As the exclusive Italian lifestyle brand Poliform opens its only mono brand showroom outside the Kings Road in London, the North Yorkshire town of Harrogate is cementing its reputation as a key centre for interior design excellence.
PoliformNorth showroom in Harrogate
PoliformNorth is the brainchild of Stephen Gee, known to many as the man behind the Stephen Neall Group which has become a byword for quality interiors in the region. Poliform’s distinctively Italian contemporary furniture already has a well-developed following in the international design world, and the comprehensive display in the new showroom will make the brand far more accessible in the UK.
The new showroom extends over 3 floors of a newly converted 9000sq ft industrial building that was originally a dairy. Deceptively tucked away behind the splendid Victorian of a central Harrogate street just yards from the station, it forms a cool, calm and inspirational oasis of contemporary interior design at its best.
Visitors can expect to take their time and experience a series of room sets featuring kitchens, wardrobes (including the walk-in variety), sofas, chairs, tables, bookcases, beds and accessories, showing the entire top to bottom experience that the modular brand offers. Poliform’s signature LBD (little black dresses) put the final touch to this luxurious display.
Created to draw private clients, interior designers and architects together at an exciting and interactive hub for design and art, the space is versatile and an experience in itself. On the ground floor ‘The Launch Pad’ area will provide a platform for local sculptors and artists to exhibit, while on the second floor ‘The Ideas Room’ provides a space for users to meet clients and design partners, an exciting environment for sharing ideas and developing new concepts.
PoliformNorth showroom in Harrogate
Run by a family business in the very real sense of the word, it is evident that the Stephen Neall Group team dedicate their lives to interior design. Bridging the gap between the architect and the interior designer, their reputation has enabled them to trade exclusively on word of mouth recommendations and repeat business. Their passion for the business and the new PoliformNorth project is infectious.
Group Manager, Claire Gee (Stephen’s daughter) explains “Creating the PoliformNorth showroom has been a real labour of love for my Dad and for our entire family. Ever since we opened the shop on Station Parade he has always been interested in this building at the rear. When it came up for sale Stephen just knew he had to have it, and has loved the challenge of transforming it into what you see today. It’s been an amazing journey.”
Stephen’s son, son in law and Senior Designer Brian Charlton , brother and brother in law all work within the business too, and have also been hands-on with the renovation as they are with all Stephen Neall Group projects. Senior designer Andy Mclean along with tradesman they employ have all been part of the team for years, and now their children too are joining the business.
PoliformNorth showroom in Harrogate
Harrogate is becoming quite the hotspot for leading interior brands. Jason Cherrington of Harrogate based international stone specialist Lapicida, took a break from his own exciting overseas project to take an interest in the PoliformNorth launch, saying “There has long been a demand for top quality interiors in the north and Harrogate is ideally placed for both customers and professional interior specialists to access the best in the world without having to travel to the capital. The PoliformNorth showroom really helps to strengthen the town’s position as a leader in interior design.”
PoliformNorth opens its doors to the public for the first time on Saturday 4th May, after an exclusive preview evening on Thursday 2nd May.