Words: Cross Nelson
This year we are proud to celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Brunel furniture range. Designed by Rob Scarlett, the collection has become a firm favourite since its introduction. When asked how he feels about his range turning a decade old he answered, ‘One of the things that Heal’s has always been excellent at is delivering that longevity.’
As a company founded in 1810, longevity is a core value of our business, but most importantly, a core value of our product design. Ever since Ambrose Heal introduced his furniture designs to the company in the 1890s, the mission for Heal’s furniture production has been to craft long lasting, well made pieces of furniture that people will be proud to own.
The Brunel range perfectly embodies this mission, and with a decade on the shopfloor under its belt, it underscores how the best of Heal’s pieces are the ones that remain timeless. The timeless character of the range comes from Scarlett’s synthesis of styles; he nods to the Mid-Century with powder coated steel hairpin legs, and reflects the values of the Arts & Crafts movement in the simple, yet intentional craft of the wooden cabinetry.
It is the subtlety of the ornament of these pieces that adds to the timelessness of them, which Scarlett describes as ‘small details that add together.’ Expanding on his approach to the design he says ‘I really dislike big showy things because your furniture needs to sit within a wider environment, and if all of your furniture is shouting, it's not very relaxing to walk into…I quite like quiet furniture.’
When designing his early furniture ranges for Heal’s, Ambrose Heal believed that furniture should be beautiful, but ornament should never compromise the functionality of a piece.
When asked about the design for Brunel, Scarlett quoted the Shaker philosophy, “Don't make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don't hesitate to make it beautiful.”
Clearly Scarlett understood the elements of furniture design that Heal’s valued, and crafted a range that reflected these very values. Together, the thoughtful design and the practicality of the Brunel range makes it ideal for people who want furniture that they can feel proud to own and feel comfortable using on a daily basis.
Not only was it important to Ambrose Heal to produce well made furniture, but he also believed that Heal’s should offer economical ranges so that a wider market could afford to furnish their homes with high quality pieces. Brunel was designed with the same attention to the consumer, and its approachable price point makes it ideal for those who are looking to buy quality furniture without spending an exorbitant amount.
The price is also complimented by the extensive selection in the range, meaning that you can efficiently furnish an entire space with Brunel. In our stores and on our website the range is configured into ‘The Brunel Apartment’ to show how the living room, the dining room, and the bedroom can all be outfitted with pieces from the range.
It is especially convenient for furnishing more compact spaces, since the airy appearance of the hairpin legs allow the space to feel more open, even with multiple pieces in the room.
Over the last decade, the lifestyle imagery of Brunel has situated the furniture within industrial urban lofts, Scandinavian style bungalows, and sleek mid-century flats, demonstrating how the timeless nature of the range allows it to sit comfortably within a variety of interiors.
Despina Curtis was the stylist behind the original and latest Brunel photoshoots, when asked how it feels to style the same range a decade later, Curtis said, ‘It’s really encouraging to see the Brunel collection stand the test of time and still feel fresh and relevant 10 years on. It’s a testament to how adaptable the range is when you look at the images from the launch shoot and also the most recent incarnation.’
Reflecting on her choice of interiors for the 2014 shoot, Curtis said, ‘Brunel’s design roots are underpinned by an industrial style aesthetic. I wanted to place the collection within a backdrop which was a nod to an environment where it was created . As well as finding an interior which would appeal to a younger urban dwelling audience.’
Considering the 2024 Brunel imagery, Curtis said, ‘Fast forward 10 years and the most recent shoot embraced the mid century design aesthetic within the collection. We used an original 1960’s house in London with lots of great textures such as teak wood and slate walls which created a lovely tonal backdrop to the new version of Brunel.’
The new version of Brunel that Curtis mentions is the special tenth anniversary edition of the range, featuring red legs rather than the traditional black. This bold pop of colour enhances the versatility of Brunel and gives customers the exciting chance to incorporate some colour into their spaces.
Curtis is also an expert on colour, having recently launched her new colour consultancy, Etté, so we asked her for tips on the best ways to introduce red into an interior. ‘Buying the Brunel in red, it's just that flash of red, it's not a wash of it, so it can work really well against darker colours or very lovely neutral whites,’ Curis explains.
‘When wanting to integrate a bold colour into a space I would recommend starting small to build up your confidence. This could be choosing a bold colour object such as a textile piece or a lamp. Red generally works with a lot of colours, you’d be surprised.’ So if your interiors are in need of a refresh, this anniversary range is the perfect way to try something new and unexpected.
With a new colour option and the classic Brunel range feeling just as fresh as when it first launched, we are confident that this range will continue to furnish homes for another decade. Accessible, practical, and timeless, Brunel has become a symbol of the Heal’s brand, meaning you can take pride in knowing that you’ve invested in a piece of considered design.
