Los Angeles-based furniture company West Haddon Hall is set to debut the brand-new Collection II of well-considered and thoughtfully designed furniture this spring. With the intention of creating future heirlooms in her direct field of vision, founder and interior designer Kate Driver notes, “Good design just ages better.”
The new Brooks armchair (left) features a geometric wooden frame with caning and a gentle curve on the rear upholstered top rail. Other pieces in the collection include the Mulberry armchair and the Wyngate Marquetry cocktail table.
Composed of seven new distinct pieces, this second collection is rooted in classicism, organicism and infused with centuries-old artisanal craft techniques such as straw marquetry, caning and a sensitivity when it comes to upholstery detailing.
Future Heirlooms
West Haddon Hall founder Kate Driver in a soulful, architecturally significant home where the collection was presented and photographed.
While our world is filled with fast furniture and cheap thrills, an edited and usable collection is a refreshing delight to preview, especially when functionality takes center stage and keeps the end user prioritized. I tend to find that decorators make the best furniture designers. They are attuned to their clients’ needs and understand how we all like to live and really use and enjoy the pieces in our homes. Oftentimes, it’s the funny find or quirky piece that we end up treasuring for generations. Kate mentions, “I have an old Welsh dresser that’s been in my family for a long time and [it’s] important to me.” Preserving the memory of something old and treasured informs how Kate approaches the design language of the brand when developing new work.
In Context
The Francis Pierpont Davis home creates an old-world backdrop to the West Haddon Hall collection. While the Elliston daybed and Ivy side table are part of Collection I, the latter is now available in a new color, Champagne.
When it came to shooting the collection, Kate was keen to position each piece in an architecturally significant context and mixed in with vintage pieces and antiques, to create vignettes as she would for any interiors project. She found a 1921 home designed by Francis Pierpoint Davis for his own family use that has been passed down through generations and has most recently been renovated with great attention to the original details and reverence for the space. The family home creates a warm and inviting backdrop for each piece. Seeing how a new ottoman lives next to a vintage Parsons table or how a newly made sofa can exist at the base of a tower of books allows the viewer a chance to dream and envision a personal world created specifically for you, with the things you love.
True Craftsmanship
Like a piece of art, the Sweetbriar Credenza floats on the wall and features natural caning.
When it came to creating a new collection, Kate was intent on seeking out artisans and craftspeople to collaborate with to achieve exciting results. She remarks, “I’m particularly interested in marquetry and caning and doing more of it. We need to ensure that these rare arts do not die.” The design of a new floating credenza features this natural caning and honeyed oak prominently on the face. Should you need a different size or material, the brand embraces customization and working with the trade. A true design trifecta has been found: original work, bespoke offerings and timeless quality endure at West Haddon Hall HQ.
A detail showcases the Wyngate Marquetry cocktail table’s surface texture and decorative objects from Kate’s personal collection.
