From ‘dungeon’ to design destination at our Clerkenwell showroom
12 Oct 2025
As part of our fiftieth year celebrations we gave our flagship Clerkenwell showroom a fresh new identity by reimagining a dark basement workspace into a clean and modern design showcase for our Lateral by Havwoods furniture brand.
The reinvention of our Clerkenwell basement into a furniture showcase and open-plan workspace
Once affectionately known as 'the dungeon' by the showroom team, the basement of Havwoods Clerkenwell showroom has undergone a complete transformation, evolving from a dark, segmented workspace into a bright, immersive design environment.
Andrea Young, Head of Showrooms at Havwoods, led the renovation, “I wanted the space to be ultra-modern, bright, innovative and cool - a place where our team and clients would want to spend more time. As a brand we believe in giving our clients dedicated personal consultations and allowing them to spend as much time as they need to discuss the project and compare samples” she explains.
Working with Ashley Salmon, Founder and Director of Zero Gravity Design on the concept and Oakwoods on the fit-out. The renovation provided the perfect opportunity to highlight Lateral, Havwoods’ new furniture range, which takes centre stage throughout the basement, as well as showcase key surface collections.
“Everywhere you look now it’s either Lateral furniture or a Havwoods surface,” says Andrea. “From the Apex kitchen to the Forge tables, we have our bestselling Elegante veneers seamlessly wrapped around the pillars, PurePanel separating a work area, TreeAzzo stylishly used as a counter and splashback in the kitchen area, PurePanel 3D on the cabinets and PureSlat on the ceiling”.
Basement floor: Italian Collection HW16044P Prosecco | Columns: Elegante HW233201T Oak Fresato | Slats/Slated space: PurePanel HW33018 Brienne | Kitchen cupboards: HW31050 PurePanel | Worktops: TreeAzzo HW211013 Nougat and HW218017 Fig | Ceiling: HW2539000 PureSlat 39
With soft curves leading you into the space, recessed lighting and a lighter colour material palette, the space is now ten times brighter and unmistakably Havwoods. “Since unveiling the new space to the design community at Clerkenwell Design Week – we’ve had so many lovely comments from visitors to our show room. Our future plan is to bring the same ultra-modern aesthetic upstairs,” Andrea adds, “upcycling existing furniture with new Havwoods surfaces.”
“For the showroom and business development team based at Clerkenwell, the renovation has transformed their day-to-day working lives. The newly modernised space makes it so much easier for our team to collaborate,” says Sevda Cifci, Showroom Consultant. “It’s a truly immersive way to experience how our products work together in a real-life environment. It feels creative and inspiring - clients pick up on the energy immediately, which really elevates the customer experience.”
Visit our Clerkenwell showroom:
26 – 27 Great Sutton Street, Clerkenwell, London, EC1V 0DS
Visit Havwoods in Clerkenwell to pick up a copy of our latest WoodBook, explore our beautiful 'Lateral by Havwoods' furniture collection, discover the latest wood surface trends and have a personal consultation with our showroom experts.