This week I took a trip to Haverhill to visit the warehouse of the wonderful company, Pelikan. I not only had a good look at their collection, but I had a chance to sit down with the owners Penny and Rachel.
‘Romi Three Seater’
Pelikan is a furniture company that specialises in the restoration of Danish, mid-century sofas and chairs. While maintaining the sophisticated, minimalist style of Danish design from the 1930s to the 1960s, the Pelikan team revamp the furniture in modern wools and tweeds.
‘Coco Two Seater’
The concept and motivation of the company is to make vintage styles accessible and functional in today’s modern world. So often with buying vintage furniture, especially pieces that are in frequent use like a sofa, there’s always the slight hesitation that because of its age the piece will be too fragile to operate in the same way as a new sofa. However, the beauty of Pelikan is that they retain all the authenticity of the original design and style that mid-century modern has to offer but it is presented in a fashion that allows for the daily rough and tumble that comes with modern life.
‘Hera Armchair’
The company began to materialise after Penny, one of the co-owners, visited a friend out in Denmark and was struck by the beautiful furniture that filled the homes and buildings. Inspired by what she saw she began to delve into the mid-century world, finding a niche in the market for pieces that held the spirit of the past with the suitability and durability of the present.
‘Vera Three Seater’
The team have trusted places where they source all of their pieces from, after initially making to trips to Denmark themselves they developed a keen eye for fine craftsmanship and quality pieces, and with an abundance of designers, styles and pieces to choose from they seem to be spoilt for choice.
After their selected pieces arrive at the warehouse the process to finding the perfect fabric to suit the personality and style of each piece begins. From authentic Harris Tweed to wool blends in contemporary colours, each piece of furniture is treated as an individual, with its own needs, and this is perfectly captured by each piece receiving its own name, catered to its style and history, from Wolfgang to Raja.
‘Raja Daybed’
Pelikan also do a bespoke service, where a customer can choose from a range of unrestored pieces and have it customised to their specific needs and in their own chosen fabric. This process can often lead to the most daring and exciting pieces, which in turn inspire the fabric choices for collections that follow.
‘Wolfgang Armchair’
What is so lovely about Pelikan’s products, and the mid-century motif in general, is the way that the designs visually effect you. From the off-set when you walk into room that houses one of these pieces, you will immediately think ‘what a lovely piece’, but the more time you spend looking the more the piece comes to life. Small details that give the overall look such flair and style slowly come out and with each new glance or different angel you view it from the more the piece speaks to you, there’s a gradual appreciation that grows, which is perfect for a piece of furniture that is meant to last.
‘Flora Three Seater’
Whether you’re a vintage or mid-century nut, or you just like a hint of this style in your home, there’s bound to be a piece that’ll take your fancy. From large three-seater sofas, to laid-back armchairs to conversational footstools, each piece has something to say and something to add to a home. The kind of pieces you’ll find a Pelikan are ideal if you want to add a little retro chic into your interiors, they’ll act as a foundation, which you can build upon, as they’re the perfect balance between exotic vintage style and functional, contemporary finishes. Though each piece is approached in an individual manner, the collection comes together in a succinct manner that shows a focus, organised company that masters their passion.
Pelikan are having an open studio on the 17th & 18th June, visit their website for more information.
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