Inside the Studio: Curating Our First Collection

Inside the Studio: Curating Our First Collection

The story behind Hjem’s first collection of reclaimed elm furniture and antique French confit pots and oil jars.

Every collection has a beginning. For Hjem, ours started with a love of natural materials, beautiful old things and interiors that feel collected over time.

I wanted to create a collection that felt warm, understated and full of character, bringing together reclaimed furniture and antique finds with a history of their own. But turning that vision into reality meant learning a whole new side of the interiors business along the way.

Here’s a little look behind the scenes at how our first collection came together.

Sourcing our reclaimed elm furniture

I knew from the beginning that reclaimed elm had to be at the heart of Hjem. I love the character of old wood, the beautiful grain, the imperfections and the sense of history that comes with it. I wanted to find furniture that felt timeless and full of character, rather than something that would simply follow a trend.

The challenge? I had absolutely no experience importing furniture from Asia!

What followed was a rather steep learning curve. I set about researching suppliers, asking questions, learning about shipping and logistics, and trying to get my head around the whole process of importing furniture into the UK. There was a lot to figure out, and plenty of moments when I had to learn as I went along, but I was determined to get it right.

Eventually, I found a supplier who worked with reclaimed elm and understood the look I was trying to achieve for Hjem. From there, the first furniture collection began to take shape.

It was a huge learning experience, and seeing that initial idea turn into an actual collection of furniture was incredibly rewarding. It also gave me a real appreciation for just how much goes on behind the scenes before a piece ever makes it onto a website.

I might have taught myself how to import furniture, but I’m still very much learning as I go. Next on the list? Mastering social media and getting the Hjem name out into the world!

French brocantes and antique finds

Alongside the furniture, I wanted to source accessories with genuine history and individuality. For this, I turned to France.

Our antique French confit pots and oil jars were sourced from brocantes and flea markets, where part of the pleasure is never quite knowing what you might discover.

I love their aged surfaces, earthy tones and beautifully imperfect shapes. Originally made for practical everyday use, these pieces now bring a wonderful sense of history to interiors. Whether styled on a console table, grouped together on a shelf or placed on the floor, they have a presence that feels effortless.

Each piece was chosen individually, with an appreciation for its character, patina and the story it carries. No two are quite alike, which is exactly what makes antique sourcing so special.

A collection with character

Bringing the reclaimed elm furniture and French antiques together was about creating a collection that feels natural, considered and timeless.

At Hjem, I am drawn to interiors that embrace texture, aged materials and understated colours rather than following passing trends. I want our pieces to feel at home in spaces that evolve over time, where natural wood and antique objects bring warmth and individuality.

Building this first collection has taught me so much, from international sourcing to the practicalities of importing furniture. It has also reinforced something I believe in wholeheartedly: the best pieces are those chosen for their character, quality and lasting appeal.

Now, having tackled the world of importing and sourcing, I think my next challenge is mastering social media and getting the Hjem name out there! There is always something new to learn when building a business, and I am excited to share more of the journey, discover new finds and introduce Hjem to people who love interiors as much as I do.

Hjem is still at the beginning of its journey, but these first finds capture exactly what I want the brand to stand for: thoughtfully sourced reclaimed furniture and antiques that bring a little more soul to our homes.

Thank you for being part of the journey.

Discover Hjem

Explore our collection of reclaimed elm furniture and antique French finds at [www.hjem.uk](https://www.hjem.uk).

Hjem is a Hampshire-based interiors brand specialising in reclaimed elm furniture and characterful antique finds, thoughtfully sourced for timeless homes.