All posts tagged: Furniture

Major furniture company collapses – 297 workers made redundant

Major furniture company collapses – 297 workers made redundant

Published by Sam Flores

Nearly 300 workers have lost their jobs at a Welsh furniture firm after it entered administration. Westbridge had been a well-known furniture designer and manufacturer, providing sofas and other upholstered goods to numerous high street and premium independent retailers. The company employed just under 300 staff at its facility in Holywell, Flintshire. In March, Chris Pole and Will Wright from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to Westbridge Furniture Limited and Belfield Leisure Limited, based in Derbyshire. They had maintained both operations while evaluating market interest in purchasing them and protecting the jobs and facilities. However, the joint administrators released an update on Westbridge earlier this week, confirming that 297 employees had been dismissed, reports Wales Online. They stated: “Chris Pole and Will Wright from Interpath were appointed joint administrators to the company on March 23, 2026, following operational disruption, weak trading and the loss of a key customer. Since their last update the joint administrators had maintained operations at Westbridge Furniture, while they completed outstanding work in progress and assessed interest in the business. “Without …

Gik Acoustics SoundBlocks Review: Good-Looking Acoustic Treatment

Gik Acoustics SoundBlocks Review: Good-Looking Acoustic Treatment

Published by skeptic

For audiophiles like me, achieving the highest possible sound quality is the top priority—but I still care about how my space looks. This aesthetic component is the failure point of many acoustic panels, which are wall attachments or modular blocks designed to absorb background noise, reduce echo, and improve the general sound of a given room. At worst, they look like burlap-sack tapestries. At best, though—as I recently learned when I tested Gik Acoustics’ Soundblocks system—they look like high-design conversation pieces that marry function and visual sophistication. Gik Acoustics makes acoustic panels that don’t look like weird hunks of insulation. Its SoundBlocks system that I tried out in my home studio and office allows three panels to stack together to form little walls that look legitimately cool, more like wooden sculptures than professional music gear. My most stylish friends have complimented the panels and guessed they were either a high-end guitar amp cabinet or an actual sculpture. Nobody identified them as acoustic panels. Importantly, the panels have also improved my listening and recording experience. Why …

Sofa Club Review: Is This ‘Sofa In A Box’ Brand Worth The Hype?

Sofa Club Review: Is This ‘Sofa In A Box’ Brand Worth The Hype?

Published by Sam Flores

We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, HuffPost UK may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication. There are many harsh realities we face as adults: cheese is actually really expensive; the worst person you know is probably being told by their therapist that they’re really reasonable; and that we are doomed to spend the rest of our lives forever trying to find the answer to ‘what’s for dinner?’. But one I didn’t anticipate is just how difficult it is to buy a sofa. I’ve spent the last six months renovating a 150 year old flat in Edinburgh and thanks to that being one endless stress, I officially only want to walk the path of least resistance where I can. Unfortunately the road to getting a sofa is full of potholes. …

Outdoor garden furniture trends for al fresco living

Outdoor garden furniture trends for al fresco living

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more When it comes to good vibes and that happy, carefree feeling when relaxing under a blue sky, there’s nothing quite like pulling up a chair in your own private sanctuary. Whether it’s a garden escape, bijou balcony or pukka patio, there’s a growing trend for transforming outdoor spaces into immersive, restorative retreats. Indeed, think a wellness garden where you can recline, a dedicated area for relaxation, and focus on al fresco slow living; where thoughtful design and furnishings take centre stage. Here’s how to create this season’s most coveted destination, without leaving home… “As summer approaches, we naturally start seeking ways to capture that holiday feeling… longer days remind us that a getaway doesn’t always require a plane ticket,” highlights Daniel Smith, founder of …

Best garden furniture based on 2026’s biggest trends

Best garden furniture based on 2026’s biggest trends

Published by Sam Flores

I’ve been an interiors and lifestyle journalist for more than a decade and regularly write for The London Standard, Sunday Times Style, HTSI, and more, plus glossies like House Beautiful, Country Living, Livingetc, amongst others. I don’t just report on decor trends, but shape them with influential stories that inspire how people design their homes. Source link

The Case of a Mid-Century Modern Furniture Thief

The Case of a Mid-Century Modern Furniture Thief

Published by Sam Flores

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Now Playing LA’s ‘Most Tasteful’ Burglar: The Case of a Mid-Century Modern Furniture Thief 25:41 UP NEXT Parents v. The Platforms: the families who fought big tech and won 11:55 Videos show Iran’s drone army puncturing U.S. and allied defenses 03:48 Video analysis contradicts government’s account 03:00 Video Investigation: How the Israeli military responds to allegations of abuses in Gaza 10:06 Videos contradict Trump’s claim Minn. driver ‘viciously ran over’ officer in fatal ICE shooting 02:46 Filmed in Gaza: Two NBC News journalists on what it is like to cover the Israel-Hamas war from inside Gaza 51:12 Giving birth while in custody: The hidden struggles of pregnant women in U.S. jails 17:48 The Gray Wave: Rising Homelessness for American Seniors 09:59 This Hit Home: Reporting on the Texas Hill Country Floods 17:03 Hidden Invasion: Inside Rwanda’s covert war in eastern Congo 09:18 These moms use blogs to fight back against church abuse 04:46 The Children’s Pastor: The 40-year mission to …

Holocaust survivors in France came home to stolen apartments, looted furniture and bureaucratic hurdles

Holocaust survivors in France came home to stolen apartments, looted furniture and bureaucratic hurdles

Published by Sam Flores

(The Conversation) — In 1945, an angry mob confronted Aba Mizreh and four of his sons outside their former home in Paris. The Jewish family had hidden in Lyon during World War II, only to learn that their apartment had been looted and rented in their absence. Despite an eviction notice, the new tenants refused to leave, leading to a street fight. Following the violent confrontation, Mizreh wrote to the French government. “Don’t I have the right, after having suffered so much, to get my property back?” he asked. “Haven’t I really paid enough for this war?” Mizreh, then 68, was just one of the 160,000 Holocaust survivors from Paris who struggled to rebuild their lives after the devastation of the Nazi occupation. Of his 11 children, five sons had fought for France and six of his children had been deported; at least two were murdered at Auschwitz. Now he simply wanted to return to the two-bedroom apartment that served as his home and furrier workshop in order to support his wife and orphaned grandchildren. …

The best rattan garden furniture for 2024, recommended by experts

The best rattan garden furniture for 2024, recommended by experts

Published by Sam Flores

As we approach longer days and warmer weather, now’s a good time to look for the best rattan garden furniture. You’ll want garden chairs on the patio, the barbecue going and a bottle of rosé chilling in an ice bucket. Former Telegraph gardening writer Cinead McTernan is a rattan enthusiast. “My modular corner sofa has absolutely transformed how much we use our outdoor space,” she says. “I go for synthetic polyethylene rattan because it’s so light and easy to look after. A quick blast with a pressure washer at the start of the season and you’re ready to go.” As McTernan suggests, synthetic rattan garden furniture is a good choice because it’s usually more waterproof and sold with a long warranty. McTernan bought her set from Sweeek but there are great selections at Maze and Outsunny among others, ranging from under £300 to over £2,000. You can find our full reviews of the best rattan garden furniture below, followed by answers to frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look …

The best pressure washers in the UK for cleaning garden furniture and patios – tested | DIY

The best pressure washers in the UK for cleaning garden furniture and patios – tested | DIY

Published by Sam Flores

The trouble with the great outdoors is that it gets a bit untidy. Your garden tools might do a good job of keeping your plot in check, but keeping your patio, decking and outdoor furniture spick and span can take hours, especially if you rely on a bucket of soapy water and a scrubbing brush. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. That’s where the pressure washer comes in. These handy tools connect to your hose pipe and squirt water at any cleaning problem. Stubborn and unpleasant stains, from bird dirt to years of neglect, can be lifted from your garden’s hard-wearing surfaces in seconds. With the right attachments, you can also use your pressure washer to hose down cars, bikes and boats. At a glance £119.90 at Amazon £75 at Argos £224 at Just Lawnmowers £115 at Amazon Why you should trust me I’ve been testing all sorts of cleaning gadgets for years. I’ve tested vacuum cleaners, mops, hard-floor cleaners, carpet cleaners, …

Humanscale’s New K Lounge Chair Is the Ultimate Home Office Workstation

Humanscale’s New $15K Lounge Chair Is the Ultimate Home Office Workstation

Published by skeptic

The chair starts at $8,995, but that doesn’t include the side table or ottoman. Add those and it costs $10,995. The model pictured above uses Alpaca wool fabric and brings the cost up to $14,995. (There are more than 300 fabrics and colors to choose from, and the swiveling table comes in various woodgrains.) The Herman Miller Eames, of which the Diffrient Lounge also takes inspiration, costs roughly $8,500 today, depending on which leather you choose. “The Eames is obviously an iconic design—it’s timeless, it’s beautiful—but it’s not something you can work comfortably in for a long time,” Silva says. Levers on the edges of the armrest let you mechanically adjust the recline of the backrest and headrest. Photograph: Julian Chokkattu Don’t let the Lounge in the name fool you. Silva assures me that every chair the company designs is built with ergonomic comfort in mind, with the adjustable work surface and headrest allowing for different postures. While traditional lounge chairs focus on style, Silva says the Lounge prioritizes comfort. In my brief time on …