Tucked away on an industrial site on the outskirts of Spalding, Lloyd Loom of Spalding manufactures handmade furniture that graces discerning Royal and private homes, hotels and members’ clubs the world over, celebrities (of the real kind, think Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller) were pictured sitting on it, and it is widely acknowledged as a design classic that defines the twentieth century. Design and Interiors editor Harjit Gammon delved behind the scenes to watch the legendary stuff being made, in the company of Leon Bailey, of this family-run firm
The company makes classic and contemporary furniture, using the original weaving and handcraft techniques which were first developed by Marshall Burns Lloyd in 1917. Burns-Lloyd invented the new material - Lloyd loo
m fabric - to replace woven or wicker furniture. Woven together, twisted kraft paper and paper-covered wire produces a far stronger material that can be upholstered onto beech wood frames. First production in the UK began in 1922 and by 1933 over 400 products were available. In 1940 however disaster struck and the UK factory was destroyed by a WW2 bomb. Fortunately no-one was killed because it was a Saturday, and the works’ cat was renamed ‘Lucky’ after he escaped the inferno! Although production resumed in 1945, by 1960 only six different products were available. Thirty years after languishing in the doldrums Lloyd Loom of Spalding resurrected the traditional way of manufacture and sales took off. Since this time, their close attention to detail, quality and comfort, of the wide range of furniture they make has won them a well deserved reputation as the world’s finest Lloyd Loom furniture maker. Thanks to this commitment and effort, their furniture continues to offer the best in durability, style and elegance.
A team of 50 staff, including craftsmen, and professionally qualified designers and developers are now employed at the original and only UK manufacturer of Lloyd Loom furniture in this country, constructing 25,000 pieces of furniture every year. With customers worldwide, the family-run company provides a highly personal service, and a range featuring over 200 pieces of classic, modern, and contemporary design furniture, available in a multitude of colours (including the full Farrow & Ball range), stains, and a complementary range of fabrics and leathers. Indeed, every aspect of a piece can be personalised to a customer’s specification from its height, colour, through to the use of a customer’s own material. Every piece contains 800 metres of twisted Kraft paper, two kilograms of the finest steel wire and uses a grade A solid beech frame. The paper is recycled, the timber is from sustainably managed forests and the paints and stains are environmentally friendly water based products. Every piece is glued, screwed and jointed at their Lincolnshire factory and is subject to a 25 point quality control criteria checklist prior to dispatch.
All weather Lloyd Loom collection
Now the company known for manufacturing items for every living space from the bedroom, dining room, lounge, through to the conservatory has launched a range for the garden. The ‘All Weather’ outdoor range is fully weather proof and enables it to be used all year round. Every chair has a high quality aluminium or galvanised steel frame and the Lloyd Loom look is achieved by weaving together synthetic strands of Rehau cord to emulate the twisted paper of the traditional material. Each vertical strand in the warp also contains a stainless steel wire, just like normal Lloyd Loom material. The furniture is fully UV resistant, weather proof and can be used inside or outdoors. Above all it is beautiful.
Chez Soi are local stockists, displaying a range of products available to order.
Local garden & conservatory furniture and accessories stockists
Lloyd Loom of Spalding Wardentree Lane, Pinchbeck, Spalding. 01775 712111
www.lloydloom.com Sublime indoor and outdoor furniture.
Chez Soi, 16 St Mary’s Street & High Street Stamford. 01780 755877. Lloyd Loom and one-off vintage furniture for the conservatory and garden. Decorative garden accessories at the High Street shop.
Miss Pickering St Paul’s Street, Stamford. 01780 482961. Sumptuous bouquets of seasonal flowers and herbs, potted plants plus a selection of pretty vintage jugs, cake stands, linens and scented candles.
J&L Ball, North St, Stamford, 01780 481486. Awnings, shutters, parasols and conservatory blinds.
John Lewis Queensgate Centre, Peterborough. 01733 344644. Comprehensive range of outdoor furniture, barbecues, picnicware, outdoor lighting, garden tools, outdoor games and play equipment.
Harrison & Dunn Tools, 3 All Saints’ Place, Stamford, PE9 2PA. 01780 762988 hardware and sundries for the garden and conservatory
Lambs St Peter’s Street, Stamford. 01780 763250. Good selection of barbecues, including Weber
Sinclair’s St Mary’s Street, Stamford. 01780 765421. China and coloured glassware for al fresco use
T & C Robinson St Mary’s Street, Stamford. 01780 755378. For picnic blankets and throws.
Stamford Garden Centre, Casterton Hill. 01780 765656. Plant nursery and garden centre with an extensive range of plants and pots for the garden and conservatory.
Meander Finery and Furnishings St Mary’s Hill, Stamford. 01780 766855.
www.meanderonline.com French style furniture, lighting and mirrors, decorative pieces for the conservatory.
At last the garden beckons, spring bulbs are in bloom, the evenings are getting lighter and there is a faint hint of warmth in the air (alright, only occasionally at the moment!) Time to turn your thoughts to the room outdoors. To maximise your pleasure in the forthcoming months now is the time to think about ‘furnishing’ it. New garden furniture, cushions, throws, china, lanterns, braziers and of course plants. Harjit Gammon presents the pick of the crop