Belgian top quality
Durlet is widely recognised as a benchmark for quality. Ever since this family company was set up in 1966, Durlet has enjoyed an excellent reputation for designing and producing durable seating. Only the highest quality fabrics and leathers selected from the best tanneries in Europe are processed with care and an eye for detail in Durlet’s workshops in Izegem, Belgium.
Quality may not always be visible, but with Durlet products you know that it’s there. Every single piece and every tiny detail of a Durlet is designed by this high quality: not just the leather or the fabric, but also the different components such as the frame, the springs, the cushions, the stitching and the thread; everything right down to the chair legs is selected or manufactured with the greatest care. It is the sum of all these different high quality elements that guarantees top class chairs and sofas with the ultimate nish.
Craftsmanship and technology
Craftsmanship and modern technology are equal partners in the manufacturing process of Durlet. The result is unparalleled quality and exibility. When you buy a Durlet from the standard range you have an opportunity to express yourself. Different options exist enabling you to personalise your chair or sofa according to your needs or whims. With most models you can select the leather or fabric, stitching, chair legs, back height, seat depth, etc. of your choice. So that you can create your very own personalised Durlet.
Timeless design and comfort
It is not just quality that defines a piece of Durlet furniture; it is also the design. And design is not just a fashion instrument for Durlet, but a mainspring, a corporate philosophy, a management tool. Durlet’s uncompromising quest for sophisticated design throughout the years has created a powerful and unique identity.
All Durlets are contemporary, innovative and timeless. And without frills, because Durlets are primarily functional, comfortable, ergonomic. During the concept phase, each model is assessed for its aesthetic quality, compatibility with surroundings, visual coherence, personalisation options and choice of materials. And of course Durlet never forgets the importance of comfort: the shape and density of the cushions, the webbing tension, seat depth, lower back support, back height, etc.
World-renowned designers
Durlet works with internationally renowned designers both in Belgium and abroad. Durlet seamlessly translates their vision into realistic, long-lasting and timeless designs. Designers include Claire Bataille & Pol Ibens (B), Frank De Clercq (B), Riccardo Boffil (E), Axel Enthoven (B), Alfredo Häberli (CH), Henk Heres (NL), Sylvain Joly (F), Idir Mecibah (TR), Bruno Moinard (F), Alain Monnens (B), Antonio Pinto (P), Jacob Pringiers (B), Andrée Putman (F), Carlo Santi (I), Anita Schmidt (D), Stefan Schöning (B), Frans Schrofer (NL), Vincent Van Duysen (B), Maarten van Severen (B), Teun van Zanten (NL), Lowie Vermeersch (B) and Roderick Vos (NL). Durlet has been rewarded for many years of hard work with several nominations and international awards. The most important of these are the Roscoe Award New York, the European Community Design Prize, the Meubeltrofee Brussels, the Singapore Furniture Show Design Award, the “Henry van de Velde Award for Enterprise” and most recently the Red Dot Design Award for the model Bertus in 2010.
The Durlet collection comprises chairs, sofas, reclining chairs, club chairs, settees and individual seating elements for residential and contract markets. Durlet’s clients can be found in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Switzerland, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, the United States and other countries.
Development
Each new Durlet goes through a thorough internal analysis. Design proposals are carefully selected, assessed and modied until they are perfect.
And Durlet continues working with the designers throughout the whole development stage to ensure consistent quality and homogeneous design. Only once the preliminary design stages and seating tests are nalised, is the model put into production.
Production
A typical Durlet production process involves:
- Putting the frame together
- Installing the springs
- Attaching the foam to the frame
- Making the cushions
- Cutting the leather
- Stitching
- Covering the frame and the cushions
Much of the process is done by hand, backed up by modern techniques and technology, and always with the goal of achieving impeccable quality. Checks carried out by the Durlet quality department at every step of the process guarantee that nothing slips through the net. Even when nished the chairs and sofas are given a nal once-over. The illustration on the right is an example of the structure of a typical Durlet.
Leather or fabric for every interior
You can choose from ve different types of top quality fullgrain leather for your Durlet, available in a range of colours:
- Elite: 1.3 mm waxed aniline leather.
- Velluto: 1,3 mm aniline leather.
- Polo: 2.2 mm semi-aniline leather.
- Basis: 1.5 mm semi-aniline leather.
- Nappa: 1.8 mm, lightly embossed, non-buffed semi-aniline leather.
- Royal: 1.3 mm, lightly embossed, non-buffed semi-aniline leather.
If you select a chair or sofa upholstered in fabric, you can choose from the wide range of Durlet fabrics, or you can supply your own. Different stitching is used for different Durlets. And for certain models you can choose the stitching you prefer.
