and upholsterer with almost 20 years experience, Peter Holmes produces bespoke 19th and 20th century furniture at his New Town workshop - Be Seated. But it is his new designs and the traditional skills he brings to them which are attracting most interest from some of Edinburgh's trendiest venues and homeowners.

The ideas for his contemporary take on the Victorian loveseat, which appeared on the Home Show, were sketched on the back of an envelope at his wife Fiona's bedside just days after the birth of his baby son, Charlie. The piece, invitingly shaped like a figure of eight and finished in beige wool fabric by Bute, was completed and on display in the workshop before Mum and baby arrived home!

Peter said: "It would normally take me slightly longer from concept to building the finished piece but I knew Scottish Television were interested in featuring the finished loveseat and that they were on a tight deadline.

I really had to finish it before Charlie came home because then I would have other things on my mind! It's still a very good example of the service I can deliver. Customers come in with a very vague concept or a picture of a piece they are interested in and I can turn these ideas from design to build, upholstering in high quality fabric to meet their requirements."

Peter's own knowledge of traditional furniture-making and upholstery skills were gained as a trainee under the wing of a former tradesman of Waring and Gillow, the prestigious Lancashire furniture makers, and through his experience of producing furniture in London, Melbourne, Sydney and Cape Town. A Member of the Association of Master Upholsterers, he puts this experience to good use, with each of his pieces hand finished to the highest standard of craftmanship.

"I aim to produce custom built designs which are timeless, not here today, gone tomorrow," he added. "My collection blends classic and contemporary styling with an end look which transcends all fads, fashions and periods and can be adapted to any living environment.

Be Seated are at:
35-37 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh, EH6 4AF
Telephone 0131 4787178