THE EARLY YEARS

Leaving school with no formal qualifications but plenty of enthusiasm and an entrepreneurial spirit, the founder of HerringtonGate, Michael Stephenson, had early success in sales. His real interest and passion however was in property design and architecture. With a strong ability to visualise design concepts in detail, at the age of 23, he decided to move into the property development business.

 

 

A repossessed property in a very challenging state was turned into a luxury home and resold at almost double the value within the space of six months. Little did Michael know that this was the first major step on the road that would lead to a multimillion-pound business supplying handcrafted furniture and architectural interior design for premium properties in the UK and abroad, with prestigious projects that even included multiple rooms within No 10 Downing Street.

A PASSION FOR DESIGN

With the significant profit from his first development, Michael moved on to an even more challenging project with his purchase of HerringtonGate Lodge, an original lodge house set in mature grounds. With his sights set on attracting the very best price for the property, Michael decided he wanted the property to include innovative features, a superior finish, and high-quality bespoke furniture designed by himself.

 

 

After approaching other businesses to discuss manufacture, Michael found that costs and timescales were prohibitive, so he decided to employ a local tradesman to turn his designs into furniture. As part of the redevelopment of the property, a garage in the style of a coach house had been built in the grounds of HerringtonGate, and this would be used as a temporary workshop.

After several meetings with joiners, luck and good timing introduced Michael to Ian Elliot, an ex-shipyard worker who had recently been made redundant. Ian was a highly skilled craftsman and had spent much of his life making bespoke furniture.

MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE

Based on Michael's designs, Ian went on to produce two high-quality wardrobes and a bespoke kitchen, impressing Michael with his workmanship, extensive knowledge, and work ethic. Michael quickly realised that a new business opportunity had presented itself, and with some further investment in second-hand machinery and local advertising, HerringtonGate Furniture was born.

 

The business quickly expanded thanks to word of mouth and a growing reputation for exceptional quality bespoke furniture using intricate and sometimes innovative designs.

As HerringtonGate Furniture took off, the property development of Herrington Lodge was completed, but instead of selling, Michael decided to turn the Lodge into his home. He moved the rapidly growing business into a larger manufacturing facility on an industrial estate and decided to keep the HerringtonGate name.

THE HG BUILDING

In 2008, pushed by a further need to expand, HerringtonGate decided to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Rainton Bridge, near Houghton le Spring. This was officially opened in 2011 by Cherie Blair CBE, who was also a customer of the business.

 

 

Around this time, HerringtonGate also started to become more involved in client projects. Our eye for detail and design skills were regularly being called upon far beyond the design and manufacture of furniture. Michael's passion for interior design and architecture had continued to grow alongside his love of furniture, and the business had started to diversify into architectural interior design. Clients were looking for companies who could oversee all aspects of their design projects, and HerringtonGate had years of valuable expertise in developing interiors, manufacturing, and project management.

A CHANGE OF DIRECTION

In 2015, due to a downturn in the traditional furniture market, HerringtonGate decided to downsize the furniture side of the business. Styles had changed significantly in a short period, and handcrafted traditional furniture was no longer in wide demand as customers began to demand a more contemporary style. Seeing significant growth in demand for our architectural interior design services, we decided to sell the furniture manufacturing facility in 2017; the business would now concentrate entirely on architectural interior design.

 

OUR STORY IS STILL BEING WRITTEN

As property development turned into handcrafted furniture and then into architectural interior design, the story of HerringtonGate continues to be written. We push on, continuing to innovate as our passions for property, furniture, and design combine to drive us forward into the future.