Following the opening of their new Auckland studio we chat to Huxley, sales executive at Woodwrights Furniture. We discuss where his passion for the brand and product comes from, how Woodwrights furniture is so beautifully crafted and designed and much more! Cooper Interiors loves the Scandinavian influence in the design and their focus on providing New Zealand made products of excellent quality.
What was the inspiration behind starting 'Woodrights Furniture'?
Woodwrights furniture was established in 1997 with a genuine passion for crafting unique furniture that delights generations. Adrian’s eye for detail and passion for craft, steadily grew Woodwrights out of the back shed. We now have a team of 21 who are all highly skilled and are intensely passionate about what they do. The driving force never ceases to be the satisfaction we get from crafting beautiful furniture and delighting generations with heirloom pieces.
What do your customers love most about your products? There a number of points to consider here. Firstly, customers love the quality of the furniture - how sturdy it is, the beautiful finish, quality drawer runners, flock lined top drawers, quality of the timber and the detail of the craftsmanship. It is not only the features of the product, it is the experience of working directly with the manufacturer which means you are working with intelligent people who are passionate about what they do. This allows us to customise existing units or totally new pieces for each customers varying requirements. This service has exponentially grown over the last 3 years, which we have responded to. We have the ability to produce detailed line drawings, 3D Visuals and samples to send to clients prior to production. In a nutshell it is the quality products, unique customer experience and the delight from owning and using the furniture each day.
Can you tell us about some of your favourite products?
Some of our favourite products currently include the Aura Lowboy and Bedside Cabinet. These pieces have a beautiful subtleness, clean lines and display the beauty of the solid timber. The uncomplicated design gives them a contemporary yet somewhat timeless appeal. The pieces were derived from the current Scandinavian trend, with a focus on making them unique and a design that will last as long as the furniture will.
How would you describe New Zealand's design culture?
From my experience, New Zealand’s design culture is very innovative, marked by a way of lateral thinking which produces a lot of exciting products and ideas. A lot of thought goes into the design of a particular item, with a focus on the basics and a certain element of simplicity and beauty.
What I love most is the uniqueness of New Zealander’s and what we do. Our approach to try new ways of doing things, customising products, researching various ways to meet a need a fulfil an idea is amazing. The design culture is fast paced and ever evolving, the method in designing a new product has also changed. Our product development process has changed dramatically since we have chosen to sell direct to the end user since 2011. We now focus on the end user, their requirements, current issues and what they need for their space. With new technology, product development is as efficient as ever and it has opened up numerous doors.
And finally, what's your favourite part of your job?
I have been around the business since I was a toddler and furniture is in my blood. The passion Adrian had for fine furniture has been instilled into me, combined with a fresh approach. I am driven to come to work every day to delight customers with quality furniture and also delight our staff, making it an enjoyable place to work and grow as a person. I have a thirst for helping clients meet their unique needs and doing everything I can to assist them, which contributes to a very enjoyable experience and satisfaction. I primarily spend my time dealing with clients and facing the company. Being able to meet clients at our new Auckland Furniture Studio is also a huge advantage. I love watching our craftsmen in action, working with passion to bring a clients vision to life with great care and skill.
Imagery courtesy of Woodwrights Furniture. You can like Woodwrights Furniture on Facebook here and follow them on Instagram here.