The Max factor

Wednesday August 12, 2009

Let there be light: Sharaz Karim is dwarfed by a huge adjustable lamp at Max Inc.

When you walk into Sharaz Karim's new store you could be forgiven for feeling a bit, well, small.

Gigantic versions of the traditional adjustable desk lamp tower above - one of the attractions of his Askew Road business Max Inc.

Sharaz, 42, manufactures the 'Max lamps', but much of his attention goes on lovingly restored retro treasures from the post-war era.

He opened the illuminating new shop, on July 22, after starting out as a stallholder at Camden Market, and he now runs a busy lamp renovation caroline butcher workshop inside his new Shepherds Bush outlet.

When he's not chatting with customers, he spends his days restoring and rewiring old lights as well making his massive lamps.

"Lighting has been an interest of mine that's developed over the years, and the giant lamps definitely catch people's eyes," he said.

But at £1,400, the oversize designs require an equally large wad of cash - as well as plenty of space to accommodate them at home.

"I wouldn't say they're the biggest seller here in the shop, but I sell them to the trade, so they go all over the world," Sharaz said.

He hand-picks most of his vintage treasures from markets and antique fairs, and reckons he has a keen eye for a bargain.

But Sharaz also believes demand for retro furnishings is beginning to outweigh supply.

"It's getting harder and harder to find these things," he said.

"There has been a big surge ofinterest in vintage lighting and furniture in the last 10 years and people are more aware of the manufacturers and designers from that period.

"The internet has also played a part - a lot of these items now end up on websites like eBay."

Most of the shop's items date from the 50s and 60s, and Sharaz prides himself on his impressive selection of spruced-up Anglepoise lamps, as well as a meticulously polished chrome Counterpoise trolley lamp. "Getting your lighting right is very important both for function and the way it makes a room look," he said.

"I'm not a big fan of fixed lighting, and when people have spotlights all over the place that's not something I particularly like.

"But you can light a room just with Anglepoise lamps and they don't have to be pointed directly - you can just bounce the light off the walls."

Max Inc also stocks an ever-changing array of Scandinavian furniture and refurbished armchairs, dining tables, shelving and cupboards.

"The furniture will change quite regularly because I never know what I'm going to stumble across next time I'm out," Sharaz said.

Other curiosities include a range of East German pharmacy bottles, a trolley from a ballet shoe factory, a child's tractor, an old cello case, a scientists' beaker and stand, old maps, parcel scales, vintage clocks and a stone Barclays Bank sign fromlived in Uxbridge Road for the past 15 years, said he hoped to be part of a renaissance for specialist shops along Askew Road.

"I stumbled across this shop and really liked the space, and it's going quite well so far - it's been very well received by the local people," he said.

"I think Askew Road is slowly changing. It's still got quite a few basic businesses like plumbing shops and quite a few cafes, but there are changes.

"There's a nice bakery next door that has built up a strong following and there are architects' offices nearby as well.

"Hopefully I can be part of the change around this area."

For more information on Max Inc's products and lighting renovation service, call Sharaz on 07973 121 879 or visit: www.maxinc.co.uk (opens new window).