Beautiful Homes

Arding & Hobbs held pride of place in Clapham Junction, with a large department store built in 1885. The store had large furnishing galleries but sold other household goods too. Like many of the large furniture retailers of the period, they discouraged manufacturers from labeling their wares - giving the impression that Arding & Hobbs had made everything on sale and reducing the chance of price comparisons. The shop supplied traditional furniture with modern decorations. But they did their own version of 'moderne' too, an example being their scheme for 'the one-room Bachelor Flat.' The comprehensive set included a box divan bed, bookcases, cheval mirror, circular table, folding table and corner cupboard, all smartly faced in walnut and set off with a geometric rug. (JA)