Tractor Factory - Jake Dunn Designs -

A tractor factory, in Crystal Palace? Seriously? Well, not exactly, but believe it or not, until quite recently, No.69 Church Road was the location of a company which bought and sold farm machinery. I always wondered what the story behind this was, as it just seemed so improbable. Apparently they used to buy up old tractors and recondition them, for sale to farmers in developing countries. And it wasn't the only unusual shop in the area. As someone reminded me, there's somewhere else along Church Road selling old shop tills, and does anyone have any idea what exactly Dohm Industries on Gipsy Hill makes or sells? Something to do with scientific instruments I believe.
Anyway, since 2013, the former tractor shop has been home to Jake Dunn Designs. You can't fail to have noticed the colourful window displays, which currently feature, three oversized, spray painted skulls, and a couple of chickens. So although Jake is predominantly a carpenter and furniture maker, it comes as no surprise that among other things, he used to design and builds sets, for stage and traveling trade fairs. Originally from the beautiful Antrim coast in Northern Ireland, Jake spent many years working in California, before landing in Southeast London nearly a decade ago. Beyond the random skulls, chickens, an old Sinclair C5, and a pair of slot machines, the space displays Jake's colourful furniture designs, from stools, side tables and coat racks, right up to built in shelving, cupboards, and a DJ station. The shop is the outward manifestation of Jake's creative mind, brimming with ideas and inspiration, mixing his own creations with stuff he picks up here and there. Just talking to him, you get a sense of someone with boundless energy and enthusiasm for what he does, and someone contented with life above the shop, on the edge of the Triangle, with his workshop out the back and its views across Kent. Having said that however, as we are talking, I become aware of one fly in the ointment. Jake is understandably concerned by the huge trucks which squeeze along this narrow stretch of the Triangle. In the past, he has tried to take matters into his own hands, putting up a 20mph speed limit sign outside the building, but naturally the authorities took a dim view. But it seems that it may not be a truck that takes out this corner, but rather, yet another new development of flats. I feel sure however, that should that happen, Jake will quickly find a new outlet for his creativity.

 

Jake with some of his smaller creations

Impressed with Jake's work, I commissioned him recently to make a radiator cover for the hall in my flat. I was really pleased with the result. As well as hiding a fairly unsightly storage heater, it also provided much needed storage for shoes.

Tractor Factory

69 Church Road

020 8771 2435

jakedunndesigns@gmail.com

Revisits

Two of my favourite Triangle institutions recently asked me back to take new pics for their new websites. Here are some of the results.

Joanna's

Do South

New websites: Joanna's 
                           Do South

Belle Coco

We all love a good moan about health and safety rules and regulations, but occasionally there is a positive aspect to them. All the chairs and sofas in Belle Coco have had to be re-upholstered to meet current requirements, as back in the 60s & 70s when they were made, they were routinely stuffed with highly flammable and toxic foam. Re-covered in period textiles, they should last until they are antique rather than merely retro. Such is the demand, that shop owners, Helen & Ains have had to take on an upholsterer, and open a workshop space across the road for all their restoration work. It's well earned success for a couple who have worked long and hard in the industry. Years spent buying and selling at the big markets such as Ardingly, Newark & Swinderby were good grounding, but eventually took their toll. Helen recounts how after one particular sub-zero night spent in a camper van, they decided it was time to stop the itinerant lifestyle, and set up shop. After stints on Anerley Road and subsequently, Haynes Lane, the couple opened at 40 Church Road about 18 months ago.

Strangely, for Ains it wasn't the first time running a business from that address. In one of his many previous careers, he ran a computer training business from the very same shop. Other career highlights include being Eric & Julia Morley's official photographer in the days they were running Miss World, and  working behind the scenes in film and TV, as cameraman, news editor and special effects maker for Top of the Pops. Meanwhile Helen worked in equally wide-ranging industries from graphic design to hairdressing.

While I was in the shop taking these pictures, I was reflecting on how design from that era is rather like marmite. You either love it or loathe it, with very little in between. I know, for example that my aunt, and many of her generation absolutely detest it, having lived with it all the first time round. My ageist assumptions were however knocked firmly on the head, when a stylish elderly woman came into the shop and promptly bought a space-age spherical TV. 

Whatever your views, I defy anyone to walk into the shop and not break into a smile, whether from some memory triggered by eccentric light fittings, or the sound of the R Whites lemonade TV commercial playing in the background.

Perhaps the strangest item I spotted was this multi purpose occasional table/planter/trellis/light fitting. Now who came up with that?

So popular has mid-century furniture become locally, that we might soon refer to the area as The Retroangle!

Belle Coco

40 Church Road

02000 111715