Interior Design
In Conversation With David Seyfried
Discussing Furniture and Design
This week we delve into the world of upholstery courtesy of David Herbert, director and founder of David Seyfried Ltd. With over 40 years designing and manufacturing furniture in the UK including a collaboration with Salvesen Graham, David is well placed to offer advice in selecting the perfect piece upholstery for your home.
Tell us about your company and what inspired you to start it?
We have reached a milestone this year since we have been making furniture for 40 years.I started an antiques business and when the Victorian stools flew out of the door, I decided to make them from scratch. The brand grew from there. This in turn evolved into a collection of upholstered furniture including stools, sofas, dining chairs and armchairs that we sell today at the Design Centre Chelsea Harbour.
How did the collaboration with Salvesen Graham come about?
We share a similar aesthetic vision and client base. Our established expertise in furniture production was beneficial and we share a passion for classic English style and craftsmanship.
What makes your pieces unique?
Our furniture stands out for its thoughtful design and skilled craftsmanship. We have a loyal team who carefully create each piece, and we are known for attention to detail and friendly and personal service.What does Future Heritage design mean to you?
Timeless design and high quality are what spring to mind. We are innovative but the designs are of long-lasting aesthetic appeal.
As comfort is so personal, are there any rules of thumb when it comes to testing the best sofa or chair frame? (For example should our feet be touching the ground comfortably ….?)
There are so many factors to consider. You really need to think through who is going to be using the furniture and for what purpose.Is it going to be more of a perching place, e.g. in the hall? or a cosy armchair in which to curl up? These considerations will affect the proportions to a degree.
However, we aim to have a collection for everyone, and we do offer customisation options.
You have been established now for 40 years, are there any trends that you have seen develop over that time? Any that you were glad were short-lived?
We have noticed that trends come around. For example, frills and fringes and florals have had a revival in the past few years. I’m not sure if the 1990s kilims are coming back - we shall see. Maximalism has also had a resurgence, but a classic neutral sofa is still in demand.
Are there any particular shapes that lend themselves more to particular fabrics i.e. small scale pattern or a loose fitting linen?
A small print can look very good on, for example the rounded shape of an editor’s chair. You can play around with this chair and some of our smaller armchairs and dining chairs and have some fun with contrasting fabrics on the front and reverse.A vertical stripe and check suit the angles of for example the Georgian collection. Velvets are great on anything, but you need to be careful which type and always check the rub count when deciding on fabrics.
In your opinion what makes a good cushion filler and how long should they last?
Feathers make the best cushion fillers for chairs – this is primarily for comfort and easy to keep puffed up. Sofa cushions on the other hand, can benefit from some more stability by using a feather wrapped foam core which keeps the shape better and requires less effort to puff. Back cushions are always better filled with duck feathers.Discover the Salvesen Graham with David Seyfried collection
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