Material Things

Material Things: furniture, re-upholstery and window coverings in Portsmouth

Material Things is a family business based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, that has been serving the South of England since 1975. It began by re-upholstering chairs in a garage and has grown into a 12,000 sq/ft furniture showroom with an upholstery workshop on the same site in Farlington. The company describes itself as a one-stop shop for furniture, re-upholstery, curtains, blinds, flooring and related accessories.

Bespoke sofas and own-brand furniture

The company designs and builds bespoke sofas in its Farlington workshop using solid beech frames and traditional techniques. Customers can choose from thousands of fabrics and a range of sizes, from armchairs and snugglers to corner sofas and chaise sofas. Its own brand, Bowes & Hill, is handmade in Hampshire and carries an emblem of British craftsmanship.

Branded sofas and furniture

Alongside its own production, Material Things stocks made-to-order sofas from manufacturers including Ercol, G Plan, Himolla, Parker Knoll and Stressless. The showroom also displays other furniture categories such as chairs, riser recliners, footstools, coffee tables, dining chairs, dining tables, nest tables, side tables and office chairs. The website listed a Himolla Chester 4247 two-seater sofa from £1,979.20 and advertised 20% off its UK-made range plus an extra 5% off electric items at checkout.

Re-upholstery service

Re-upholstery has been part of the business for nearly 50 years. The service is presented as a way to give sofas, armchairs and other seating a complete new life. It includes home visits, free fabric samples and local delivery, according to the company.

Curtains, blinds, shutters and awnings

Material Things makes curtains from more than 10,000 fabric choices and offers free home consultations. It also supplies and fits blinds, from traditional Roman styles to motorised systems, and lists categories including awnings, shutters, electric blinds, Duette, Night & Day, Allusion, Blindscreen, Silhouette, Pirouette, Perfect Fit, BBSA commercial blinds, and external screens and pergolas. The site highlighted Basswood Premium Shutters with 20% off the UK-made range.

Flooring and other products

The flooring range includes carpets from brands such as Ulster and Victoria, with professional fitting included, as well as Coretec LVT. The company also mentions fabrics, pictures, mirrors and curtain poles among its product categories.

Showroom and workshop in Farlington

The showroom and workshop operate under one roof in Farlington, Portsmouth. The company states that its showrooms are among the largest in the South of England and are built in front of its upholstery workshops. It presents itself as the original one-stop shop for furniture and soft furnishings in the area.