INTERVIEW
SME Best Curated Furniture Boutique 2020
The Hub is a curated furniture boutique working with clients across the region. Following the firm’s well-deserved success in the Greater London Enterprise Awards 2020, we got in touch with Rebecca Loughran to find out more.
At The Hub, the team often discover items of furniture for clients. Alongside this, they also have a “watch list”, which is a free service for clients who are looking for specific piece of furniture. Going into further detail, Rebecca begins by providing us with a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into some of its services.
In the shop, and our workshop, we have the sample books for high end upholstery fabrics. The choice can be overwhelming, but with years of experience in using the fabrics we can offer advice on the best fabrics for your application. Often, we find furniture yet to be finished, so you can choose your own. While managing projects, we advise clients on all decorative items, colours, and textures to make sure your perfect pieces fit perfectly in their surroundings.”
The Hub has always maintained a focus on sustainability, and as Rebecca goes on to explain, taking this approach has enabled the firm to distance themselves from some of its closest competitors. “Having searched the world for special items which are sympathetically restored, we will polish, but not over polish. Naturally, we aim to retain the glory in the design, and we select useable beautiful fabrics to suit modern day life whilst maintaining our focus on sustainable living.”
In addition, the firm’s rental service for vintage and antique items has allowed clients to sell and rent out their homes as Rebecca points out. “Rental services are offered to developers, homeowners and tenants, you deserve to maximise your property potential and enjoy the place you call home. If you are selling or renting out your home and want to maximise your move, make the most of the space with professional help and supply. If you are in transit, go for short term enjoyment and hassle-free furnishings and moving, choose ‘Hub Rental’.”
With the quality of the final product being the most important element, all employees should take their time when tasked with a project as Rebecca explains further. “This business is all about patience, nothing can be rushed. If you are heavy handed in forcing creative choices, they will not be correct and ultimately the customer may not be totally happy with their purchase. If our clients love what they buy, they usually tell their friends all about it. However, this soft and considerate approach does not translate into delivery, once the choices have been made, delivery is key. This does not mean mass produced or putting tradespeople under unnecessary stress, but it does mean paying people their worth.”
Despite the outbreak of COVID-19 this year, with more people spending time at home the business has seen a rise in the demand for its services as Rebecca informs us.
“Whilst the pandemic is a terrible blight on all our lives, we have seen a definite trend in people buying more consciously. This could be due to the fact they now have more time to consider their requirements, less time on the "buy click buy", and more time to think about their ideal piece and its origin. A piece that has been around for 100 years, deserves consideration and being unique requires thought.”
Finally, Rebecca discusses the benefits of the firm’s location before outlining some of its plans moving forward to 2021.