Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young Linley founder, David Linley, made a decorative box as a teenager — a project he’d crafted at Bedales School that impressed his teacher — it was proudly passed around as a cigar box at parties by the Queen Mother. Of course, the royal treatment makes a bit more sense when you consider that the Queen was simply grandmother to the future furniture designer Linley, formally David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, second earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Born in London, Linley was creative from an early age — a characteristic eagerly encouraged at home with his parents and at Kensington Palace with the extended family. After completing his studies in carpentry and design at Parnham House in 1982, Linley set up his first studio. Within three years he had moved to King’s Road in Chelsea and, with his friend painter and designer Matthew Rice, officially cofounded Linley, a source for luxury furniture and accessories and bespoke carpentry and millwork.
The brand was a quick success. When Linley presented its first line at Christie’s in 1985 — a collection of furniture and more called “Venetian,” which was inspired by the Italian city’s grandiose Gothic architecture — the entire lot sold out on the day of its presentation. Besides Linley the brand being a commercial success, Linley the founder was somewhat of a marvel: At the time, the designer was the first of the royal family to undertake any sort of vocational work, let alone establish their own brand.
David Linley’s furniture has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. His tables, seating, other furnishings and decorative objects owe consistently to traditional methods and conventions as often as they do clean modernity. The designer has long looked to Chippendale furniture as well as other styles that gained prominence during the 18th century as much as he has toward the future.
Now, in addition to its furniture, accessories and custom millwork, Linley operates an interior design business, outfitting homes (and a few cars and yachts) in the brand’s singularly chic style. And while the company’s output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of David Linley furniture on 1stDibs.
DAVID LINLEY BURR WALNUT CLASSIC PEDESTAL DESK FOR LiGHT RESTORATION
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made in England Viscount David Linley Classic Pedestal desk RRP £25,500 Please note the ...
Walnut
David Linley English Cherry Maple & Burr-ash Three Drawer Writing Desk
By David Linley
Located in Queens, NY
English Contemporary cherry, maple, and burr-ash writing desk having banded inlaid trim witth a diamond design top overthree drawers resting on tapere...
Maple
Very Fine English Walnut and Ebony Pedestal Desk by David Linley
By David Linley
Located in Shippensburg, PA
DAVID LINLEY United Kingdom, b. 1961 Blonde Walnut Green-Leather Double Pedestal Writing Desk A custom design Walnut veneers, ebony inlay and knobs, oak secondary woods, green leat...
Leather, Ebony, Oak, Walnut
PAiR OF DAVID LINLEY CHELSEA SATINWOOD MACASSAR EBONY SIDEBOARD TV MEDIA UNIT
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite pair of Viscount David Linley Satinwood & Macassar Ebony sideboards designed to se...
Ebony, Satinwood
DAVIND LINLEY STYLE SATiNWOOD WALNUT & HARDWOOD LIBRARY BOOKCASE CUPBOARD BASe
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this exquisite hand made in England, Satinwood, Walnut & Rosewood library bookcase in the David Linley taste...
Glass, Hardwood, Satinwood, Walnut
UNIQUE EXQUISITE VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY ROMAN LOOKiNG SYCAMORE CHEST OF DRAWERS
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite original Viscount David Linley very large chest of drawers custom made for Gary Ba...
Oak, Sycamore
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
By David Linley
Located in Brussels, BE
Double Body Cupboard by David Linley
Wood
English Walnut Burl Three-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
Created for us by an English cabinetmaker with whom we have been associated for over 30 years, this walnut writing desk has Classic lines that would blend well in a modern setting. I...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
English Walnut Burl Two-Drawer Writing Table
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two-drawer walnut writing desk is made for us by our English cabinetmaker. Using time-honored techniques, this table is created in just the same fashion as it would have been 20...
Leather, Walnut, Burl
USM Haller Media Unit Sideboard - Olive Green
By Usm Haller
Located in London, GB
USM Haller Media Unit Sideboard – Olive Green Powder-coated steel panels, chromed steel frame H57 x W152 x D37 cm Switzerland, 1990s (10205) A highly functional and architecturally p...
Steel
English Mahogany Leather Top Writing Desk, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany two-drawer leather top writing desk with carved molded edge, original brasses and terminating on chamfered tapered legs, Late 18th century. Desk is finished on all ...
art deco chest of drawers chest of drawers 1940s
Located in Lemmer, NL
art deco chest of drawers chest of drawers 1940s period 1940-1949 design unknown condition good light signs of use size 88 x 45 x 34 (hxwxd) details oak; iron; article n...
Oak
English Mahogany Pedestal Desk
Located in Woodbury, CT
This Georgian styled desk with raised panel sides and three-piece leather top with gilded tooling is generously sized without being overly dramatic. At 60” by 36”, there is enough su...
Leather, Mahogany
Burr Walnut Davenport Desk Victorian 1880
Located in Potters Bar, GB
You are viewing a gorgeous Victorian Davenport in burr walnut Such a lovely look to this elegant desk, the patina to the walnut is gorgeous Drawer opens out to reveal writing slope and slots for pens and ink Writing surface finished in tooled leather with gilt embossed edging Further storage with the top cabinet with many drawers...
Walnut
$1,900Sale Price|30% Off
H 33.47 in W 22.05 in D 22.45 in
Victorian Burr Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk - C. 1870
Located in Wisbech, England
Presenting an exquisite Victorian Burr and Figured Walnut Davenport Writing Table Desk dating back to approximately 1870. This charming piece exudes age and character, making it a ra...
Walnut
English Walnut Pedestal Desk
Located in Woodbury, CT
A three-piece, tan leather surface with tooling and gilding is the starting point for this three part pedestal desk in walnut burl. Classic touches abound in the appearance and const...
Leather, Walnut
Exquisite Hand-Painted 19th Century Chest of Drawers from Europe
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Central European chest, with its original decorative paint, from the 19th century. This antique chest of drawers from Europe is beautifully adorned in its original hand-painted art...
Wood
$5,375
H 30.12 in W 48.04 in D 23.63 in
Antique 1850 Renaissance Revival Burr Walnut Pugin Gothic Writing Table Desk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this stunning Renaissance Revival circa 1850 burr walnut writing table after Pugin What a piece! This writing table or desk is stunning, it offers huge amo...
Walnut
English Oak Library Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Good quality 19th century English oak library bookcase. 1870. Adjustable shelving on top and bottom. Upper shelf depth: 6.5-inches Base shelf depth: 1...
Oak
Sold
H 102.56 in W 37.01 in D 19.3 in
PAIR OF VERY LARGE 2.6 METER TALL BURR WALNUT DAVID LINLEY LIBRARY BOOKCASEs
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of very tall Viscount David Linley Burr Walnut library bookcases which are part of a suite Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. These are as mentioned part of a large office suite, I have in total the rather stunning desk, leather desk chair, pair of tall library...
Walnut
Sold
H 35.04 in W 45.48 in D 22.84 in
VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY CHELSEA SATINWOOD MACASSAR EBONY SIDEBOARD TV MEDiA UNIT
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite Viscount David Linley Satinwood & Macassar Ebony sideboard designed to seat a tele...
Ebony, Satinwood
Sold
H 28.94 in W 62.21 in D 28.55 in
Stunning David Linley Burr & Burl Walnut & Satin Wood Kidney Desk Writing Table
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite burr & burl walnut & satinwood kidney shaped writing table desk by David Linley This piece is solid burr walnut with s...
Walnut
Sold
H 26.38 in W 48.04 in D 30.71 in
Prototype Viscount David Linley Folding Desk and Chair in Satin Birch Art Modern
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning original prototype folding desk and chair from David Linley A very good looking and well made desk, in birch, very much the Art Mo...
Birch
Sold
H 24.81 in W 66.93 in D 18.12 in
Stunning David Linley Newlyn Sycamore Wood and Marble Sideboard Suite
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning perfect condition David Linley Newlyn collection solid sycamore wood with marble insert sideboard RRP £12,000 A very good looking ...
Marble