The Background

Trowell Garden Centre, located on the border of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, is a beloved destination that has been voted the number one garden centre in the country by Nottinghamshire Live readers. Alongside its renowned plant selection and homeware, the centre boasts the popular Digg Café, which serves a variety of teas, cakes, and hot food.

To enhance customer experience, the owners saw an opportunity to introduce an additional hospitality space with a more relaxed yet refined atmosphere. This new space, Fig & Fern Coffee Lounge and Bar, would offer a premium selection of pastries, cakes, and charcuterie boards. Designed in a greenhouse style, the new café features a metal roof and expansive windows that flood the space with natural light, creating a bright and inviting environment.

The Task

The team from Trowell Garden Centre visited our Nottingham showroom in 2024 with a floor plan and a vision. They wanted the interior to reflect the name 'Fig & Fern', incorporating natural tones and a garden-inspired aesthetic. Planters filled with lush ferns were to be a key design element, so the furniture and upholstery needed to harmonise with this theme.

With seating for 98 covers, the layout needed to cater to multiple areas:

- A lounge seating area for relaxed coffee catch-ups

- Two and four-seater dining tables for individual customers and small groups

- A larger party area for gatherings

- A bar-height seating area overlooking the outdoor garden

Following the showroom visit, we conducted a site visit to measure up for fixed seating and ensure a perfect fit.

 

 

The Work

Once the models and fabrics were chosen, the Contract Furniture Group team began manufacturing and upholstering the furniture in pale greens, mustards, and leafy patterned fabrics, designed to echo the natural elements throughout the café.

The Dining Areas

With a combination of freestanding tables and a fixed seating row along the back wall, the layout balanced flexibility with optimised space usage.

Charlotte Side Chairs – Luxurious yet durable, upholstered in Luxe Performance Willow fabric, combined with a leafy tropical-patterned woven linen fabric in Lemon to contrast with the green tones. This fabric was also used to create scatter cushions throughout the café, all made by our in-house Soft Furnishings team.

Fixed Seating – Running the full length of the café’s back wall, this fluted-back seating was upholstered in Luxe Performance Willow fabric, which is stain-resistant and waterproof – ideal for a busy café setting.

Tables – A mix of Durham Dining Height Table Bases with Brown Casella Oak laminate tops and Light Grey Candella Marble, adding variety to the textures within the space. Laminate tops are perfect for high-traffic areas due to their durability and easy maintenance.

 

The Lounge Area

Wing 2 Seater Sofas – Stylish and comfortable, upholstered in a thyme-coloured velvet with an Avola Grey leg finish, creating a natural, earthy feel.

Wes Lounge Chairs – Plush carver chairs matching the Charlotte Side Chairs in upholstery.

Coffee Tables – Profile twin coffee-height table bases paired with Brown Casella Oak laminate tops, complementing the organic tones in the space.

The Large Party Area

While many of our tables are stocked in standard sizes, we also provide bespoke solutions. For Fig & Fern, we custom-made a 2700mm x 900mm laminate Brown Casella Oak table on two large Durham bases, paired with Charlotte Side Chairs and Wes Lounge Chairs for a cohesive look.

The Bar-Height Seating Area

Charlotte High Chairs - To match the side chairs used throughout the café.

Custom 4000mm x 450mm laminate table top - Designed as a long, narrow poseur-height table to run along the back window, supported by Durham poseur-height bases.

 

 

The Result

The final transformation of Fig & Fern Coffee Lounge is nothing short of stunning. The light and airy space seamlessly blends stylish design with practical hospitality needs. Contract Furniture Group worked closely with the client from concept to installation, ensuring that every detail – from the fabrics to the table finishes – reflected their vision.

The café officially opened on March 10th, receiving fantastic feedback from customers. Not only does it offer a fresh new experience within Trowell Garden Centre, but it also provides an opportunity to host more events and attract new visitors.

Looking to transform your venue? Contact our team today to bring your vision to life with bespoke furniture solutions!