Creating a heritage interior that meets Crib 5 requirements
We've worked on many impressive new pub projects recently, like The Audley in Mayfair, The George in Fitzrovia and King's House in Chelsea, all these projects want a modern twist on classic pub interiors that are in keeping with the rich heritage of the existing buildings, some of which date back for centuries. But recreating a heritage interior that meets all the requirements of today's hospitality sector is not as easy as buying in some antique furniture and sending a chimney sweep up the old fireplace. Because upholstered indoor furniture needs to meet Crib 5 standards in hospitality venues, these pubs can't simply buy antique furniture as they may like to.
Take for example neighbourhood favourite, The Cadogan Arms in Chelsea. The secret to unlocking The Cadogan's interior charm lies in antiquing new contract furniture to make it look old.
We took brand new raw beech Balloon chair frames and achieved an antique finish by applying two wood stains for tonal difference and then adding a patina to create the ageing. Unlike many upholstered antiques, this finished product now complies with UK hospitality fire regulations.
Using traditional pub furniture details including turned wood and embossed materials to create a traditional-looking interior
For The Cadogan Arms we supplied a number of turned wooden table bases in beech with a walnut stain, as well as Captain's armchairs with their turned details, and a specially developed Camacha bar stool which features two intricate front legs and two back legs with a gentle curve. This product was developed by taking the designer's inspiration image, and sourcing an existing side chair we knew had a similar look. We then tweaked and elongated the frame before antiquing as with the Balloon chairs, for an end product everyone was delighted with.
The fixed stools that adorn the decorative bar are themselves upholstered with an eye-catching material. Kravet Donahue is an excellent embossed faux leather range with a textured botanical pattern. Suitable for contract use when upholstered over an interliner, Donahue 606 used here features on our Bolt Cast Iron bar stool.
Other upholstery details include the pink poufs, which are fully upholstered in Sacho Balboa Colour 009, with piping 80mm from the top fringe in Samuel & Sons 3” Richmond fine bullion fringe 9.
All this said, we still love antiques and continue to source genuine shop cabinets and bar counters for use in modern venues. It's the upholstered furniture in particular that needs to pass Crib 5 standards, unless your building regs require Class 0 lacquer - and that's another deal entirely!
You can learn more about our work on The Cadogan Arms here.
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