I think I can speak for many when I say how sad I was to learn about the financial falling of Habitat, whilst by no means the only one, it was one of the ones most dear to my heart. The ‘set’ of my childhood was very much furnished by Habitat, from our childhood beds to a canary yellow thermometer in the kitchen. And I shall be honest when I say that I was dubious when hearing about Home Retail Group’s acquisition, I grieved all over again. However, I am more than happy to put my hand up and admit that I was hasty in my judgement and wrong. It would seem that the Home Retail Group hold Habitat in the same sentimental light as I.
Last night saw the launch of the first of the ‘new’ Habitat initiatives and I’m going to be bold and say that I think they’ve hit the nail on the head. ‘Art Portfolio’ is a renovation of their art section, which was sadly lacking, into something fresh and exciting. Carefully curated by Jenny Blyth, this collection of 16 works by contemporary and iconic British artists, have been made into limited edition signed prints at affordable prices, including Patrick Heron, Bruce Mclean, Clare Woods and Patrick Caulfield, amongst others. This seems to be the epitome of the very fundamental core value of Conran’s original Habitat, good solid art and design at good solid prices. I reckon Sir Conran would be pleased. Well done.
Priced between £300-£350, 100 limited edition prints of each of the 16 pieces, all framed in Habitat’s dark birch frames are available to buy on-line and in-store now.
