A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to have a tour of the Ercol factory in Bucks. I went along with my work hat on, but realised as soon as I arrived that I should have taken my proper camera to snap some pictures to share with you here – I’ve still not mastered the work/blog balance, obviously! I took some photographs on my phone instead, and found myself drawn to all the amazing patterns there are around the factory, as well as all the organisation and storage. The tour was absolutely fascinating – we saw how Ercol uses high-tech machinery as well as skilled master craftsmen, some of whom have been working at the factory for nearly 40 years.
Watching an Ercol Windsor armchair being assembled by hand made me appreciate the skill that goes into making every piece of furniture, and it’s incredible to think that every Windsor armchair produced by Ercol goes through that same process and level of care and attention. Another highlight was the steam bending room, where wood is bent to create some of the curved pieces used in the furniture. I wish I could have taken Ben and the twins along – I know they’d have enjoyed it as much as I did.
