Blending Heritage and Modern Comfort: Contract Furniture Group Transforms Barrington’s Matlock

Since the late 1990s, Contract Furniture Group has established itself as a trusted partner for the hospitality industry, delivering high-quality, trend-driven furnishings and bespoke interiors for venues across the UK. With in-house manufacturing, a global supply network, and a commitment to craftsmanship, the Group combines scale with creativity to help clients realise their vision while enhancing guest experience.

This expertise recently came to life in the transformation of Barrington’s Pub, Restaurant & Hotel in Matlock, Derbyshire, where Contract Furniture Group refreshed the interiors of this Grade II listed venue. Blending contemporary comfort with the building’s historic character.

Background

Located just outside of Matlock, Barrington’s Pub, Restaurant and Hotel is a Grade II listed building with a rich history dating back to 1890. Originally designed to bring the local community together for leisure, recreation and education, the venue has retained much of its original charm, through stunning oak panels and period features. Since reopening in 2004, the owners have worked hard to maintain the building’s historical essence while ensuring it meets modern standards for hospitality.

The Task

The Barrington’s team approached Contract Furniture Group to assist in the refurbishment of their bar and restaurant area. The goal was to refresh the furniture and décor while preserving the character of the historic building. The original furniture consisted of traditional pub pieces, such as large banquette chairs, solid wooden seating, and tub chairs with heavy wooden tables – many upholstered in faux leather and checkered woven fabric. The challenge was to introduce a more contemporary feel while complementing the existing oak panelling and heritage features.

The Work

To begin the process, Barrington’s owners and designer visited our Nottingham showroom, where they explored our extensive range of chairs and the thousands of contract fabrics available for bespoke upholstery. After viewing samples and discussing design options, the team narrowed down their selections during a second showroom visit, ensuring a perfect match to the pre-chosen French blue wallpaper with gold accents.

For the updated interior, the following loose furniture pieces were selected:

• Semifreddo High Chair – Upholstered in Sunbury Icon Velvet (inside seat and back), paired with Arley House Avalon Chenille (outside back), a contemporary design inspired by sunlight reflecting off rippling water
• Pannacotta Side Chair – Featuring gold feet and stained walnut legs, using the same luxurious fabrics as the Semifreddo High Chair

Both chairs bring a modern aesthetic with smooth curved backs, ensuring they complement each other while introducing variation to the overall look.

In addition to the seating, our Projects Team revitalised the venue’s fixed seating by the windows, removing existing seat pads and refreshing the wooden back to match the new scheme. The team also installed new flooring, further enhancing the fresh and cohesive look of the space.

To create an eclectic yet refined dining environment, a mix of table tops and bases was chosen:

• White Marble Laminate tops with gold edging – Adding a touch of luxury
• Rustic Pine table tops – Providing warmth and complementing the building’s historic charm

The Result

The transformation of Barrington’s has resulted in a stunning new look that seamlessly blends modern elegance with the venue’s historic charm. The gold accents, luxurious fabrics, and combination of marble and rustic table tops create a sophisticated yet welcoming atmosphere.

Beyond aesthetics, the refurbishment also increased seating capacity and improved the layout, ensuring a better flow throughout the restaurant. Guests can now enjoy a more intimate yet spacious dining experience, enhancing both comfort and functionality.

This project is a perfect example of how Contract Furniture Group’s custom solutions and dedicated sales team work hand-in-hand with clients to achieve their vision while respecting the character of historic venues.

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