it was very regretful to hear on the news last friday that habitat had gone into liquidation. it was announced they will keep only their three central london stores after a buyout by argos/homebase owners home retail group who purchased the brand name for £24.5 million pounds. founded by terence conran in 1964 sadly they've been over shadowed in recent years by cheaper stores such as ikea. the images are from habitat's spring summer ranges.
Sad news, I adore Habitat, we have had a store in Brighton for years. I love their designs, patterns, the way they have brought in new designers. No other highstreet store compares for me.
ReplyDeleteI share your sadness -- I'm a child of the seventies and grew up surrounded by Habitat furniture, many pieces of which have gone on to be design classics. I do think they have lost their way and are finding it hard to compete with Ikea on prices and also with the vogue for vintage and shabby chic.
ReplyDeleteReally sad news - it's like an end of an era. I've always loved Habitat and the furniture they've produced over the years. This is a real shock.
ReplyDeletethey have such lovely things — sad to see them go under. love the plate runner... imaginative and so fun!
ReplyDeleteI've worked for Habitat for the past 3 years, and always felt inspired by their products. So sad, feels like losing a friend!
ReplyDeleteWhat a shock! However I do think that they lost the Conran ideal for a while and in that space of time IKEA found their niche. Plus so many of the simple products that Habitat championed can be found once again in high street stores and at a cheaper price. A sad case of sitting on your laurels a bit too long.
ReplyDeleteI liked Habitat designs but felt it was over priced and poor quality. I bought a number of items there only to return it or the items would break before I had the opportunity to do so! There was a pretentiousness 'air' about the place.
ReplyDeleteIt's a real shame. We used to have a store in Tunbridge Wells and one in Bluewater but they closed the last time the company was in trouble. I will miss the store on Brighton and popping in during my lunch break.
ReplyDeleteeach one is equally beautiful... i love the round blue one...
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