The 'Cool Britannia' look was everywhere at the bi-annual High Point furniture market in North Carolina this year, but British company HALO has an authentic place in the UK style universe. Since 1976, they've been making handcrafted furniture inspired by English heritage — think Carnaby Street meets the lodge-and-country-house look. Their current collection is full of Union Jack upholstery and leather club chairs.
Founded in 1976 by Manchester entrepreneur Major Philip Oulton, the company is now run by his sons, Tim and Charlie. They maintain partnerships and licensing agreements with Esquire Home, Restoration Hardware, and other companies who mix Halo's vintage masculine look into their collections.
At the HALO showroom in High Point, everything was styled with inventive twists like a bowler hat chandelier and a staircase-turned-library. Their market party featured A Clockwork Orange played on a loop while bartenders dressed in white jumpers and black hats with the signature Malcolm McDowell eyeliner.
Halo products are available to the trade through ABC Carpet & Home in New York and HD Buttercup in Los Angeles.
MORE INFORMATION: HALO
ABOUT HIGH POINT MARKET
Located in North Carolina and held twice each year in April and October, High Point Market is "the largest furnishings industry trade show in the world." The market includes 180 buildings, 10 million square feet of showspace, and over 2,000 exhibitors who exhibit to designers, buyers, press, and industry representatives.
Photos: Sarah Coffey
Store History
- Founded: 1976
- Founded by: Major Philip Oulton
- Headquarters: Manchester, UK
Founded in 1976 by Manchester entrepreneur Major Philip Oulton, the company is now run by his sons, Tim and Charlie. They maintain partnerships and licensing agreements with <a href="http://www.haloprivatelabel.com/esquire.html">Esquire Home</a>, <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/artisan/100014/timothy-oulton">Restoration Hardware</a>, and other companies who mix Halo's vintage masculine look into their collections. Halo products are available to the trade through ABC Carpet & Home in New York and HD Buttercup in Los Angeles.
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Love the bowler hats! I can't think of a suitable setting, but the concept cracks me up!
HATS!!! I love it! I'm seeing indoor vintage wedding reception... in an old barn.... with a cabaret... is that weird?? (Did I mention I loved the hats??)
definitely using that hat-as-light idea for a wedding! this is not the last we will see of that look!
The repurposing of the vintage bowlers is absolutely brilliant and even more stunning. What an incredible idea! Thanks for sharing.
Ooooh, I love the idea with the hats! :) I might acually try that but does anyone know if it is save, what with the warmth of a lightbulb? Maybe it's not an issue because regular light bulbs are banned in Germany and we only get the enegy saving ones that don't get too warm but still I am wondering if there would be a good way to insulate the hat a bit?
While I love the look of the bowler hat chandelier, it would kill me to drill into the bowler. "NO! It should be on MY HEAD!!!!"
I love the items in the photos but not the design. I think the thing I don't like is the very thing that makes this innovative. It's the non-traditional use of the traditional items. I guess I want my tradition to stay traditional.
Some very clever and fun ideas...the thing that caught my eye was the bread cabinet!