This week we introduced our gorgeous new Farmhouse Bar Stools, and thus far, it seems you love them almost as much as we do. After pouring so much work, dedication and love into this project, we’re over the moon that our designs are being well received. We figured it was only right to give you the inside scoop of the journey of both the Farmhouse Bar Stool with Back, and the Farmhouse Rattan Bar Stool, from first sketch to final shoot.
A Desire to Design
As we mentioned in the Farmhouse Bar Stool Introduction blog, after launching our first original Silver Mushroom product, the Natural Rattan Hanging Egg Swing Chair, we were inspired to design more.
When setting our sights on the products we wanted to curate, we considered products we would personally love in our homes, pieces that our customers have shown interest in in the past, and most importantly, where we had a gap in our offering. And we set ourselves on seating (to begin…). With quintessential British furniture in mind, our creative director Emmie set to designing our very first Farmhouse Bar Stools with the Silver Mushroom touch.
Finding a Carpenter
We wanted our wooden bar stools to be of the highest quality, so it was fundamental that we found the perfect carpenter and materials. After searching high and low, we hit the goldmine, finding the perfect carpenter that we knew could bring our designs to life just as we wanted them. With an excitable feeling, we opened up a dialogue with our master craftsman. Now, our craftsman of course will be kept somewhat under wraps - we’re not willing to share our wonderful find. But he deserves all the praise - so here he is, showcasing our gorgeous Farmhouse Rattan Bar Stool.
Bringing our Farmhouse Bar Stools to Life
Now that we had our carpenter, it was time to bring our farmhouse wooden bar stools to life from their designs. This is where the months of back and forth began. We sent our initial sketches over to our master craftsman with detailed notes, USP’s and every intricate detail we wanted on our farmhouse bar stools.
We sampled different manufacturing techniques, wood types, finishes and details. No matter how long it took, we wanted to make sure that our Farmhouse Bar Stools matched everything we imagined. After months of research and sampling, we landed on sustainably sourced solid teak wood. Intending to be both timeless in style and durability, it was important that our farmhouse bar stools were created in a wood that would stand the test of time. Teak wood is one of the most durable woods, lasting for decades and in its natural beauty, ages like fine wine. It also has natural water, light, and heat resistance, making it a perfect choice for the unpredictable tendencies of British weather.
An Exciting Delivery: The First Wooden Bar Stool Samples
The samples of our first wooden bar stools arrived, and with excited nerves we opened them up. We instantly fell in love, and immediately commissioned our bulk order with our master craftsman. There was just one extra touch to our Farmhouse Bar Stools that we wanted to add…
In the spirit of adding the Silver Mushroom touch, we wanted to add a little badge that didn’t take away from the design, but made a mark. And so, we added some antique bronze logo badges. And finally, our Farmhouse Bar Stools were perfect, and ready to be delivered to the UK. The very moment we were notified they were ready, we excitedly tracked our gorgeous wooden bar stools, and one or two other *top secret* samples.
Launching and Photographing
With the Farmhouse Bar Stools being the star of the show, we didn’t want to overcomplicate the photo shoot, and simply wanted to show the wooden bar stools in all their beauty. Our goal was to highlight the traditional charm, stunning natural grains of the teak wood and incredible detail of the woven paper rush string seat.
How did we do?
