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When you choose Franklin & Hare, you’re choosing to invest in craftsmanship over convenience, longevity over landfill, and a lifetime of comfort over a cycle of replacement.
OUR
STORY
At Franklin & Hare, we believe furniture should be built to last. Pieces that gather memories. That grow warmer with age. That are cared for, re-upholstered over time, and ultimately passed on for generations.
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We are Rich and Hannah, Husband and Wife team and co Founders of Franklin & Hare. Our workshop is based in Buckfastleigh, nestled on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon. Nature is on our doorstep, shaping our respect for materials and our belief in sustainable, thoughtful craftsmanship. Founded in 2014, Franklin & Hare was born from a shared love of interiors, antiques, and the beauty found in things made properly — by hand, with time and care.
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Rich’s journey into upholstery is rooted in a lifelong appreciation for antiques, shaped by early visits to antique fairs alongside his father. It was here that his eye for enduring design and fine craftsmanship first took hold, laying the foundation for what would become a deeply held passion.
Rich found himself increasingly drawn back to these early influences. He started by restoring antique pieces discovered at fairs, chosen for its character and potential. His work was soon recognised and appreciated by local customers, and what began as a personal pursuit evolved into a growing reputation for thoughtful, meticulous restoration.
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We truly believe that great furniture begins with great relationships. We want to understand you, your home, and the way you live. Together, we explore your preferences, the atmosphere you want to create, and the character you want a piece to bring into your space.
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When you work with Franklin & Hare, you’re working with us — the owners, the makers, and the people who care deeply about every detail. We are a team of dedicated craftspeople, united by our passion, our skill, and an ethos rooted in craftsmanship and sustainability. We love the journey each project takes us on, discovering personal stories, family histories, and the small details that make every home truly unique.
From there, we carefully select natural materials that will stand the test of time. We use traditional methods because they work beautifully, and because they honour the craft. Whether we’re restoring a beloved heirloom or creating something entirely bespoke, we approach every project with the same belief; Good furniture has a soul and it’s worth investing in.
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We are proud to play a small part in keeping that tradition alive here in Devon. And we’d love to build or restore something that becomes part of your story too.
OUR
PASSION
We feel passionately about crafting durable furniture using natural, sustainable materials — helping to reduce the presence of harmful chemicals in your home.
We specialise in handcrafted bespoke furniture where every frame, filling, and stitch is chosen with care to ensure longevity, comfort, and wellbeing. By prioritising natural fibres and eliminating toxic substances wherever possible, we create pieces that support a healthier home environment.
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We believe that when you invest in the right piece of furniture, you invest in the future. Built with integrity, our furniture is designed to be repaired, reupholstered, and cherished for generations.
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By working closely with antique frames and heirloom pieces for many years, we’ve learned that furniture can tell a story, one that grows richer with time. Our designs are made to do the same: to age beautifully, evolve with your home, and remain a meaningful part of it for decades.
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We believe that furniture should never be disposable. When it’s made with heart and honesty, it’s made to last.
OUR
MISSION
Our mission is simple: to create future heirlooms from natural, sustainable materials and keep harmful chemicals out of your home and our planet. We believe in making pieces that will be cherished for generations, not discarded with the next passing trend.
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Every piece of furniture we craft is made with integrity, using traditional methods and natural materials that stand the test of time. Our goal is to inspire a shift away from the culture of fast furniture — the mass-produced, short-lived pieces that fill landfills or are incinerated each year — and to remind people of the true value of buying once, for a lifetime.
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We also believe in creating healthier homes. Inside each of our pieces, we use coconut fibre, hair, wool, and other traditional, sustainable materials known for their comfort and longevity. At the request of our customers, we can also incorporate 100% biodegradable natural latex made from the sap of the rubber tree, or a chemical-free foam alternative for those seeking a different feel.
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Each year in the UK, over 670,000 tonnes of furniture are thrown away, much of it ending up in landfill or incinerated. We’re determined to change that, one sofa at a time. By crafting furniture that is made to last and designed to be re-upholstered, we help reduce waste and protect the environment.
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That’s why our mission is simple: to build and restore furniture that’s kinder to the planet and a joy to live with. Furniture you can feel proud to own and proud to pass on. When you choose Franklin & Hare, you’re choosing to invest in craftsmanship over convenience, longevity over landfill, and a lifetime of comfort over a cycle of replacement.