7 minute read
Lene Bjerre
Home Interiors
Contemporary Nordic style
Lene Bjerre is a Danish company with Scandinavian design items for the entire home. Combining the love for handicrafts with contemporary designs, the company offers beautiful products for every room in the home. With stock levels high and ready to deliver, we catch up with new CEO, Per Nybo Nielsen, to learn why the Lene Bjerre style is perfect for the UK retailer
What’s the story of Lene Bjerre?
The company was founded in 1975 by Danish designer Lene Bjerre, who founded the business on beautiful design, high quality and a love for nature. Incredibly successful in her own country, Lene started to introduce the brand outside Denmark. The company still is a family company, now owned by Suzanne Sand and Bjarne Poulsen together with Per Nybo Nielsen and a German partner. In the later years Lene Bjerre Design A/S has been taken even further into large export markets.
What’s your career journey to joining Lene Bjerre as CEO?
I have a long and solid background in the interior business, and joined the Lene Bjerre family last year.
How would you describe the Lene Bjerre look?
It’s a contemporary, Nordic and organic look that stays faithful to the original DNA of the company. Everything is designed in Nibe, Northern Denmark, with a great concern for the environment. The company thinks carefully about social responsibility and sustainability - the benefits they give their workers, how many trees they re-plant when using them for furniture, and much more.
How long has Lene Bjerre been in the UK market?
We’ve been here on a small scale for three or four years, with many customers staying with us all this time. Now we are ready to expand and are here with a new sales team, full of energy and ready to introduce you to the world of Lene Bjerre. We’re here to help, whether you’re an existing account holder or a retailer who’s new to the brand. We have plenty of stock available, and are actively are looking to extend our network of retailers across the UK right now.
Per, what is it about Lene Bjerre designs that strikes such a chord with UK retailers?
I think it’s because Lene Bjerre offers classic classy design that is able to live on for a long time, and can always be mixed and matched with more contemporary items. The combination of a classic style with trend-based items creates a unique and personal interior setting.
What can a new retailer expect from Lene Bjerre in terms of support?
We have a devoted team in the UK, consisting of Simon Pykett, Country Manager, and his team of agents. This gives us a local presence, where we can be in touch with customers on a daily basis.
How has the company dealt with Brexit – and how are you helping retailers navigate the new rules?
We spent last part of 2020 preparing ourselves and are managing Brexit well. We have our system set up so we can help with everything from our side. In this way, it’s easy to trade with Lene Bjerre for our UK customers.
What are the key looks and key ranges you have available right now for Lene Bjerre customers?
Lene Bjerre has its SS2021 ranges available divided into Heritage, Living, Tabletop and Outdoor. Right now we feel a strong demand for our Stoneware called Amara, same for most of our flowerpots, the Portia Bath series as well as Outdoor products such as our organic garden furniture, Mandisa and Norah. We have also started selling our beautiful Christmas 2021 collection, which has had a fantastic receipt on all markets.
Become a retailer!
Country manager Simon Pykett employs a full sales team covering all areas Call: 0044(0) 7967 209156 | Email: spp@lenebjerre.com | Visit: retail.lenebjerre.com
Home Interiors
Flying high
Present Time
While the company are well known for their clocks and timepieces, they also offer a wide range of home accessories, including furniture, kitchen accessories, home accessories and lights. They also have a fabulous new selection of indoor planters.
Shown here are the Plant Pot Set Essence Straight in Warm Grey iron, and their Plant Pot Set in Matt Black Iron, with tripod legs. On the wall you can see their Wall Hanger Origami Birds in Warm Grey and Jungle Green. Call: 07975 597855 Email: lf@presenttime.com Visit: presenttime.com
So sentimental
Joe Davies
Check out the new Scrabble Message Table Plaques from Joe Davies, based on the Scarbble tile holders that are in the traditional scrabble game make the perfect gift and home décor accessory.
Designed in the shabby chic style to match the rest of the range in cream and natural wood they are sure to evoke happy memories especially as family games are having a moment in lockdown! Choose from many popular captions such as Friends, Family, Best Mum and I Love Dad. Joe Davies are well known for their trademark ‘little & often’ ordering quantities and their awardwinning customer service team.
Tel: 0161 975 6300 Email: sales@joedavies.co.uk Directions: Stockport, SK5 7GA Visit: joedavies.co.uk Helping hands
Richard Lang & Son
The giftware company have launched the Lang’s Helping Hands Platform which is full of downloadable product images, articles, shoppable brochures and so much more: langshelpinghands.com. You can also book a Zoom call or make an appointment directly on the platform.
You can discover lots of home accessories, including these LED Balls (above, right) with cutout stars, and the Gnome Stoneware Jug and Mug. Call: 01332 340927 Email: sales@richardlang.co.uk Visit: richardlang.co.uk
Design-led homeware
Widdop & Co.
Widdop & Co’s talented in-house designers create a diverse selection of homeware – from garden ornaments to home furniture and accessories.
Remaining consistent with modern trends across a collection of eight unique ranges, popular Hestia offers a huge selection of home furnishings and accessories to suit all tastes while maintaining affordability and elegance.
Their Ice & Slice range is proving to be a popular choice for the summer. Highly commended at 2020’s Gift Of The Year awards, this range of glassware is a unique concept, offering the perfect statement pieces for gifting or serving up cocktails. Each glass is carefully crafted to embed a refreshing piece of fruit or ice cube.
Still recognised as a designer of exceptional clocks with unrivalled quality, William Widdop remains one of their best-selling clock brands. Incorporating their flagship brand’s traditions, with new and innovative designs, their range of wall, mantel, alarm and miniature clocks guarantee a long-lasting home accessory.
They’re also the home of two other clock brands. With stunning 100% Swarovski crystal embellishments and unique sound quality, Rhythm is globally renowned as the number one clock brand for its beauty and quality. Launched in 2010, Hometime brings trend-led but practical style, alongside functional quality.
Naturecraft is a popular choice for wildlife enthusiasts and those looking to inject the beauty of nature into their homes during lockdowns. With a selection of highquality, traditional animal figurines, gifts and keepsakes, this brand offers the perfect range of home accessories to celebrate nature in the UK and abroad.
Bringing some much-needed vibrancy and personality into homes this spring, their collaboration with Meg Hawkins embraces the beauty of modern art with a collection of watercolour illustrated home and gifting products - perfect for modern homes.
As a signature name behind a diverse range of ornaments, Julianna Collection can be seen in their home and gift showrooms. From classic figurines to modern collectables celebrating world culture, with branded packaging, these items make perfect gifts or contributions to a stylish theme.
Covid-safe showroom tours can be booked on their website or through sales representatives. Call: 0161 688 1226 | Email: sales@widdop.co.uk Visit: widdop.co.uk
Birds, bees…and flowers!
Mosney Mill
Bee and Wildflower
Inspired by Mosney’s own wildflower meadow, the textiles feature a vanilla yellow background with an abundance of wildflowers and bees feeding on the nectar they provide. The kitchen ceramics mirror the vanilla yellow with addition of a white background within the range.
Swallow
For a contemporary look, flying swallows feature on a pale blue background on British manufactured ceramics and textiles.
