Handmade with passion: BIELEFELDER WERKSTÄTTEN

While an expert’s trained eye can spot the hidden qualities straight away, many of the outstanding quality features remain invisible to the normal observer. But there are some things anyone can see: the classic design language, timeless elegance and stylistic confidence that are the hallmarks of every model produced by Bielefelder Werkstätten, or BW for short. The company has been making upholstered furniture in a class of its own at its Bielefeld site since 1956 and has always regarded itself as a manufacturer in the sense of the word’s origin: a maker of handmade goods. “No machine can match the degree of accuracy our work requires – it can only be done by hand,” says works manager Meinolf Helmig with obvious pride.

Besides its strikingly confident design, there’s something else that sets Bielefelder Werkstätten apart: the wide variety of exclusive fabrics and premium leathers it uses for its furniture. That’s hardly surprising in view of the fact that BW is part of the JAB Anstoetz Group, which includes brands like Chivasso, Gardisette, Golfhouse and of course JAB Anstoetz. With a workforce of 1,300, the company numbers among the global players in the interiors and furniture sector.

This heritage is obvious as soon as you see and touch the beautiful upholstered furniture, armchairs and recliners. Everything is made exclusively by highly qualified craftsmen who combine skills that have been passed on from one generation to another with a passion for detail. A great many steps are required before models like Polo or Inspiration can show off their charms. The fabric experts ensure the materials are cut with meticulous precision, the grain is perfectly aligned and the custom-sewn fabric is accurately fixed in place with hundreds of tiny nails. This time-honoured craftsmanship gives rise to fascinating products that are highly valued by customers. The passionate care the Bielefeld craftsmen bring to their work produces results with an extremely sensuous look and feel: finely sculpted forms and well-balanced proportions, precision right down to the smallest detail. Developed in collaboration with renowned designers, the style is always characterised by a timeless aesthetic. And while creatives like Andreas Weber, Georg Appeltshauser or Schnabel/Schneider might pursue very different approaches, a contemporary interpretation of traditional forms is central to all their designs.

Because it takes more than premium upholstered furniture to create exquisitely designed living spaces, Bielefelder Werkstätten now also offers sophisticated furnishing concepts with tables, lamps and dining sets designed to complement the BW sofas and armchairs. The result: nuanced, harmonious interior concepts that are made to last and retain their value.

Photos: Bielefelder Werkstätten, Heiner Köpcke (portrait)

BW Bielefelder Werkstätten
Heinz Anstoetz Polstermöbelfabrik KG
Potsdamer Strasse 180
33719 Bielefeld
Tel.: +49 (0) 521 924 27 0