The Uhuru showroom in the fashion-forward Tribeca neighborhood of New York City opened in May 2015 as an extension of the furniture producer’s workshop in Red Hook, Brooklyn. The new location is easier to get to for Manhattan-based designers, and showcases the
possibilities of the well-crafted brand. The expanse of the first floor of the space
includes a wide selection of Uhuru pieces that are suitable for residential use
but can be customized for commercial specification. “We usually like to start upstairs,
whether the designer is [working in] residential or commercial, just to give them a
sense of our company’s history and where the inspiration behind all of the designs comes
from,” noted Madeleine Hines, an Uhuru account manager who oversees the showroom.
The large slab table (below) is a focal point upon walking into the showroom,
and is often utilized by designers to meet with the Uhuru team and discuss projects.
“We’re known for doing the live-edge dining table with one of our bases,” Hines noted.
“We’ve recently done a lot of conference tables that are this style with solid wood, so
you get a residential feel in the workplace. This is a good example of our work.”
A cozy private room at the back of the main floor is inviting
with a fireplace and stocked bar. Social gatherings like happy hours for design
groups are hosted in this area, along with meetings that have a more relaxed
feel. “We want to invite people in so they’ll talk to us and learn more about
Uhuru,” Hines said. “A lot of what we do is custom so it is not as straightforward
as seeing a line of chairs in a row [in the showroom]. They have to take an
opportunity to see what we are capable of. So many of the pieces have stories behind them.” For example, the chairs in this
room are made of reclaimed oak from bourbon barrel staves; the base comes from New York City firetruck leaf springs.
