We are very excited to tell you that on Friday 26th September at the glamorous Hilton Hotel on Brighton Seafront, Velvet were announced Best Independent Retailer for the second year running! There were over 200 entries from around 150 Brighton companies making this a huge win for Velvet, as Brighton is now one of the busiest shopping areas in the UK. Stand up comedian Stephen Grant announced the winners of the 5th annual Brighton and Hove Business Awards at the Hilton Brighton Metropole no Friday 26 September. The gala business event was attended by over 400 business representatives from across the city. Once again, all the staff at Velvet looked amazing in their dresses bought especially for the event!“We are so excited about winning ‘Best Independent Retailer’ again for our 4 stores. The Velvet team work very hard to excel in Retail and this award confirms we are doing something right! We are very proud of our staff who put a lot of effort into Velvet and the award has been great for morale.” Says Emma one of our Co-Directors. We were also finalists for Business Growth Award for our four stores and successful e-commerce website! We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award for the second time! Well done to the 30 very hardworking members of the Velvet team, they really deserve this. And a huge thank you to our loyal customers who have supported us over the years!
You can view some photos in our Latest News Section, on our Velvet facebook page… and here’s some hilarious outtakes for you to enjoy!!
Velvet are delighted to tell you that for the second year running we have won the very prestigious ‘Best Independent Retailer’ at the 2008 Brighton and Hove Business Awards.
“We are delighted to have won this award for the second year running!! Since the awards last year we have launched our online store www.velvetstore.co.uk and of course opened our flagship store on Church Road, Hove. Both have been a tremendous success and our great team deserve to be recognised for all the work they have put into Velvet!” says Co-Director Emma Harrop. Designed to raise awareness and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of our growing 21st century City, the BAHBAs acknowledge and celebrate those companies, organisations and individuals who really build the Brighton brand. Velvet’s extensive range of furniture, home interiors, lighting, gifts, clothes and accessories are always beautifully displayed in their bright and welcoming shops, with window displays that stop people in their tracks. This, along with their excellent reputation for customer care assured Velvet their well deserved Award. Velvet were selected over hundreds of local entrants and the competition this year was really tough!
“A Huge Thank You to all our wonderful customers for your support over the past 8 years! We couldn’t have done it without you!”
Although it’s been a while since we had our van and beetle wrapped we thought it was something worth shouting about!
They were a labour of love but we think you’ll agree that they were worth the effort! Just look at them - they’re hard to miss!
5/9/08:
For the second year running we have reached the Brighton and Hove Business awards!
And this year we are up for not one, but two awards!
Once again, we are in the final three for the Best Independent Retailer category.
And this year sees the introduction of a new award for Business Growth - in which we have also made the final four!
The competition is tough so wish us luck!!
We will find out in three weeks!
We’re turning one of our reception rooms into a dining room and I’m looking for beautiful sets of furniture for the room. We’d like it to be in keeping with the rest of our Victorian house?
Lucy Potts, Central Brighton
Emma says: ‘Many of the dining sets we have available from our Brighton and Hove stores would suit your criteria but I’d like to draw your attention to our beautiful Fayence range (pictured). It is classic in design and would sit equally well in a modern white room or a decadent wallpapered space. What sets this range above the rest is its wonderful grey blue finish with very slight distressing and edge highlights. Dining sets for four or six as well as console tables and sideboards with wine racks make this the perfect range with which to furnish your room. Prices start from £99.’
Lettering seems to be all the rage at the moment. I’m looking for some unusual ways to introduce some into my home. What do you suggest?
Sheila Whitehead, Hove
Nick says: ‘Items with lettering are definitely some of our best sellers at the moment and it’s easy to see why! Lettering in the home allows the rooms do the talking – whether that’s reminding someone you love them or more practical instructions like ‘wash’ or to hang keys! We sell several products with lettering on them: doormats welcoming you home (£18), hooks saying Love, Laugh, Wash, and Home for example (from £4), signs saying Maison, Love, Le Bain, think and inspire to name a few (from £14) and cushions to remind someone you love them (£42)… Browse online or in store.’
Tip of the week… visit our website to view our column online!
I want a statement chair for my living room. My flat is ultra modern and I’m desperate for something that I won’t see anyone else with! What do you suggest?
Paul Davies, Hove
Nick says: ‘Well Paul, it all depends on your budget! But I have a few suggestions that we can get hold of for you. If you are after a design classic I would suggest our excellent reproductions of the Eames chair (£799), Corbusier Recliner (£649) or Arne Jacobsen’s Ball Chair (£799). We also have hi-backed Potenza Chairs starting at £399. For something really original though I would suggest one of my favourite pieces in the Church Road, Hove store – our Mars Armchair in antique leather with chrome frame (pictured). Starting at £850 they are not cheap but you are sure to be one of the very few who owns such a magnificent chair!!
I’m redecorating my bedroom and want to go for a look sympathetic to my homes Georgian history. What style of furniture should I go for?
Anna James, Brighton
Emma says: ‘Brighton emerged as a Georgian seaside resort during the key period of British resort development, between about 1730 and 1780. You are very lucky to own a piece of Brighton history! Like the architecture of the time, furniture had a very elegant, classic structure. We sell a beautiful reproduction range in bright, airy white. The range is hand finished with traditional construction and use of solid timber – resulting in an exceptional range of fine quality bedroom furniture. Prices start from £75 and the range is available to order from both our Bond Street and Church Road branches.’
Tip of the week… Use an accent colour with impact to brighten up your room
I’m looking for some interesting towel holders for my kitchen and bathroom but am struggling to find something unique. Can you help?
Ruth Davis, Brighton
Emma says: ‘Towel rails can often be plain and boring so we have some great ideas for you Ruth! Why not buy brightly coloured door knobs (from £3) which you can screw into the wall or doors to hang your towels off. You could even buy lengths of pretty ribbon (from 45p per metre) to sew onto your towels to hang them all neatly while still showing off the door knobs. Better still; take a look through our range of hooks in store or online. Venetian, lettering, hands and horns - with prices starting from £3 you’ll be hard pressed to find such a good combination of style and value elsewhere!’
I’ve been looking for an ornate mirror at antique fairs and flea markets for ages but nothing really meets my £300 budget. I am happy to buy new but I desperately want it to look antiqued! What do you suggest?
Jen Hereford, Hove
Nick says: ‘Well fortunately Jen there are some great options out there for you. Antique reproductions are better than ever and once the mirror takes pride of place on your wall, we doubt anyone but a genuine expert would know the difference. Depending on what size you are looking for we have prices ranging from £40 - well under your budget! Venetian mirrors have a wonderful Renaissance feel about them, where as our ornate chunky framed mirrors in antiqued cream and black, silver and gold would sit well in both modern and traditional homes.
Tip of the week… indoor plants add life to any home, they not only clean the environment but add instant decor
I really want to go for a formal and traditional but chic look in my dining room. How can I achieve this?
Karen Sage, Brighton
Emma says: ‘Well Karen, we sell lots of traditional style furniture. My first and best piece of advice to get a formal look in your dining room would be to buy a matching chair and table set – this will look really classy. You can then dress your room to give it a real feel of elegance – candlesticks, vases of flowers. Our Gustavian range is reproduced from genuine 18th century Scandinavian antiques. The Nordic cream gives it a perfect finish. We can order in everything from chairs and tables, to mirrors, clocks and cupboards for you. Prices start at £185.’
I am looking into buying new living room furniture. Practical is a must have with three children but I want something stylish I can relax in with friends as well?
Clare Broughton, Brighton
Nick says: ‘Before you choose the style, it’s important to work out who will use your sofa, where it will be positioned, and what you plan to use it for – just like you’ve done. We have a great selection of sofas and chairs available both in our stores, online and from our supplier catalogues. The Vogue range is finished in luxurious two-tone velvet in a delightful stone colour. Stain resistant, this is a modern classic designed to withstand the rigours of everyday use making it perfect for parents who need to buy practical but don’t want to compromise on style! Prices start from £495.’
Tip of the week… last chance to grab a bargain in our summer sale!
I’ve just moved into a bigger property and need to buy some more furniture to fill it up, especially in the bedroom?
Lucy Adamson, Brighton
Emma says: ‘I presume you already have your essentials like a bed and a wardrobe, so to fill up the space I would invest in items such as bedside tables and extra seating. One of our best selling ranges is dressing table sets, as not only are they practical but they also look stunning. With a stool and a mirror, they provide extra surface space; extra seating and the mirror will reflect light into the room. There are so many styles to choose from, depending on what look you are after. Our Venetian Patterned Dressing Table (£225) would look stunning with its matching mirror and stool (pictured) or even set amongst more contemporary pieces.
I’m redecorating my 6 year old son’s room and want it to look stylish but also be practical and fun for him. Any hints?
Rob Clark, Kemp Town
Nick says: ‘I have a son of a similar age and we made it a team effort putting his room together. Why not take your son shopping with you and give him a range of things to choose from, for example the curtain fabric or the wall colour. A popular choice of styles is nautical or stars and stripes, this way you can keep the room looking stylish and it is easy to update as he gets older. We sell some great felt cushions (£42) which are practical and fun for both of you. Our Wooden Stags head (£20) is bang on trend but at a fraction of the price of its designer relatives. And it’s fun for children and adults alike to put together.
Tip of the week… try before you buy - Come and test out our sofas and chairs!
I want to add some metallic’s to my home but want to avoid shiny modern pieces and don’t want to go over the top?
Charlotte Pretty, Brighton
Emma says: ‘The easiest way for you to introduce any theme into your home without it looking over the top is to keep the biggest proportions of a room (walls and floor) neutral and let your accessories and furniture to do the talking. Metallic’s bring a luxurious feel to any room. We have a range of different styles in store including Moroccan inspired silver furniture and our French style Versailles range. Why not add our gold leaf bedside table (£249) next to your sofa or as a telephone table in the hallway. There is a great range of items to match. Or for a more subtle use of metallic’s, we sell a beautiful range of photo frames (from £12), lettering (£15) and wallpaper (£30).
I’m looking for some colourful light fittings for my children’s bedrooms but want to avoid any with cartoon characters and such like?
Julie Heskett, Hove
Nick says: ‘With all the rain we’ve been having lately – we all need a little colour in the house! We stock a great range of shades, pendant lights and chandeliers bursting with colour. One of my favourite styles is our Capiz Shell Pendants for £60 – in these three bright tropical colours they add a more modern feel to the traditional white and pastel shades these style of lights usually come in. They will instantly brighten up your children’s bedrooms without looking tacky or childish.’
Tip of the week… use decorative curtain tiebacks to add some glamour to your windows
I’m redecorating my guest bedroom and want to give it a sophisticated hotel feel. What advice would you give for achieving this?
Ella Harrison, Brighton
Emma says: ‘Going for this look gives you lots of options depending whether you want to go for a more boutique or elegant and sleek feel. For either look though, the walls and flooring should be warm neutral colours such as honey and coffee shades. Either paint or wallpaper (£30 a roll) the room in these colours. Arrange your furniture symmetrically and accessorise to match – this may sound rather clinical but if you choose glamorous pieces of furniture this will ensure the room stays cosy and comfortable. Most importantly, make the bed look luxurious with quilts (from £95) and matching cushions (from £12.50).’
I’ve just got my first place and want to go for a modern yet retro look, but I don’t have the budget to match my taste! I need some advice on what to spend and where…
Mr. Mosely, Brighton
Nick says: ‘The easiest way to achieve this look on a budget is to be adventurous with colour schemes (e.g. white and orange, black and lime), which can be cheaply done with a coat of paint and accessories. You should then spend the bulk of your budget on a few key pieces of furniture and lighting. Chrome pendant lights and arc lamps (£149) will complement your look and a design classic by Eames, Jacobsen or Corbusier will add a finishing touch to any room. Originals of these will set you back several thousand pounds so why not buy a replica inspired by these greats for a fraction of the price (Eames Lounger and Footstool £799).’
Tip of the week… Mirrored furniture gives a glamorous feel to any room
