Designed for living

A family-run Penzance furniture business combines heritage with practical expertise.

For more than two centuries, Alfred Smith & Son has been part of everyday life in Penzance, with the family-run furniture business tracing its origins to 1811. Originally established as Olver & Son, it has traded from its present Clarence Street premises since the building was completed in 1840. Alfred Smith joined the business in 1909 and bought it in 1912, beginning the family ownership that continues today.

Today, its 12,000-square-foot showrooms bring together furniture for bedrooms, dining rooms and living spaces, alongside curtains and soft furnishings. There is also a dedicated holiday-home furnishing service, reflecting the practical needs of properties used throughout the year.

Sleep remains a particular strength, with a substantial selection of mattresses and bedsteads available for immediate delivery. The team offers advice on choosing beds and mattresses, drawing on specialist knowledge built through generations of furniture retailing.

The soft-furnishings department extends that expertise into curtains and blinds, with a design studio offering both bespoke and ready-made options. The team can take a project from the initial discussion through to installation, making the service useful for anyone furnishing a single room or considering a larger scheme.

There is plenty to discover beyond the main furniture departments, too, with the business having expanded its offering to include toys, games, jigsaws, books and gifts. Its online store now carries more than 2,000 items, bringing another part of the family business to customers beyond the showroom.

For a company that has traded through three centuries, staying current remains central to its appeal. Alfred Smith & Son continues to combine knowledgeable service with the pleasure of seeing, touching and trying things before making them part of your home.

01736 363134
www.alfred-smith.co.uk