Why Neptune
Our Story
It starts with a hammock
Friends John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman set up a business selling hammocks. In their first year, they sell over 5,500 hammocks, taking even them by surprise.
A garden furniture business grows
John and Giles design a rocking deckchair, and then expand into garden furniture. They travel to exhibitions across the UK and Europe, often camping to save money.
A sketch by Emma Sims-Hilditch, John's wife and Neptune's creative founder, becomes the first magazine advertisement for Neptune.
A move inside
The garden furniture business is successful but seasonal. John and Giles decide to expand their knowledge into tables and chairs for the interior.
The kitchen journey begins
Searching for a crafted kitchen at an affordable price, John designs a collection of freestanding cabinets. This is the beginning of Neptune's innovative approach to kitchen design, and what becomes the Chichester collection. That first kitchen remains in the family home to this day.
A painterly palette
A paint collection is needed to support the growing painted kitchen business. The first shade is Limestone, followed by Honed Slate. Today, there is a signature collection of 28 natural shades which sit alongside seasonal shades.
A focus on simple lines
Following the success of the first kitchen design, Neptune launches the pared back, Shaker-inspired Suffolk kitchen collection.
Branching out
As customers regularly enquire about the accessories they see in Neptune photography, John and Giles decide to launch a homeware collection, starting with lighting and accessories and working with partners across Europe.
In praise of oak
The understated Henley kitchen launches, offering customers the chance to have exposed oak cabinetry or a mix of painted and oak cabinets.
“A wooden table contains the story of its journey as a living thing. We need to protect the surface, but we need to connect with the beauty of the wood as well. It's why we devised our IsoGuard finish.”
Turning to upholstery
The success of the accessories and lighting collection propels John and Giles to launch a full home collection, starting with the Charlotte sofa and Sophie and Amelia armchairs.
Stepping into stores
The first Neptune store opens in Winchester, in a renovated Victorian pub, featuring the full kitchen and home collections. Setting the stage for Neptune stores to come, it is designed to feel more like a home than a store.
Big plans ahead
From a Chippenham barn, Neptune moves into a new HQ in Wiltshire, which includes a showroom, café, offices, workshops, shoot studio and distribution facility.
The first European store opens in Berlin, Germany.
Building with love and care
Taking full control of end-to-end production to ensure optimum quality, Neptune opens a state-of-the-art production house in Qingdao, northern China.
“we want to move in”
Neptune’s first major press launch, where a London art gallery is transformed into a Neptune home, is met with critical acclaim.
Stories magazine launches and sets a new benchmark for brand publishing.
Introducing interiors expertise
The Home Design Service launches providing customers with expert interior design project management.
The revolutionary Chawton cabinet launches
New horizons
Neptune redevelops the historic Tram Yard in Bath, building a flagship store and The Provenist cafe, and refurbishing ten luxury apartments, creating a complete Neptune complex.
Personalised colour advice
Following the popularity of the Design Service, the Colour Consultancy launches, helping customers create the perfect colour palettes for their homes.