SOFT furnishings specialist Beaufort Interiors in Moira has expanded its London operation by opening a standalone unit at the Chelsea Harbour Design Centre, renowned as the world’s premier destination for design and decoration excellence.
The family-run firm, established in October 1982 by Ruth Wilson and which initially operated from her front room before acquiring its current premises in 1989, has had display space at Chelsea Harbour for the last two and a half years.
But Beaufort has garnered a growing reputation in the capital, winning a raft of lucrative commercial contracts.
It has now moved to its own space in the Design Centre, which is home to more than showrooms and 600 of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands.
And the expansion into London has led to the creation of a number of new posts across production, accounts, operations and sales.
"Since dipping our toe in the water in London in 2016 we've got involved with a number of high-end designers for manufacturing of soft furnishings," managing director Ruth Wilson told the Irish News.
"And we've now identified a number of potential growth opportunities for Beaufort Designs in the furnishings market."
Her son and company director Trevor Wilson added: "Chelsea Harbour Design Centre is the place in London where the leading interior designers go for fabrics, lighting, furniture, carpets, and we're delighted to have now opened our place there, offering us more space and flexibility.
"All the big-name designer brands have showrooms there. We've developed our own signature style over the years. The volume of business we're getting in Britain is increasing.
"We originally shared a showroom with Simpsons Mirrors and Furniture but felt it's the right time for us to launch our own exclusive collection."
Beaufort specialises in bespoke soft furnishings and made-to-measure curtains, and has its own team of expert designers and craftspeople.
Mrs Wilson, a pioneer of interior design, added: "We're the only curtain manufacturer among the hundreds of high end designer fabric brands within the Chelsea design centre, which offers us an unrivalled platform to showcase our range of luxury bespoke products.
"We already worked with the likes of the 10 Trinity Square listed building near London's Tower Bridge and for the State of Bahrain, while we've completed a 98-window 36,000 sq ft property in Jersey and done work in Russia and Stockholm.
"It's been an exceptional start for us in London, much better than we anticipated, and we're quickly building a reputation."
When it originally launched into Britain in 2016, Beaufort was backed by Invest NI to the tune of £48,000 from Invest NI.
At that time Invest NI's director of consumer products Grainne McVeigh described Beaufort as "a niche manufacturing business which has had to react quickly in order to respond to opportunities brought about by substantial growth in the soft designer furnishings market in the UK".
"Investing in new staff and focused marketing will enable the company to meet its customer's demands and take this family firm to next level." she said.
Chelsea Harbour Design Centre is considered the world's premier destination for design excellence.
Home to close to 300 showrooms and more than 600 of the world's luxury brands, it was described by Vanity Fair as ‘the interior design world’s Mecca’.
As well as their own designs, Beaufort stocks brands such as Fendi Casa, Mulberry Home, Zoffany, Duresta, Leolux and Simpsons Mirrors.
