As Bradfords celebrates its 73rd birthday this Labour Weekend, we're looking back at the furniture, trends and everyday moments that have shaped life at home since 1953. Join us in celebrating with at least 20% off storewide this long weekend.
It feels quite fitting to celebrate our birthday over Labour Weekend. After all, the holiday itself is rooted in the idea that life should be about more than work.
Back in 1840, a Wellington carpenter named Samuel Parnell famously insisted on an eight-hour working day, helping establish a movement that would eventually give New Zealanders the Labour Day holiday we enjoy today. The first Labour Day celebrations took place in 1890, and by 1900 it had become a public holiday.
More than a century later, that idea of making time for life outside work feels just as relevant as it did back then. Whether it's a long lunch around the dining table, an afternoon spent in the garden or an entire day doing very little on the sofa, home is where much of that precious time is spent.
When Bradfords first opened its doors in 1953, New Zealand was a very different place. Furniture was often bought with the expectation that it would last a lifetime, the lounge was somewhere you entertained visitors, and the kitchen table was the centre of everyday family life.
Seventy-three years later, our homes look remarkably different, but many of the things we love about them have stayed the same.
When Bradfords opened its doors in 1953, New Zealand families were furnishing homes with practical pieces designed to last. Formica-topped kitchen tables, chrome-legged chairs and space-saving dining settings were everyday essentials, while the lounge, often called the 'good room', was reserved for entertaining visitors.
That began to change when television arrived in 1960. Sofas and armchairs gradually turned towards the screen, coffee tables became permanent fixtures, and the lounge evolved into somewhere the whole family could enjoy.
Mid-century design also introduced lighter timber furniture, tapered legs and beautifully simple forms, establishing an aesthetic that continues to influence contemporary interiors.
The 1970s brought a more relaxed approach to living, with earthy browns, burnt oranges, avocado greens and an enthusiasm for natural materials. Solid timber furniture, cane chairs, shaggy rugs and generous sofas created welcoming interiors, while dining tables increasingly became places for informal gatherings rather than formal occasions.
By the 1980s, interiors had developed a more confident personality. Glass dining tables, polished surfaces, bold patterns and substantial leather lounge suites reflected an appetite for statement furniture, while entertainment units expanded to accommodate televisions, stereos and video recorders.
Although the two decades had distinctly different personalities, both helped establish the idea that furniture could be expressive as well as practical. Today, we're seeing a renewed appreciation for their warm timbers, brown leathers and distinctive designs.
As New Zealand's café culture grew throughout the 1990s, entertaining at home became increasingly informal. Dining tables accommodated everything from weekend brunches to homework, while generous sofas, comfortable armchairs and less coordinated furniture arrangements made living spaces feel more personal.
The 2000s took this relaxed approach a step further, with open-plan homes bringing kitchens, dining areas and lounges together. Large dining tables and modular sofas helped define shared spaces, while sliding doors connected interiors with decks and patios, making indoor-outdoor entertaining an increasingly important part of New Zealand life.
The arrival of Pinterest, Instagram and endless online inspiration changed the way New Zealanders approached interiors during the 2010s. Scandinavian simplicity, industrial influences and natural materials all found their place, while perfectly coordinated furniture suites gave way to more individual combinations.
The beginning of the 2020s brought another significant shift, as dining tables became desks, spare bedrooms became offices, and living rooms needed to accommodate more of everyday life.
Comfort, flexibility and quality have become increasingly important, alongside a renewed appreciation for warm textures, natural materials and pieces that will stand the test of time.
After seven decades of changing trends, perhaps the biggest development is that our homes have become more personal than ever, reflecting not simply how we want them to look, but how we actually live.
From Formica kitchen tables and formal sitting rooms to open-plan living and modular sofas, our homes have evolved considerably since Bradfords first opened in 1953.
But one thing hasn't changed. Great furniture is about more than how it looks. It's about Sunday lunches, family celebrations, unexpected visitors and quiet evenings at home.
As we celebrate 73 years of helping New Zealanders create homes they love, we're marking the occasion with at least 20% off storewide this Labour Weekend, across our collection of furniture and accessories. We'd love you to join us at our Greenlane showroom, explore the collection in person and find something new to bring home.
From the "good room" and Formica tables to open-plan living and oversized sofas, the way New Zealanders furnish their homes has changed considerably over the past seven decades.
Cold in winter, sticky in summer and far too precious for real life, Leather has been the subject of a few unfair rumours over the years, and we believe it is time to put them to rest.
