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.
STUNNiNG VISCOUNT DAVID LINLEY 1993 STAMPED BURR WALNUT 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 Burr Walnut Bbony and American Black Walnut console table RRP £12,000....
Walnut
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
$7,867 / set
H 30.32 in W 34.65 in D 17.52 in
Outstanding Quality Pair of Antique Burr Walnut Marquetry Inlaid Console Tables
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality pair of antique Victorian burr walnut marquetry inlaid console tables having an outstanding quality marquetry inlaid burr walnut top with a moulded edge standing...
Walnut
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
Large Solid Wood Walnut Console Table with Six Drawers
Located in Miami, FL
Large Solid Wood Walnut Console Table with Six Drawers The piece is in original condition but someone adds three holes in the top. We could to restore the piece and hide the holes i...
Walnut
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
$4,800
H 26.75 in W 72 in D 18 in
Stunning Console Table Attributed to Gio Ponti, Walnut and Marble, 1950s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning Console Table. Solid walnut base with marble top. Excellent craftsmanship.
Marble
$3,475
H 28.25 in W 41.75 in D 20.5 in
Fine Antique English Burr Walnut Console or Library Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
A Terrific mid 19th century Antique English burr walnut Library Table or Console Table (or Side Table!) with exceptional barley twist legs that support the top terminating in a lovel...
Walnut, Burl
Henredon Walnut Console Table
By Henredon
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Henredon Walnut Console Table This console table measures: 48 wide x 17 deep x 34.25 inches high, with a chair clearance of 31 inches ABOUT PHOTOS: W...
Walnut
Modern Walnut Console Table
Located in North York, ON
Modern walnut console table. Simplistic modern design with beautiful walnut wood grain patterns. Finished in a medium dark walnut color with a satin lacquered sheen. Made in the USA,...
Walnut
Vintage Asian Reclaimed Wood Console Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring timeless elegance and rustic charm to your space with this Vintage Asian Reclaimed Wood Console Table. Crafted from beautifully aged reclaimed wood, this console table showcase...
Wood
Quality Antique Victorian Burr Walnut Card/Console Table
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique Victorian burr walnut card/side table having a quality burr walnut top with a thumb moulded edge opening to reveal a baize interior. It is supported on shaped turned ...
Walnut
Vintage Elm Wood Console Table
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Bloom Home inc has over 2000 items in stock ready for immediate shipping, scroll down to view all of our items! Vintage Antique Elm Wood Console Table Made from Vintage reclaimed elm wood. Beautiful antique patina, with weathering and age, these are solid and sturdy ready for daily use, use as an entry table, sofa table or console in a dining room. Great in a living room with baskets or ottomans stored under. Each piece is truly unique and one of a kind with different characteristics in the wood. Vintage elm table...
Elm, Reclaimed Wood
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
Sold
H 31.7 in W 43.31 in D 19.69 in
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
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