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THE DIGEST
Second Hand September Spotlight: House of Hackney
House of Hackney brings their regenerative design philosophy to a 19th-century James Shoolbred armchair, upholstered in XYLEM from their OVERSTORY collection. Inspired by endangered temperate rainforests, this one-of-one piece celebrates craftsmanship, longevity and beauty that doesn't need to be new.
A 19th-century James Shoolbred armchair. Museum-quality craftsmanship. Organic curves and exceptional detail that belongs in a room you build a life around.
House of Hackney chose this piece because it represents everything the brand stands for: craftsmanship, longevity and the belief that beautiful objects deserve to be cherished for generations. Rather than replace it, they reimagined it, selecting a fabric from their newest OVERSTORY collection.
The fabric tells its own story. Inspired by Britain's endangered temperate rainforests, XYLEM traces the intricate vascular networks within trees, the systems that transport life and nutrients through the forest. It's design that doesn't simply borrow from nature, but works in service of it.
"Vintage furniture carries a story that cannot be replicated," explain Frieda Gormley and Javvy M Royle, founders of House of Hackney. "Each mark, material and detail reflects the hands that created it and the lives it has been part of. We hope when someone unwraps this piece, they feel a sense of wonder, welcomed by something that has a soul, a story, and a connection to the natural world."
For House of Hackney, choosing this 19th-century armchair was an act of belief: that beauty doesn't need to be new, and that by restoring and reimagining existing pieces, we honour craftsmanship while reducing waste and our impact on the planet.
"Buying better, not more means choosing pieces with intention. It's about investing in quality, craftsmanship and stories rather than following a cycle of constant consumption," they reflect. "It's about building a relationship with what we own, rather than simply accumulating more."
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