The Fair Trade Furniture Company, launched in Fairtrade Fortnight, aims to apply the highly successful food and drink model to the furniture market, to bring ethical consumerism into the heart of your living room.

The company insists that by buying fairtrade, the consumer shouldn’t have to compromise on quality or standards.

There are four distinct designs of chair in the range, which are not only stylish but also decidedly comfortable; they are handmade by the company’s skilled craftsmen in Indonesia, each chair taking between 5 and 7 days for one man to create.

Featured here is the Semarang chair – part of the Tsantai range (can be high on right or left) and priced at £650.

This exclusive design combines a strong stylish frame made in mindi wood and combines beautiful hand-woven seagrass panels with luxurious feather-filled cushions to support and cosset you.

The cushion fabrics are 100% cotton. The matching table £150 and footstool £150, use the same materials, and together with the chair create an attractive set - your very own feel good corner.

To ensure that the producers in Indonesia get the best possible price for their chairs, the FTFC doesn’t sell through retail partners.

However, the company recognises that most people will want to try out a chair before purchasing, so they can be test-driven at FTFC’s Salisbury showroom; or in galleries, theatres and cafes across the country, which are listed on their website:

Web: http://www.fairtradefurniture.co.uk

Tel: (0845) 009 9865

Stephan Pavlou and Donna Clarke founded The Little Book of Furniture in 2000, their aim being to provide hardwearing quality furniture of original design and eco-friendly at an affordable price level.

The Little Book of Furniture’s latest luxurious additions to their varied collections are no exception:

The BonBon Ottoman in our picture is as sweet as the French translation would suggest, simply mouth-watering; it would make a magnificent centrepiece with impact and style; it’s also big enough for all your friends to clamber on at once.

Available in a variety of colours in the softest of leathers, this luscious Ottoman will have you craving for more.

Dimensions: 122cm x 122cm x H45cm (Large) or 92cm x 92cm x H45cm (Small).
Priced at £775 (Large); £625 (Small).

Another new addition to the lounge range, is The Big Easy leather sofa; as the name implies it is generously proportioned and looks soft and inviting to collapse into for snug repose; also available in the softest of leathers, it has foam and feathers built into the whole seat, as opposed to separate cushions, making it extra squashy.

Dimensions: W229cm x D102cm x H74cm (large); or W190cm (small).
Priced at: £1795 (large) £1595 (small).

The Little Book Of Furniture shop is at 107 Commercial Street, Old Spitalfields Market, London E1 6BG.

Or shop online:
Web: http://www.littlebookoffurniture.com

Tel: (0207) 247 4445

Introduce influences of spring into your home and garden using pastels of pink and green against a crisp white background.

One of the quickest and most effective ways to do this is by using textiles to refresh an area around your home.

The new Våren textile collection will bring a light and airy feel to the dullest of rooms and has been inspired by the wood anemone, one of natures early indicators that spring is on its way.

Featured here are just a few of the stimulating spring products on offer:

• Våren cushion 65×65cm in white and green £14.99.
  Varen round cushion in green pink or white £7.99.
  Våren knitted throw 130×170cm in green £13.99 (also available in
  white and pink).
• Varen Rug in green or white £39.00.
• Agen rattan chairs in white £19.99; stackable in order to save space when not in use.
  Complete with Agen chair pad with anemone design in white £9.99 for increased seating comfort.
• Agen round coffee table white £35.00; handwoven with extra utility surface e.g. for magazines; plastic feet; protect the furniture if in contact with a moist surface.
• Agen Triple Hanging basket set white, handwoven £13.99.

Web: http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_GB

Tel: (0845) 355 1141

Inside Out Contracts Ltd one of the leading lights of the UK contract furniture industry has produced their 2008 furniture brochure, which presents many unique new products.

This year is a bit different, as Inside Out have launched their Decadent Dining range; in contrast to clean minimalism, the company is embracing some of the classic ornate designs from history and updating them, with new vibrant textured fabrics and glitzy wood finishes.

The Rococo chair - The more historically minded of you will recognise the 18th Century French inspiration, but not the metallic silver finish!

The ‘Embellish’ fabric from the Inside Out range perfectly complements the chair’s design.

If you are looking for something a bit more subtle, then the Sophia Chair is a perfect composition of elegance and sophistication.

All the chairs are available in a wide choice of stain repellent, fire resistant fabrics from Inside Out’s standard range.

The base of the featured table is solid cast iron and reassuringly heavy, with a top finished in Damask pattern.

Inside Out Contracts have always offered a space planning service to their customers, and a full design service for their bespoke furniture.

However this year, they are launching an Interior Design service to clients who want help from a company used to and respected for, working within timescale to a strict budget.

Web: http://www.insideoutcontracts.com

Tel: (020) 8305 3130

Can’t wait for a luxurious new sofa? Simply select from one of Multiyork’s seven bestsellers and buy online today, then take Express Delivery in just 28 days - rather than the 10-12 weeks that’s normal in the High Street.

The Express sofas and fabrics represented on the website, are the crème de la crème of the Multiyork range; from the graceful styling of the Carlton, to the bold modern lines of Nadia (pictured here) and the vibrant personality of Inca; each range has proved extremely popular with discerning customers.

Deep filled seat and back cushions, ensure the highest levels of comfort across the upholstery ranges offered by Multiyork; cabinetry, accessories and tailored furniture are all produced to the same manufacturing excellence and traditional values, we have come to expect from Multiyork.

Multiyork offer a brilliant fabric sample service - simply select a maximum of five fabric samples for any of the Express delivery sofas and they will post them to you, so that you can achieve the interior décor look you desire.

Ofcourse, the best way to create a Multiyork sofa is Your way - visit your local store and you can choose from more than 20 sofa styles and tailor your ideal look from the fabulous fabrics and the many comfort, size, and detailing options.
 
So much style, so much choice!

Web:  http://www.multiyork.co.uk

Tel:  (0800) 040 7171

Variér Furniture has launched a stunning new kitchen chair, The Variér Eight - its name relates to the chair’s shape and the time we sit down to eat.

Eight is ideal for the breakfast bar and its contemporary design fits perfectly in the kitchen.

Variér Eight is ideal for that quick breakfast or snack, but comfy enough for leisurely lunches and get-togethers.

Variér believe that the body is made for movement, not passive sitting, therefore the Variér Eight is a living design inspired by the human anatomy:

• The bar stool invites you to sit comfortably in perfect harmony with your body.
  The anatomically shaped seat with snug back support holds you in a natural position.
  The unique tilting mechanism moves with you keeping your body utterly relaxed, no matter how or however long you sit.
  Variér Eight can be adjusted in height, swivels round and has a footrest, to ensure maximum relaxation.This innovative and stylish chair is available in leather and fabrics in more than 200 colours.
• The base is steel and the footrest is strong enough for an 18 stone man to stand upright on it without breaking.

Whereas most kitchen chairs have either great design or comfort, Variér Eight offers both supreme comfort and innovative design.
The chair retails from £594.00.

Variér® strongly believes in sustainable and ecological production, so they also demand this from their suppliers of fabrics, leathers, wood, cushions and mechanical elements.

Web: http://www.varierfurniture.com

Tel: (0845) 603 7074

Update and personalise your dining space with a brand new look from Furniture Village with four very different dining styles on offer.

Choose sleek and contemporary, traditional or rustic - all are perfect for entertaining at home whatever the occasion.

The Hawthorn dining room furniture featured, is handcrafted from solid oak and oak veneers.

Luxuriously upholstered in stylish brown leather; it brings contemporary elegance to any dining space and just perfect for a large family gathering, with a table that extends to seat ten.

New York – Will inject style and vibrancy into your dining experience, with its contemporary light reflective chrome and a choice of lively colours, you can effortlessly recreate that seventies retro look - ideal for stylish kitchens or compact apartments.

Rossini - A new collection from Italy, transports designer glamour straight to your dining room; designed by Giorgio Soressi, this sleek range has a glossy dark walnut veneer giving an elegant and high glamour finish.

Avignon – Elegant and yet beautifully practical, is handcrafted from solid Acacia hardwood, with a hint of rustic charm; the quality crafted country style dining table is available in two sizes and comes with four chairs; it’s made to withstand the toughest rigours of family life.

Either visit one of the Furniture Village 35 stores around the country, or order online:

Web: http://www.furniturevillage.co.uk

Tel: 0800 7833 833

The Culinary Concepts Safari and Aviator furniture range will add a touch of 1930’s retro-appeal to any room.

The stunning design and eye catching lines of this furniture will make any piece a welcome and versatile addition to the style of a room and all together as a set – simply fabulous!

Made from antique effect leather, cotton drill fabric, brushed aluminium and glass, the furniture featured in our picture are:

• The Aviator Drinks Chest and Tray (champagne not included) -This stunning aviator style drinks chest is the perfect solution for storing bottles of wine and champagne; it incorporates a removable tray to facilitate serving your guests’ drinks.
  46cm W x 46cm D x 56cm H. Retails at £399.
• Safari Console Table– The eye-catching console table is a striking mix of fabric and metal.
  97cm W x 41cm D x 79cm H. Retails at £399.

There are 8 pieces in the range including:

• Aviator Filing Cabinet at £99.
  Safari 2 Drawer Trunk at £399.
  Safari Coffee Trunk with 2 Drawers at £499.
  An eye-catching rectangular mirror at £425.
  The unique Safari side-table is practical yet stylish at £249.

Web: http://www.culinaryconcepts.co.uk

Tel: (0870) 2411689

Aldenham is a private company that designs manufactures and installs beautiful handmade kitchens and other furniture to the highest standards.

All of the kitchens in their portfolio are real kitchens designed individually to fulfil the customer’s wishes.

Going for Bespoke - You can tell truly bespoke kitchens by the detail; Aldenham always start with a blank sheet of paper and because there are no standard elements, their kitchen designs are full of unique custom-made details, which can only be built by skilled cabinetmakers.

The stunning kitchen shown here occupies a highly unusual space, with irregular heights, slanting rooflines and other architectural elements around which the furniture has been designed and built.

Aldenham has used a variety of techniques to maximise the impact and the use of space including ‘secret’ cupboards in the chimneybreast, tall cupboards scribed in at an angle and curves to add interest.

Every zone works to its fullest potential but without any sense of the kitchen being cluttered. It is a clever and sophisticated design, which could never be achieved with ‘standard’ kitchen elements.

Web: http://www.aldenham.info

Tel: (01189) 706 711

The new Habitat spring/summer 2008 catalogue launched on 11th February 2008 is bursting with a bold new take on furniture and home accessories.

The collection entitled, ‘Our Kaleidoscope’ is possibly the brightest and boldest statement Habitat has made in recent years, taking inspiration from the compelling and contrary combinations of colour, texture and pattern found in nature.

For spring/summer 08, Habitat is doing what it does best – encouraging customers to think differently about the places they inhabit and the ways in which they live - Habitat’s distinctive attitude towards innovation and creativeness in design are as prevalent as always.

As the season develops from early spring to high summer, consumers will be inspired to style their homes in bold bursts of colour, with three key stories:

• Natural – Predominantly white furniture and accessories; this theme is an easy way to brighten living quarters by keeping things simple yet stylish; heralding an altogether purer looking environment.
• Neutral – This theme is home to most of the eco friendly products. It incorporates their organic bath collection made from pure cotton, natural oak products and an earthier colour scheme.
• Jungle – Using a varied colour palette from warm browns, to bright saffron’s, this theme invites people to be more inspirational when it comes to using colours in the home, with a mixture of multicoloured accessories perfect for any room – this is the most daring and unique of the three.

Shoppers can acquire inspiration with the new catalogue, by picking one up in store, or ordering online:

Web: http:// www.habitat.net

Tel: (08444) 99 1111.