Those of you who follow the blog regularly will know of my penchant for independent businesses, particularly when the products are of a high quality, ethically sourced and made locally.
Farringdon and Forbes is an independent home fragrance and interior gifting store, situated in the Resorts World leisure complex next to the NEC in Birmingham. Founded by Jules Cardozo-Marsh, the brand seeks to provide affordable luxury for the home, as well as catering for corporate events and weddings across the UK, and only opened it’s doors eight months ago.
There are an enormous range of products available, including scented candles of all sizes, tealights and diffusers. The candles are made from 100% soy, with all of the raw materials sourced from around the UK and handmade in Warwickshire. The company prides itself on supporting UK trade and being environmentally conscious, so they have stripped away the packaging from the products and offer a recycling facility, with a 10% discount offered on a future purchase with the return of empty glass jars once the candles have been used. The materials used in the production of the products means also that they last longer – the tealights burn for approximately seven hours, which is double the length of time for a standard tealight, and the diffusers can last up to six months.
The store reflects the ethos of the products completely – classic, elegant and sophisticated – and I was like a kid in a candle shop. I was introduced to unique scents like Jasmine and Honeysuckle, Lavender and Sage and Damask Rose and Oud and each one was individually beautiful, without being too overpowering or sweet. I also loved the fact that there are introductions of new fragrances throughout the year that reflect the seasons and celebrations, and we were given the opportunity to try the new scents of Pomegranate and White Fig, Lime, Basil and Mandarin and Fresh Fig and Green Apple that are due for release soon. I’m certainly going to be purchasing the Lime, Basil and Mandarin (it was gorgeous!) as I know that The Bloke would enjoy this one as much as I do.
Affordable luxury isn’t often something that goes hand-in-hand, and I overheard another blogger comment on the fact that she had been reticent to actually use a luxury candle in the past when she had spent so much money on it. I’ve experienced this myself, feeling like I have wasted my money once it has been used. However, with the lack of unnecessary packaging it means that these products are indeed affordable, with candles on offer for as little as £10 and the larger candles being available for £25, which would easily be double the price in similar stores. Bargain! There is also the opportunity to personalise candles for specific events.
Farringdon and Forbes also offers a huge range of beautiful interior gifts, jewellery and cards for every occasion, with items suitable for birthdays, weddings and babies. I could imagine so many of the products in my own home, and I know where I will be shopping for Christmas gifts for a number of my family and friends.
I loved the personalised jewellery (for which additional charms can be purchased), the birdcage tealight holder (£8.00) and the handmade cards (£3.50) that adorned the walls. Admittedly, I had to refrain from emptying a large portion of my savings account so I could buy everything!
Even better, I’m in the midst of planning my own wedding, and I discovered a whole range of lovely things that I have decided that I now need at my celebration next year. In particular, there was something that I had never seen before. Affectionately referred to as the ‘Kimye Wall,’ this was an enormous wall of flowers. It looked amazing and smelled beautiful, and apparently this is becoming immensely popular for weddings, particularly as it can be personalised to suit the occasion. They offer any size, with any flowers, at competitive rates. I didn’t know I needed a flower wall, but now I need a flower wall.
We all need a flower wall.
I’ve been lucky enough to have been invited to a number of events, but this was certainly one of my favourites. We were given such a lovely welcome, along with being spoilt with beautiful canapes, mini macarons and sweets, and despite it being one of the hottest days of the year I loved it. I particularly loved the passion that Jules has for the brand, which is absolutely reflected in the products, and it’s easy to see why Farringdon and Forbes is becoming incredibly popular, already being used in homes, businesses and at corporate events across the country.
Want to know more? You can contact Farringdon and Forbes here, and you can also find them on their Twitter account @FarringdonForb and their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/farringdonandforbes
Disclaimer: I was invited to attend the event at Farringdon and Forbes free of charge and was given a sample gift bag, but was under no obligation to provide a positive review. I know, it’s a tough life, but someone has to do it!
Suzie Speaks 
Looks like my kind of place! x
I was telling Jules, the founder, last night just how much you’d love it… Yet another place to visit when you come to Brum!
Mmm. I can almost smell the yumminess from way over here!
They were stunning – I’ve got a candle in my front room here and it’s smells gorgeous!
I can smell the luxury all the way across the pond In Niagara Falls…
I have a candle here and it smells so nice!
You need a flower wall! And I need to visit this store… 🙂
I’ll add it to the list Helen – looks like you’re going to need a week here haha!
I really am! haha 🙂