This year we have seen Solidwool go from strength to strength, and with the current Hembury, we have a chair that celebrates the beauty of the iconic Herdwick sheep. The dedication and importance of using unwanted wool in our composite led us to look at other breeds that, like the Herdwick, we could use and turn their fleece into a beautiful new addition to Solidwool.
This meant that once again we began to experiment, to find a fleece that would, and could work in Solidwool. After many discussions and research we came across the wool from the Welsh Mountain sheep. One of the oldest breeds of sheep in the world, the Welsh Mountain is used as a blanket term describing many breeds indigenous to Wales, with references even found in literature dating back to the 14th Century. Extremely hardy, like the Herdwick, they live in the same open valleys and rugged hillsides of Wales today as they did centuries ago.
When it comes to their fleece this is where we see huge opportunity. Lambs are mostly born white, with a few black - the only true black sheep found natively to the UK. Around a century ago, Welsh shepherds decided to breed from these black sheep, creating the Black Welsh Mountain. When fully grown, the fleece of both the white and black Welsh Mountain sheep are thick, close-textured and coarse, protecting them from the harsh and wet environment in the remote landscapes of rural Wales.
After trials and experiments we found a way we could use these beautiful fleece in Solidwool, deciding that a new Hembury Chair and Side Table would be the perfect designs in which to show off the black and white fibres of Welsh Mountain sheep. Combined with our bio-resin, the intricate labyrinth of both fleeces is revealed, with the wiry wool creating a unique layering of textures and tones. The white fleece, with its multicoloured grey and brown kemp, reveals a distinctive veining throughout the composite. Combined with the black fleece, this creates a unique and visually striking marbled effect which, needless to say, we are delighted with.
With its neutral tones, our new Welsh Mountain Hembury Chair and Side Table sits beautifully alongside our Herdwick version, together a testimony to the beauty that can be found in hardy British Wool. Both composites reveal the textures and organic tones of their fleece, in the unique way only found in Solidwool.
We look forward to sharing more updates on our upcoming product developments, so stay in the loop with our latest news by following us on Instagram, or sign up to our mailing list. You can now discover the new Welsh Mountain Solidwool Hembury Chair and Side Table on our website.
