LINLEY London Furniture
Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young LINLEY founder, David Linley (b. 1961), 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 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.
LINLEY has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. Its case pieces, 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 its output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of LINLEY furniture on 1stDibs.
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British LINLEY London Furniture
Steel, Brass
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Maple
2010s British Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Rosewood, Sycamore
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary British Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Nickel
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Copper
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Nickel
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Velvet, Walnut
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Mirror, Sycamore
Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Leather, Wood
20th Century British Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Satinwood, Sycamore, Walnut
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Aluminum, Brass
Early 19th Century European Regency Antique LINLEY London Furniture
Rosewood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique LINLEY London Furniture
Glass, Elm
Late 19th Century English Edwardian Antique LINLEY London Furniture
Brass
Early 20th Century Art Deco LINLEY London Furniture
Metal
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage LINLEY London Furniture
Bronze
1980s American Vintage LINLEY London Furniture
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary British LINLEY London Furniture
Leather, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary English LINLEY London Furniture
Fiberglass
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage LINLEY London Furniture
Metal
2010s French Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Stainless Steel
1890s French Antique LINLEY London Furniture
Fabric, Beech
1990s Japanese Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Glass, Cherry
21st Century and Contemporary British Mid-Century Modern LINLEY London Furniture
Crystal, Silver
Early 2000s British Edwardian LINLEY London Furniture
Brass, Nickel
Late 20th Century British Art Deco LINLEY London Furniture
Walnut, Burl
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Rosewood, Sycamore
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Brass
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Walnut
1990s English LINLEY London Furniture
Glass, Oak
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Aluminum, Brass
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Brass
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Bronze
2010s British LINLEY London Furniture
Rosewood, Sycamore
Late 20th Century Great Britain (UK) LINLEY London Furniture
Oak