Anthony showcases chic teak furniture

TEAK furniture conceived in Asia and sold in Oldham was named best product by leading designer Terence Conran at the London Interiors Show.

The Ethnicraft range has been brought to town by Anthony Ferguson, a 37-year-old interiors export specialist from Royton.

He opted to introduce the range to the region after realising that London stockists were failing to offer sufficient product information and competitive prices for Manchester homeowners.

Once in short supply, teak is now experiencing a revival. This precious timber, coveted for centuries by shipbuilders and cabinet makers for its strength and resistance to water, is no longer a victim of its own popularity, as only reclaimed and sustainable teak from forests in Java, Indonesia is used to make Elements Living’s contemporary range Ethnicraft furniture.

Thanks to Elements Living, an exclusive Oldham interiors boutique store in Yorkshire Street, teak furniture is now available locally.

Anthony believes that the clean lines of the living room, dining room and bedroom furniture, conceived to complement today’s urban, loft-living trend, highlight the natural beauty of teak.

He added: “The wood’s high natural oil content means teak is resistant to staining and moisture and has supreme strength.

“Designer furniture isn’t an impulse online purchase — you need to see it in situ and get a feel for the natural materials. Our Oldham showroom means that people don’t have to travel to London to view the range.

“I chose Oldham as I am a local. I was born in Royton and preferred to invest in my home town.”

The firm has also introduced lines from some of the world’s most exclusive wallpaper producers, including Arte, Omexco and Marburg, including pure silk and sculptured velvet coverings for designer walls.

Elements Living has also launched www.elementsliving.co. uk, an online showroom.

Anthony’s background is interior products.

He was the Far East export sales manager for Crown Wallcoverings for 15 years after which he started a consultancy business, selling major European brands to the Far East.

He discovered the Ethnicraft brand while travelling in Asia.