Travelling the world can open a door of possibilities and intense inspiration. It can give you ideas and encouragement to do something you never thought you would.
Little Tree Furniture was born after Neil Buckley-Jensen and his wife Aimee explored India and discovered the traditional woodworking methods and beautiful, sustainable furniture that could be found there.
Enthused and inspired by what they had seen, the couple decided to bring unique furniture to the world through the Little Tree Furniture brand.
"I've always been interested in furniture because my grandad was a cabinet maker and I spent my childhood in his workshop" said Neil. "While exploring India, we were hugely inspired by the woodworking we saw there with craftspeople using old colonial tools. When we came back, we bought an old house in East Sussex and we went back to India with furniture designs' The handmade furniture was an instant hit and for a while their home became the showroom.
Little Tree Furniture specialises in creating handmade, individual furniture pieces from reclaimed materials. Putting love, effort and attention into each item, we take pride in each piece so that you can too.
The Little Tree Furniture carpentry yards use colonial tools and traditional woodworking methods, promoting authentic joinery techniques and the heritage behind British carpentry. This helps to maintain the authentic markings and features of the wood as well as reducing the waste levels and carbon footprint. As 'The Reclaimers, Little Tree Furniture brings to life what most others would consider lost. From its ethos and eco-friendly approach, to its authentic furniture designs; everything about Little Tree Furniture stands out from the crowd - and in turn, creates a home full of personality and pride.
Why Reclaimed?
It's not just about what you can gain today, it's about what you can add to tomorrow, and at Little Tree Furniture there's a genuine concern about the future and the protection of the environment.
Creating their own company policy of 'wood working with a conscience' they set themselves the guideline that all the materials used for their creations should (where at all possible) be reclaimed (recycled). By purchasing from Little Tree Furniture you can not only enhance your home, you can also help the environment.
In most cases the wood is well over 75 - 150 ears old and has its own unique story to tell. Little Tree Furniture doesn't just source their wood from the land - the wood can have previously been anything, from fortress doors, to fishing boat timbers. By allowing the wood to naturally reveal its secrets and history each upcycled piece has a character and personality that will only ever be found in that one piece.
Craftsmanship
Although based in the UK, behind these one-of-a-kind Little Tree Furniture items is a wonderful team of craftsmen (who Neil and Aimee consider extended family members) working in both the UK
Little Tree Furniture employs local qualified Carpenters in the UK, whilst in India, the carpentry yards have been specifically chosen due to their colonial tools and traditional woodworking methods; promoting authentic joinery techniques and the heritage behind British carpentry. Additionally, Little Tree Furniture applies fair trade principles to all of their international imports ensuring that each of their furniture items are made by highly skilled craftsmen who benefit personally from any Little Tree Furniture business, helping their communities and local economy.
All pieces are handmade, mainly from hardwood, using traditional carpentry techniques. This helps to maintain the authentic markings and features of the wood as well as reducing the waste levels and carbon footprint associated with the building process. Thanks to their skilled craftsmen and vision, Little Tree Furniture is unique. From its ethos and eco-friendly approach, to its authentic furniture designs; everything about Little Tree Furniture stands out from the crowd - and in turn, creates a home full of personality and pride.
The End Result
If you're looking for furniture with the ultimate feel good factor it doesn't get much better than this! Alongside helping the environment and the economy, Little Tree Furniture also gives back to communities and charities. With a strong sense of corporate social responsibility, Little Tree Furniture dedicates a proportion of their time, funds and efforts to UK based charities and schools.
Sponsoring a local English school football team, they are working with them to build links with schools and orphanages in India, with the aim to benefit children in both Britain and India. Whether it's providing football kits or a decent level of education, Little Tree Furniture is helping to forge communications and understanding between UK and Indian schools.
The creations from Little Tree are mostly solid wood and generally cannot be dismantled which ensures that you receive a quality piece of furniture that is real solid wood with no imitation veneers.
Little Tree furniture will not be delivered flat packed' (with the exception of beds and some tables) which is good for you and good for the furniture!
When buying from Little Tree you won't be leaving with just another piece of furniture, you'll be leaving with a "new addition" to your family that tells its own unique story and looks absolutely amazing.
Enjoy!