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.
$8,400
Inlaid Center Table
By David Linley
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Unusual center table crafted in mahogany and walnut veneer with an octagon form top having a sunburst grain design with a floral border inlaid with Macassar ebony, satinwood, sycamor...
Burlap, Ebony, Sycamore, Walnut
8 PERSON DAVID LINLEY INLAID SPORTS DiNING TABLE FOOTBALL TENNIS ETC
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning perfect condition David Linley boardroom or dining table to seat eight people RRP £65,000+ Pl...
Wood
STUNNiNG VINTAGE 1994 DAVID LINLEY BURR WALNUT AMBOYNA WOOD LARGE CONSOLE TABLE
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning David Linley fully restored Burr Walnut and Amboyna wood console table RRP £15,000 ...
Walnut
VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY SYCAMORE WALNUT WiTH CHROME COFFEE TABLE
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime designer Viscount David Linley Walnut, Sycamore wood coffee table with polished chrome plaque. ...
Chrome
DAVID LINLEY FOR GARY BARLOW SYCAMORE DiNING TABLE ORIGINAL WATERCOLOUR PAINTING
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, original Viscount David Linley dining table with the original, very rare watercolo...
Sycamore
PAIR OF VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY BURR WALNUT HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TABLEs
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of stunning original Viscount David Linley, Burr Walnut with Satinwood side end tables that are height adjustable and part of a large 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...
Satinwood, Walnut
VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY CLASSIC COFEE TABLE FOR LiGHT RESTORATION
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime designer Viscount David Linley Walnut, Sycamore wood coffee table which needs some restoration ...
Sycamore, Walnut
CUSTOM MADE VISCOUNT DAVID LiNLEY COFFEE TABLE POOL / SNOOKER TOP
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this sublime designer Viscount David Linley Walnut, Sycamore wood coffee table stamped Linley 1998 RRP £14,5...
Satinwood
Matching Pair of David Linley 1993 Stamped Burr Walnut Console Tables 2
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning pair of David Linley burr walnut ebony and American black walnut console tables ...
Walnut
David Linley Newlyn Sycamore Wood and Marble Hayrake Dining Table
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 Hayrake Dining table RRP £14,500 A very good looking and well made table, the marble insert is great for resting very hot and cold plates on, as apposed to the timber it won’t mark. This table is based on the Hayrake tables...
Marble
Chrome Ring Coffee Table
By Milo Baughman
Located in Atlanta, GA
Chrome ring coffee table, in the manner of Milo Baughman, circa 1960s.
Chrome
$941
H 29.53 in Dm 41.74 in
Antique Dining Table Made In Mahogany With Inlaid Wood & Leather From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique dining table in mahogany with inlaid wood and leather, from the 1920s.
Leather, Mahogany
Vintage Elm Wood Console Table
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Vintage antique elm wood console table Beautiful antique patina, with weathering and age, these are solid and sturdy ready for daily use, use as a entry table, sofa table or console ...
Elm
$5,328
H 17.72 in W 47.25 in D 23.63 in
Isamu Kenmochi Coffee Table Chromed Metal and Japanese Walnut, 1969
By Tendo Mokko, Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Santa Gertrudis, Baleares
Isamu Kenmochi (1912-1971) was a Japanese modernist designer significant in the development of Japanese design after WW2. Rare coffee table Chromed metal...
Metal
Vintage Elm Wood Console Table 77.5"
By Bloom Home Inc
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
vintage elm wood console table. Crafted from authentic elm wood, this console table boasts a beautiful original natural wood patina that adds character and charm to any room. Embraci...
Elm
Midcentury Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round glass top coffee table with polished base made of chrome rings. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - with dealer).
Chrome
Louis XV Style Extensively Inlaid Marquetry Center Table
Located in Montreal, QC
Louis XV Style Napoleon III period extensively inlaid marquetry center table in walnut, boxwood and ebonized pearwood and sycomore fitted with gilt bronze mounts and central hidden ...
Walnut
Specimen Marble Inlaid Table Top
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Specimen Marble Inlaid Table Top Rectangular, with varied marbles inlaid to create an overall geometric pattern. 59 by 20 in. Depth 1 in. Condition Report 0ne inch piece missing fro...
Marble
$3,500
H 29.75 in W 51.75 in D 29 in
Antique Carved Victorian Inlaid Marquetry Center Table Attr to Pottier & Stymus
By Pottier & Stymus
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This antique Victorian center table, attributed to the renowned New York cabinetmakers Pottier & Stymus, showcases the extraordinary artistry and refinement of late 19th century Amer...
Bronze
$2,100Sale Price|30% Off
H 27.5 in W 36 in D 36 in
Antique German Biedermeier Mahogany Inlaid Round Center Pedestal Table 36"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique early 19th century German Biedermeier period mahogany centre / breakfast table featuring round form with inlaid fruitwood design supported by a turned and carved column on t...
Mahogany
Large Chrome Coffee Table
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This large coffee table is made of chrome with two glass shelves. The top glass is beveled all arround the glass. This is a French work. Circa 1970
Chrome
Antique Rustic Stripped Sycamore Trestle Dining Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Rustic Stripped Sycamore Trestle Dining Table was literally designed to last for centuries! Hand-crafted from thick, solid planks of old-growth sycamore, it features a top s...
Sycamore
Sold
H 19.89 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
STUNNiNG PAIR OF DAVID LINLEY BURR WALNUT HEIGHT ADJUSTABLE TABLES
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this pair of stunning original Viscount David Linley, Burr Walnut with Satinwood side end tables that are height adjustable and part of a large 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...
Satinwood, Walnut
Sold
H 23.82 in W 19.69 in D 19.69 in
VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY BURR WALNUT BEDSIDE LAMP WINE TABLE PART SUiTE
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original Viscount David Linley, Burr Walnut with Satinwood bedside, side end table with single drawer which is part of a large 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 This is as mentioned part of a large office suite, I have in total the rather stunning desk, leather desk chair, pair of tall library...
Satinwood, Walnut
Bespoke Riviera Desk and Riviera Desk Chair
By David Linley
Located in London, GB
Bespoke Riviera desk in Crown cut Anigre, quarter cut Anigre and Walnut with nickel plated metal detail featuring a blue leather desk blotter. Rivier...
Wood
David Linley Custom Commission Round to Oval Extending Dining Table
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite RRP £35,995 David Linley huge extending dining table complete with original technical drawers and documentation from Linley, made in...
Amboyna
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 13.78 in W 51.19 in D 31.5 in
Viscount David Linley Sycamore Walnut with Chrome Inlay Coffee Table
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this sublime designer Viscount David Linley Walnut, Sycamore wood coffee table with polished chrome inlay A very good looking decorative coffee table, wi...
Sycamore, Walnut
Alba Coffee Table
By David Linley
Located in London, GB
The coffee table is created with mango veneers, grey figured sycamore and antique brass. The twisting tabletop, featuring a textured metal detail, has built in storage for a corkscre...
Sycamore
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 32 in W 78 in D 20 in
David Linley British Mid-Century Modern Marble-Top Satinwood Console Table
By David Linley
Located in Essex, MA
David Linley, British (B. 1961) Mid-Century Modern satinwood and ebonized console table with marble top, carved and fluted apron and matching fluted tapered legs. Measures: 32" H x 7...
Marble
Sold
H 15.75 in W 55.12 in D 31.5 in
Stunning Original David Linley Burr Walnut Large Coffee Cocktail Table
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning burr walnut David Linley Classic coffee table RRP £5500 A good looking well made and decorative vintage Linely table, twice stampe...
Walnut
Sold
H 31.11 in W 43.31 in D 21.86 in
Pair of David Linley Fold Out Console Demi Lune Tea Tables Walnut
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime pair of RRP £48,000 David Linley demilune fold out tea or games tables in burr walnut with silver plated inlaid metal These are absolutely sublime quality, they are simply the finest tables I have ever handled, the quality is mind blowing These are not off the shelf pieces but custom made to order with a current confirmed price tag of £24,000 per table These were purchased by the then richest women in England, for a rather splendid Chelsea mansion house, the home was set up for visiting friends and family to have somewhere to stay when in London, it was used maybe four times in twenty years, as such the property has now been sold The tables are of course demi lune console tables however with the addition of the fold over top they become occasional tea tables...
Silver Plate
Sold
H 20.08 in W 31.5 in D 19.69 in
Vintage David Linley Signed 1995 Walnut & Sycamore Wood Side Table with Drawers
By David Linley
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to this stunning vintage walnut and Sycamore wood side table with drawers stamped David Linley, 1995 An exceptionally...
Sycamore, Walnut