Goldilocks was a fussy little madam. Between porridge that was too hot, lumpy beds and chairs that were too hard or too soft, she was always in pursuit of something just right. Well it seems that when it comes to buying sofas, many of us have similar expectations. Finline Furniture has been successfully making sofas in Co Laois for so long, that perhaps they are simply catering to our precious needs.
“We do provide for people’s individual taste more than most,” laughs Ciaran, whose father Kieran started the business in 1979.
“We offer a bespoke service, so because everything is handmade in our warehouse we can make the couch according to the customers’ needs. So if, for example, someone in your house is taller than most we can make a higher back on the couch, or if you have a bad back you can opt for more lumbar support.”
And if you simply want a couch that slots in perfectly to that beautiful bay window, well they can do that too.
Ciaran says that when his father set up in the business in 1979, it was his goal to aim for the higher end of the couch market.
“Dad started out selling foam to furniture stores. He noticed companies were making mid-market mass-produced sofas and there was a niche for high-end products to compete with imports from the UK.”
So Kieran and his wife Brigid left Dublin, bought a small site in Emo, Co Laois, and moved with their young family.
“Because they were an Irish supplier with a quick turnaround time and a high-quality product, they were in the likes of Arnotts and Caseys in Cork within two years.”
The other selling point that meant these high-end retailers were keen to stock Finline Furnture was the fabrics.
“Back then the selection was limited and you’d find the same fabric books in most shops. Dad wanted to offer something different, so he went to Belgium where the fabric was woven. He got a good price by buying in bulk, but he also got exclusivity on the fabric so no one else had the same couches.”
Ten years later, the factory was employing 18 people and that more than doubled in the 1990s, reaching a peak of nearly 50 employees.
“My parents were a great team. Dad was the classic entrepreneur – he loved being on the road, going to business meetings and trade shows, whereas Mam used keep everything ticking over at home. She handled all the books, negotiated with clients and would make sure Dad didn’t go overboard on the expenses,” laughs Ciaran.
Sadly, Brigid passed away two years ago and although Kieran still gets a kick out of a good sale, he has taken a back seat in the business. Now Ciaran and his brother Kilian run the business full time.
“Like many companies, we had our challenges during the recession. Sales dropped off fast in 2008 and because we were high-end we simply weren’t getting the floor space with our retailers. So in 2010, we made the decision to open our own showroom in Emo. It was a risky decision, make or break time to a degree, but it has definitely been the right decision.”
In fact, just two years later the company opened a second showroom in Dublin. It has put an end to much of their wholesale operation in Ireland, but this side of the business continues to be successful as Finline Furnture exports to over 25 counties, including its newest venture in China under the name Heritage House.
Because of the high-quality, many Irish hotels have also opted for their opulent couches.
If you’re staying in Hayfield Manor or the Inchadoney Hotel in Cork, the Heritage hotel in Portaloise or Ballynahinch in Connemara, you’re more than likely relaxing on a Finline Furniture couch. They were also selected as the exclusive supplier to the G8 Summit of World Leaders, which took place at the Lough Erne Resort.
Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and David Cameron all discussed world issues while sitting in their comfortable chairs.
However, as Irish Country Living watched the world pass by on one of their sofas in the showroom, it’s clear customers get the same treatment whether you’re buying one couch or 30.
“It is a big purchase for people,” says Ciaran. “You could be looking at that furniture for 20 years so you want to get it right, and we have had people come in nine or 10 times before pulling the trigger and making a decision.”
The company tries to make it as easy as possible for customers.
“We have in-store interior designers, so if you come in with pictures of your room, colour schemes and dimensions, they will help narrow down the search for you quite quickly.”
What really makes the decision a little easier is their huge selection of fabrics.
“We have over 1,500 fabrics in stock, but we have them all in metre sheets. So if you have a frame you like we can throw that fabric over the couch so you can get a real feel for what the finished product will look like. You’re not dealing with small swatch books that can be quite limiting.”
For more information, visit
www.finlinefurniture.ie
Buying a couch
Do your research. Find pictures you like online, colours that catch your eye and fabrics you find attractive. The purchase can be overwhelming unless you have a good idea of what you like.Take your time. You might want a couch fast for a wedding or a confirmation, but remember you have to live with it long after the big day. Don’t just hop from one couch to the next. Sit on it for a good five minutes because the foam will show its true worth after a few minutes.Although this is the law, if buying second hand, make sure the fabric is fire treated.After care: You don’t need to spend a fortune getting it treated. Go to a hardware store, buy a can of scotch guard and spray it yourself. Don’t buy on your first visit. Bring home sample swatches – they may look a lot different in your sitting room. Take measurements. If you have just moved into a house and the room is empty, measure out the dimensions of your prospective couch on newspapers. Then lay the newspapers on the ground so you can realistically see how much space the couch will take up.
Goldilocks was a fussy little madam. Between porridge that was too hot, lumpy beds and chairs that were too hard or too soft, she was always in pursuit of something just right. Well it seems that when it comes to buying sofas, many of us have similar expectations. Finline Furniture has been successfully making sofas in Co Laois for so long, that perhaps they are simply catering to our precious needs.
“We do provide for people’s individual taste more than most,” laughs Ciaran, whose father Kieran started the business in 1979.
“We offer a bespoke service, so because everything is handmade in our warehouse we can make the couch according to the customers’ needs. So if, for example, someone in your house is taller than most we can make a higher back on the couch, or if you have a bad back you can opt for more lumbar support.”
And if you simply want a couch that slots in perfectly to that beautiful bay window, well they can do that too.
Ciaran says that when his father set up in the business in 1979, it was his goal to aim for the higher end of the couch market.
“Dad started out selling foam to furniture stores. He noticed companies were making mid-market mass-produced sofas and there was a niche for high-end products to compete with imports from the UK.”
So Kieran and his wife Brigid left Dublin, bought a small site in Emo, Co Laois, and moved with their young family.
“Because they were an Irish supplier with a quick turnaround time and a high-quality product, they were in the likes of Arnotts and Caseys in Cork within two years.”
The other selling point that meant these high-end retailers were keen to stock Finline Furnture was the fabrics.
“Back then the selection was limited and you’d find the same fabric books in most shops. Dad wanted to offer something different, so he went to Belgium where the fabric was woven. He got a good price by buying in bulk, but he also got exclusivity on the fabric so no one else had the same couches.”
Ten years later, the factory was employing 18 people and that more than doubled in the 1990s, reaching a peak of nearly 50 employees.
“My parents were a great team. Dad was the classic entrepreneur – he loved being on the road, going to business meetings and trade shows, whereas Mam used keep everything ticking over at home. She handled all the books, negotiated with clients and would make sure Dad didn’t go overboard on the expenses,” laughs Ciaran.
Sadly, Brigid passed away two years ago and although Kieran still gets a kick out of a good sale, he has taken a back seat in the business. Now Ciaran and his brother Kilian run the business full time.
“Like many companies, we had our challenges during the recession. Sales dropped off fast in 2008 and because we were high-end we simply weren’t getting the floor space with our retailers. So in 2010, we made the decision to open our own showroom in Emo. It was a risky decision, make or break time to a degree, but it has definitely been the right decision.”
In fact, just two years later the company opened a second showroom in Dublin. It has put an end to much of their wholesale operation in Ireland, but this side of the business continues to be successful as Finline Furnture exports to over 25 counties, including its newest venture in China under the name Heritage House.
Because of the high-quality, many Irish hotels have also opted for their opulent couches.
If you’re staying in Hayfield Manor or the Inchadoney Hotel in Cork, the Heritage hotel in Portaloise or Ballynahinch in Connemara, you’re more than likely relaxing on a Finline Furniture couch. They were also selected as the exclusive supplier to the G8 Summit of World Leaders, which took place at the Lough Erne Resort.
Barack Obama, Angela Merkel and David Cameron all discussed world issues while sitting in their comfortable chairs.
However, as Irish Country Living watched the world pass by on one of their sofas in the showroom, it’s clear customers get the same treatment whether you’re buying one couch or 30.
“It is a big purchase for people,” says Ciaran. “You could be looking at that furniture for 20 years so you want to get it right, and we have had people come in nine or 10 times before pulling the trigger and making a decision.”
The company tries to make it as easy as possible for customers.
“We have in-store interior designers, so if you come in with pictures of your room, colour schemes and dimensions, they will help narrow down the search for you quite quickly.”
What really makes the decision a little easier is their huge selection of fabrics.
“We have over 1,500 fabrics in stock, but we have them all in metre sheets. So if you have a frame you like we can throw that fabric over the couch so you can get a real feel for what the finished product will look like. You’re not dealing with small swatch books that can be quite limiting.”
For more information, visit
www.finlinefurniture.ie
Buying a couch
Do your research. Find pictures you like online, colours that catch your eye and fabrics you find attractive. The purchase can be overwhelming unless you have a good idea of what you like.Take your time. You might want a couch fast for a wedding or a confirmation, but remember you have to live with it long after the big day. Don’t just hop from one couch to the next. Sit on it for a good five minutes because the foam will show its true worth after a few minutes.Although this is the law, if buying second hand, make sure the fabric is fire treated.After care: You don’t need to spend a fortune getting it treated. Go to a hardware store, buy a can of scotch guard and spray it yourself. Don’t buy on your first visit. Bring home sample swatches – they may look a lot different in your sitting room. Take measurements. If you have just moved into a house and the room is empty, measure out the dimensions of your prospective couch on newspapers. Then lay the newspapers on the ground so you can realistically see how much space the couch will take up. 
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