Independent Cambridge: function and form

Cambridge boasts a fantastic range of independent traders, but many residents - let alone visitors - are unaware of what's available right on our doorstep. The publishers of Independent Cambridge, a book which celebrates these businesses, highlight a selection of these 'indies' here. This week: style and practicality meet at Providence.

“Have nothing in your homes that you do not know to be useful and believe to be beautiful.” This quote by William Morris very neatly sums up all that you will find on a visit to Providence.

Located on the corner of Bridge Street and All Saints Passage, the shop with its lovely, large windows, contains two floors of beautiful, as well as practical, Colonial influenced furniture and other finishing items for the home. Almost 20 years ago, Providence started out as cabinetmakers – producing pieces in oak and pine including freestanding kitchen dressers, larder cupboards and wardrobes. To finish the furniture in the Shaker style, owners Kathy and Tim Ritchie developed their own Providence Paint and, as part of their original shop at Burwash Manor, were also one of the first places in Cambridge to stock paints from the Farrow and Ball range.

As well as the larger pieces of furniture, Providence also houses a selection of Shaker rails, shelves, cabinet hardware and traditional braided rugs. Complementing all this perfectly is an allsorts mixture of equally functional yet cleverly-designed home accessories – from brooms to baskets.

So, returning to the opening quote – why have an everyday potato masher when you can have one in the shape of a daisy from the sculptural Wildflower range by Bojje? Or why use a dreary duster when you can be cleaning the cobwebs away with one fashioned from ostrich feathers? As you can see, along with functionality, Providence combines stylish forms with a dash of vintage, a splash of colour and a great sense of fun.



Providence
73 Bridge Street
Cambridge
CB2 1UR
Tel: +44 (0)1223 506556
E: providenceuk@btconnect.com
W: www.providenceuk.com


*******

Find out more by visiting the Independent Cambridge website:www.independent-cambridge.co.uk/ 

_____________________________________________________



Looking for something specific?