Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron, the French creative duo behind Votre Maison, met under unusual circumstances: They discussed design while imprisoned in a forced labor camp. The pair’s combined talents later resulted in modern, sculptural furniture — today, vintage Guillerme et Chambron desks, dining tables, chairs and other pieces still look conceptually playful and vibrant but could fit harmoniously into any home.
Guillerme had graduated from the École Boulle in 1934 with a degree in design and architecture, and Chambron had studied at the School of Applied Arts in Reims. They were captured by the Germans in East Prussia during the Second World War and struck up a friendship over their mutual love for all things design.
After the war ended, Guillerme moved to Lille in northern France; Chambron left his job as a painter and decorator in Paris and joined him in 1948. In 1949, the pair met Émile Dariosecq, a skilled cabinetmaker who enthusiastically agreed to manufacture the duo’s designs, leading to the start of Votre Maison.
Guillerme and Chambron were as prolific as they were detailed, producing more than 2,000 pieces in the second half of the 20th century out of a former gun factory. Their furniture, which was mostly made with different tones of waxed oak, adhered to the trends of design that emerged after the war: mid-century modernism.
European furniture in the postwar period largely prioritized function as much as it did form and lacked any unnecessary ornamentation. Guillerme and Chambron wanted people to actually use their furniture, not just look at it. That design philosophy was a pillar of their company, its name translating to “your house” in French. Their signature touches included ornate tiles, hidden drawers and vibrant textiles on pieces such as desks, tables, shelving, lighting, benches and other seating. One of Votre Maison’s most famous and popular pieces was the Grand Repos armchair, a stately, high-backed wide piece with a skeletal oak frame, six spindles and plush cushions.
While Guillerme and Chambron were a team, they handled different aspects of the business: Guillerme designed much of the furniture and Chambron concentrated on decor. Votre Maison was a full-service design business. In 1983, the dynamic duo passed on their company to Chambron’s son, Hervé, a designer and graduate of École Boulle.
Find a collection of vintage Guillerme et Chambron furniture on 1stDibs.
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Solid Oak and Black Leather
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s. This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Leather, Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Oak and Black Stone
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, corner writing desk, oak, stone, France, 1960s A design by Guillerme et Chambron, featuring a corner desk crafted primarily from oak. The des...
Stone
Guillerme & Chambron Free-Standing Corner Desk in Dark Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, corner desk, stained oak, leather, France, 1960s. Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This executive desk shows the fi...
Leather, Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Corner Desk in Dark Oak and Black Stone
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, corner writing desk, oak, stone, France, 1960s A design by Guillerme et Chambron, featuring a corner desk crafted primarily from dark stained...
Stone
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Desk and Chair Set, Handcrafted in France
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Stamford, CT
Designer handcrafted oak desk and chair. Chair adjusts to two positions. Desk knobs are wood with ceramic. All legs end on ceramic balls. Chair is 25 W x...
Ceramic, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron French Oak Desk/ Low Table
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly perfect size table for a writing desk also converts in to a LOWER console table height piece. The lovely parquet top is classic Chambron and although it has side extensio...
Oak
An oak Guillerme et Chambron desk with ceramic handles
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Adirectional oak desk by Guillerme et Chambron edition Votre Maison with ceramic handle
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazauri...
Oak, Faux Leather
Large corner desk Guillerme et Chambron in oak and black marble
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
À Guillerme et Chambron édition Votre Maison marble oak desk circa 1960
Marble
Guillerme et Chambron Etudiant Oak Desk, circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, "Etudiant" desk in oak. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, n...
Faux Leather, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Large Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near ...
Marble, Iron
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960 ceramic handles by Boleslaw Danikowski Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1960. Votre m...
Oak, Ceramic
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1960. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazaurien Lake. A stalag, a wooden camp... Gathered by the absurd consequences of war, men from different universes are here. Among them, Jacques Chambron and Robert Guillerme struggle daily to preserve what matters most to them : human dignity. The war is endless. To bear the present they design a project for future. Winter 1944 : the war comes to an end. With other companions in exile, Chambron and Guillerme escape and cross the Nazi line, and join the port of Odessa, the Bosphore and Marseille in France. It is now 1946 and war –torn France is a land of severe restrictions in need of reconstruction. Both men return to their original occupations. Guillerme with a 1934 major from “Ecole Boule” moves back to Lille to design furniture for Atelier Rogie. Chambron, who holds an art degree, returns to his studio in Paris to paint. Because of time and distance contact is limited between them. In 1948 Jacques Chambron and his family move to Lille and the initial project begins to take shape. Chambron and Guillerme meet Emile Dariosecq, a furniture manufacturer, and in 1949 the company Votre Maison sees the light. Guillerme designs the furniture, Chambron markets it and Dariosecq manufactures it. Together they define a new style and impose a new concept. The originality of their collaroration reflects on the furniture. Quickly the style Votre Maison is defined as quality furniture that is easy to leave with. Guillerme designs chests, sideboards, chairs, sofas, lighting, all complementing one another and manufactured in limited editions. Wood, leather, ceramic and fabric, all design are sincere and authentic. Chambron plays an important part in making the public accept this new furniture and convinces them to move away from the common place. Distribution of the furniture is done primarily through the company itself, on some occasions by architects and interior designers. In the early seventies, Hervé Chambron, Jacques'son, joins the Votre Maison company. Also a graduate from Ecole Boule, he becomes Robert Guillerme's assistant and creates his own designs from 1983, bthe year when Jacques Chambron and Robert Guillerme retire. Today, the designs of Robert Guillerme are referred to as “French wood furniture...
Faux Leather, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Desk Table, Oak Writing Desk, Height Adjustable
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, desk table, oak writing desk, height adjustable. "Edition Votre Maison" This piece of furniture was created by, workshop manager : Maurice Cazier (1924-2012 at...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, rare desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the M...
Oak, Faux Leather
H 28.94 in W 63 in D 39.77 in
Desk - French - Art Deco - Oak - Dudouyt - 1940s
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Art Deco dining table. The table features stunning oak sanded wood grain with a stunning patina. The top is encrusted with a checked marquetry. It rests on tall and Brutalist ...
Oak
H 23.23 in W 17.33 in D 12.6 in
Guillerme et Chambron, pair of solid oak bedside tables circa 1960/1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, pair of solid oak bedside tables circa 1960/1970, Edition Votre Maison Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 194...
Oak
H 20.5 in W 17.5 in D 10.75 in
Rustic Modern Guillerme et Chambron Oak End Table, France, c. 1950
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York City, NY
Delightful and well-designed oak end table by Guillerme et Chambron, France, circa 1950s. Smart design consists of a solid oak construction, sculptural base, and two levels of surfa...
Oak
H 29.93 in W 61.03 in D 27.56 in
Peter Lovig free standing writing desk in teak Denmark 1960
By Peter Løvig Nielsen, Løvig Design
Located in Etten-Leur, NL
Well-crafted freestanding writing desk designed by Peter Løvig Nielsen, Denmark, circa 1960. Executed in warm-toned teak, this piece is a refined example of Danish modern design, com...
Teak
H 31 in W 48 in D 29.38 in
19th Century Carved Oak Pedestal Desk
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English pedestal desk made from oak. The top is covered in the original brown leather, which has aged beautifully, and is banded by an oak border, which has a gorgeous b...
Leather, Oak
H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in
Guillerme & Chambron Oak End Tables, France 1950's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
A pair of end tables in oak by Guillerme & Chambron, a very atypical design that rests on asymmetrical legs.
Oak
H 31.5 in W 70.87 in D 29.53 in
Modern Armona Stone Desk, Oak Root Miel Onyx, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Rute Martins
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Armona Stone Desk, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Armona stone desk draws inspiration from the serene landscape of Armona Island...
Onyx, Quartz, Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
H 22.25 in W 47.5 in D 36.25 in
Kipp Stewart American Design Foundation MCM Solid Cherry Corner Desk
By Kipp Stewart
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Kipp Stewart American Design Foundation Mid Century solid cherry corner desk This desk measures: 47.5 wide x 36.25 deep x 22.25 inches high...
Cherry
H 25.01 in W 25.01 in D 25.01 in
Coffee Table, in Oak and Ceramic by Guillerme et Chambron, France, 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Round oak coffee table with beautiful colored ceramic tiles in the top. The materials and forms of this table show the characteristics of the French designers Guillerme et Chambron. ...
Oak
H 28.5 in W 62 in D 66 in
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk
By Jens Risom
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Jens Risom Mid Century Walnut Corner Desk The desk measures: 62 wide x 28 deep x 28.5 high, with a chair clearance of 27.25 inches The retur...
Walnut
H 15.75 in W 42.52 in D 26.38 in
Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Coffee Table in Oak and Ceramics, circa 1950-1960
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Coffee Table in Oak and Ceramics, circa 1950-1960 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near...
Ceramic, Oak
H 13.75 in W 20 in D 23.25 in
Guillerme & Chambron, Josette, Oak & Ceramic Side Table France C 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
Edition table Josette. Tilework executed by B. Danikowski. Robert Guillerme placed equal emphasis on function and aesthetics, creating a look as staid as it was arresting. While hi...
Ceramic, Oak
H 29.53 in W 49.41 in D 28.55 in
Guillerme & Chambron Writing Desk in Oak and Leather
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, writing desk, oak, leather, France, 1960s. This desk is designed by the renowned French duo Guillerme et Chambron. This design holds an utter...
Leather, Oak
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 27.56 in
Guillerme & Chambron Desk in Stained Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak, faux-leather, France, 1960s. Beautifully shaped desk in dark stained oak by French designer duo Jacques Chambron and Robert Guillerme. This execu...
Faux Leather, Oak
H 29.53 in W 50.2 in D 25.4 in
Guillerme et Chambron Writing Desk with Hidden Storage in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak, France, 1950s Delicate writing desk by the French designer duo Guillerme et Chambron. The desk in solid oak features two flat legs with integrate...
Oak
H 28.75 in W 70.87 in D 55.91 in
Private listing for Emily
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Private listing for Emily, consisting of: - Guillerme et Chambron, right sided corner desk, to be stained, France, 1960s - List price $12,800 Services: - Staining the desk in bla...
Oak
H 28.35 in W 63 in D 25.6 in
Guillerme et Chambron Desk in Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak, France, 1950s This desk has a large work surface and is equipped with storage space. Two compartments on both sides allow you to store your belon...
Oak
H 28.35 in W 82.68 in D 55.12 in
Guillerme et Chambron Corner Desk in Solid Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, corner desk in oak, France, 1960s. This desk and return, is executed in solid oak by French designers Guillerme et Chambron. This elegant corner desk shows in...
Metal
H 29.14 in W 66.93 in D 27.56 in
Guillerme et Chambron Desk in Oak
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak, France, 1950s. This desk has a large work surface and are equipped with plenty of storage space due well decorated drawers with ceramic handles on ...
Oak
H 29.93 in W 74.81 in D 59.45 in
Guillerme and Chambron Corner Desk in Oak and Granite
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak and granite, by France, 1960s. Corner desk by French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This executive desk holds the characteristic decorations ...
Granite
H 28.35 in W 53.55 in D 27.37 in
Compact Oak Desk Designed by Guillerme et Chambron, France, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Compact desk designed by Guillerme et Chambron, France, 1960s. This desk has a large working surface and is equipped with plenty of storage space due to the smart and well-design...
Oak
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 55.12 in
Guillerme & Chambron Solid Oak Corner Desk
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme & Chambron, desk in oak, France, 1960s. This desk and return, is executed in solid oak by French designers Guillerme et Chambron. This elegant corner desk shows interest...
Metal
H 29.53 in W 49.22 in D 28.94 in
Guillerme et Chambron Desk in Oak by France, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak and leather, France, 1960s. This small desk is designed by the French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This writing desk holds the characteri...
Oak
H 29.14 in W 49.41 in D 28.55 in
Guillerme & Chambron Original Leather and Oak Freestanding Desk
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Guillerme et Chambron, desk, oak and leather, by France, 1960s. This small desk is designed by the French designer duo Guillerme and Chambron. This writing desk holds the character...
Leather, Oak