As someone who just purchased a fixer-upper home, finding quality furniture that didn‘t destroy my budget was imperative. I‘ve never been a fan of cheap, disposable furniture that falls apart after a few years. Yet I didn‘t have endless money to spend on designer boutiques either.
I kept hearing rave reviews from friends about a UK heritage brand called Barker and Stonehouse. They described the furniture as "understatedly chic" and "made to stand the test of time." As I dug further into reviews online, I found customers consistently praising the brand for durable construction paired with elegant silhouettes.
Since I needed to furnish several rooms in my new home, I decided to give Barker and Stonehouse a try for some key pieces. Below I‘ll walk you through my evaluation process of this brand along with reviewing some of their bestselling items firsthand.
Overview of Barker and Stonehouse
First, here‘s some background on the brand itself. Barker and Stonehouse opened their doors in 1946, aiming to bring exuberance back into British homes following WWII frugality. Founders Charles Barker and Alex Stonehouse offered livable luxury, focusing on high quality materials from local suppliers.
75+ years later, the brand now operates over 30 showrooms across the UK along with robust online sales. They‘ve maintained their commitment to exceptional craftsmanship as evidenced by industry accolades. For example, Barker and Stonehouse was recently named the 5th fastest growing private mid-market company by Real Business. Impressively they achieved over £100 million in revenue in 2021 alone.
Beyond attractive furniture, I personally appreciated their eco-conscious efforts. Barker and Stonehouse works diligently to reduce emissions across their supply chain. They also ethically source 100% of their timber to prevent deforestation. These types of initiatives matter greatly in my purchase decisions.
Now onto reviewing some of their top selling furniture firsthand!
Living Room – Boone Sofa Review
My living room needed a new sofa as my last one sagged terribly in just 3 years time. I wanted something durable yet comfortable for movie nights and hosting friends. The Boone 2 Seater Sofa caught my eye while browsing.
Covered in lush navy velvet with slim oak legs, the Boone has dramatic flair while remaining livable. I can confirm its comfortably seats two people (even with my husband who‘s 6‘2) without feeling cramped. The seat cushions offer cushiony support as they are filled with foam and feathers. But the eucalyptus and beech wood frame minimizes sagging issues.
Assembly was quick – the back cushions, legs, and chaise extension simply screw in place with provided hardware. After 18 months of consistent use, the velvet still lookssmooth with no signs of pills or wear. My sensitive skin hasn‘t reacted negatively either despite sitting directly on the fabric.
For only £799, the sofa provides incredible durability and comfort that outrivals brands charging nearly double. If you seek statement furniture capable of enduring years of movie nights and house guests, the Boone Sofa fits the bill marvelously.
Dining Room – Halmstad Dining Table + Pangu Chairs Review
No room exemplifies Barker and Stonehouse‘s Scandinavian minimalist leanings quite like their dining collections. I was drawn to the concrete Halmstad Dining Table but debated size options extensively. At nearly 8 ft long, the 79" table anchors generously sized rooms. But the smaller 63" table seats 6 comfortably without overwhelming.
I opted for the latter which was still weighty at 154 lbs! But smoothly sanded concrete tabletop showcases organic gray variations beautifully. My favorite detail is the angled solid oak legs that prevents a stark, flat look.
To contrast the solid table, I selected the wispy Pangu Dining Chairs for surrounding seats. These molded plastic chairs maintain clean lines through the transparent polycarbonate seat and backrest. Surprisingly the flexibility and give make long dinners pleasant. My opinionated great aunt even deemed them “delightfully comfortable” which says a lot!
Between the six chairs and expansive dining table, I invested nearly £1600. Yet given Barker and Stonehouse‘s reputation for enduring quality, I expect at least 15 – 20 years of daily use before any issues arise. For context, my last set from a certain Swedish flat-pack giant barely made it to the 3 year mark before splintering and structural damage occurred.
If contemporary style paired with uncompromising quality is important for your space, I can‘t recommend Barker and Stonehouse enough. While not the cheapest furniture, enduring over a decade of holiday gatherings and Sunday roasts makes the investment worthwhile.
Home Office – New London Desk + Chair Set Review
Having a designated workspace is non-negotiable for my busy work-from-home schedule. My home office serves as command central for my side hustle so I needed pieces tailored towards productivity and organization.
Enter Barker and Stonehouse‘s New London Desk – an expansive workspace (59” x 29.5”) anchored by solid pine legs and crisscross stretcher base. The white lacquer finish maintains clean lines that seamlessly blend into my light, airy home office.
Tired of cheap office chairs that wobble precariously, I also invested in Barker and Stonehouse‘s matching New London Office Chair. The molded seat and mesh back provide ergonomic lumbar support critical for my long working hours. Better yet, the smooth hydraulic lift cylinder allows adjusting height to prevent back strain when I alternate between standing desk.
After two months of intensive use, both the desk and chair perform flawlessly as my mission control. Unlike pressboard versions that scratch or chip easily, the London set‘s durable lacquered wood and steel base simply wipes clean. At £459 for the set, I gained investment pieces sure to withstand my entrepreneurial efforts for years rather than months.
I know big furniture commitments come with lots of questions beyond assessing specific pieces. Here’s answers to some other common inquiries I had during my research process:
Who is Barker and Stonehouse best suited for?
Barker and Stonehouse fills the gap between inexpensive big-box shops and luxury designer studios. Their pricing aligns with upper middle-class households prepared to pay for durable, eco-conscious furniture. Small business owners contracting their first office space would find their desks and shelving reliable investments too.
In terms of style, their flex-modern approach featuring clean lines yet warmth through wood accents has nearly universal appeal. Those who tire of trends, preferring architecture-inspired foundations, will value Barker and Stonehouse‘s dedication to enduring designs.
What do customers say about durability and quality?
Out of 20,000+ reviews on Trustpilot, Barker and Stonehouse averages 4.8/5 stars. One reviewer who purchased a leather couch five years ago praises that it "still looks brand new despite having two large dogs who regularly sleep on it."
Hardwood frames on sofas and beds minimize sagging by using mortise and tenon joinery for robust connections rather than staples alone. Meanwhile mixing materials like concrete, solid wood, and steel on tables prevents structural issues down the road.
I scoured reviews extensively prior to purchase and struggled to find durability complaints. If anything, the main critique is Barker and Stonehouse‘s furniture seems too solid making it incredibly heavy! But customers agree pieces easily last 10 – 15 years barring any accidents. Of course leather and velvet will show some patina but many enjoy furnishings taking on that vintage charm.
How do delivery, assembly and returns work?
One reason I ultimately committed to the brand is their delivery team brings pieces direct into your home and does full assembly included. Unlike dealing with cryptic instructions and fiddly Allen wrenches, their specialists ensure everything fits the space exactly as desired seamlessly. Their experts dismantled my old furniture too – super handy since I didn‘t have to coordinate additional haul-away!
If you ever need to return an item, simply call within 14 days and their team picks up the furniture free of charge. Large item return shipping can become costly so I appreciated Barker and Stonehouse simplifying logistics.
Rest assured – between thoughtful delivery and easy returns, furnishing my entire place was surprisingly smooth sans headaches.
I started my journey struggling over how to furnish my home stylishly under budget. After extensive analysis between cheap disposables and overly pricey boutiques, I landed on heritage brand Barker and Stonehouse. By focusing my spending on key rooms over temporary fixes, my home now exemplifies my style and values.
Although their furniture comes at a premium cost, exceptional construction guarantees enduring quality for the next 15-20 years minimum. In fact, I just purchased gorgeous bedroom nightstands during their 15% off summer sale to replace my university-era wobbly versions.
If you seek stylish furniture aligned with sustainable values sure to live on as family heirlooms, Barker and Stonehouse is for you. By patiently investing in one room at a time, soon your home will reflect consistent quality that only the best British craftsmanship can deliver.
So if you‘re ready to pass fast furniture trends by, let me know. I‘m happy to share insider tips for navigating Barker and Stonehouse‘s extensive collections expertly. Here‘s to smartly investing in furnishings that stand the test time rather than fall victim to changing tastes!
