Designer Insights:
Q&A with James Rowe of Perce & Williams
This month, we sit down with James Rowe, founder of Perce & Williams, a family-run business dedicated to crafting exquisite furniture designed to be treasured for generations. We have had the pleasure of collaborating with James on an exquisite selection of bespoke pieces now on display in our Design Centre showroom.
James, it’s a pleasure to speak with you. Could you start by telling us a little about your background and what inspired you to launch your own company? Did you undergo any formal training or gain experience working with other firms before setting out on your own?
JR: I started an apprenticeship at age 17 with a local sofa maker and then went travelling, ending up in Australia where I spent several years gaining further upholstery training. I then returned back to the UK where I improved on my skills working for a high-end upholstery firm learning everything I could from an extremely talented team. I aways knew I wanted to run my own company one day and my last employment showed me what was possible and what level of projects I wanted to be a part of.
Is there a particular aesthetic or design philosophy that defines Perce &Williams? Are there any techniques or materials you particularly enjoy working with?
JR: We don’t have a set aesthetic as we have an appreciation for all designs/styles. Making bespoke pieces is what really excites us and gives our team the artistic license to create truly beautiful furniture. We work to both modern and traditional upholstery techniques, tying in a coil sprung seat base that you know will last a lifetime is always an enjoyable process.
Can you walk us through your typical process when working with a client? Does this approach differ when working with an interior designer versus a private client?
JR: Our process starts with a meeting in our showroom or in our client’s home, discussing design ideas, fabrics and really grasping exactly what our client is looking for. We then have a second meeting (or as many as may be required) to approve final fabric choices, drawings, designs and measurements before securing a deposit and a space within our busy schedule. Working with designers is usually a swifter process as they know exactly what design and fabric they would like to use along with supplying us with renders/drawings which we then bring to life.
Clients can choose between foam and natural fillings, could you explain the differences between these options, and why someone might prefer a natural alternative?
JR: This choice comes down to two things essentially, sustainability vs budget. I am sure everyone would love to purchase fully traditional and ethically made furniture, but this isn’t always possible due to project budget, which when working on such large-scale projects is easy to get carried away with. We like to offer all options to suit and are finding our clients are choosing to use materials such as felt, latex foam, rubberised hair and zig zag springs as an alternative to foam. This is great as these materials are far more durable, better for the environment and you don’t need to use foams/filling which have fire retardant chemicals in.
Perce & Williams offers a fully bespoke service for clients seeking truly unique pieces. Could you share some standout projects or commissions you’ve particularly enjoyed working on?
JR: We have been fortunate enough to create some amazing pieces of furniture over the years, working with some wonderful clients and designers on international projects. One stand out project is a bespoke twin trundle bed made for an amazing project in California which was upholstered in a bold Octavia Dickson fabric, Cassius Heritage.
When selecting an upholstery fabric, what key qualities do you look for? How do you guide your clients in choosing the right material for their needs and lifestyle?
JR: The first big question is usually “do you have young children or pets?”. This then helps us to guide them to a stain resistant fabric or fabrics with a pattern or that are darker in shade, so they are more forgiving to marks/stains. We prefer to use fabrics that have no FR chemicals as A) this isn’t good for skin or the environment, and B) it is usually much softer without, as the chemicals tend to make fabrics feel stiff and card like in some cases.
We recently had the pleasure of collaborating with you on three bespoke pieces. Could you tell us a little more about this project and your creative process?
JR: We worked with the design team at Chase Erwin to design and hand craft a unique pair of armchairs and an oval ottoman for display within the Chase Erwin showroom during FOCUS/25. These pieces were created using eco conscious materials such as rubberised hair, wool felt, hessian and feather/down cushions and upholstered using thesign’s, The Palms, Madagascar and Faye.
Is there a timeless piece of furniture that you wish you had designed yourself? What is it about that piece that speaks to you?
JR: There are so many great designs out there, I guess it would be either the Swan chair or Egg chair by Arne Jacobsen. For something that may look simple, it is quite tricky and a time-consuming job for the upholsterer as they are all hand stitched.
Why do you think more people should feel confident approaching craftspeople like yourself, instead of just buying ready-made pieces?
JR: Having something made bespoke for you can feel like an overwhelming process with all the design decisions. However, companies like Perce & Williams will guide you throughout, allowing you the freedom to create something totally unique making sure you are happy with all the decisions and final design/fabric choices. Each piece is completely tailored to them and to ensure the item will be a cherished one of a kind future heirloom.
Thank you for taking the time to share your expertise with us. To find out more about Perce & Williams, visit perceandwilliams.co.uk and follow them on Instagram @perceandwilliams.upholstery.