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.
David Linley Dice Armchairs in chocolate brown leather by LINLEY, London
By David Linley, LINLEY London
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pair of Dice Armchairs designed by David Linley for LINLEY, London. Good original condition with slight traces of use, mainly on the wooden frames.
Leather, Wood
$24,948 / item
Savoy Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Savoy rotating tub chair is handcrafted in our British workshops using traditional methods. Classically made, the chair has hand-tied springs with a sprung cane edge. The foam co...
Velvet, Walnut
$6,078 / item
H 31.5 in W 37.41 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Conchula Swivel Accent Chair, Italian Boucle, Handmade Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Conchula Swivel Accent Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Conchula swivel accent chair is a room-defining furniture piece, distinguished by its eye-catching silhouette. Designed to provide ultimate comfort for moments of relaxation, Conchula seamlessly combines timeless craftsmanship with modern sophistication. Whether paired with the Conchula curved sofa or daybed, this swivel accent chair enhances any contemporary interior, elevating the space with its refined presence. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Conchula Armchair...
Brass
$9,843 / item
H 30.71 in W 29.14 in D 41.74 in
Saddle Old Brown Armchair in Genuine Vintage Brown Leather
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair saddle old brown with wooden structure in vintage brown leather with stirrups and handcrafted leather.
Leather, Wood
Yeo Daybed by LINLEY London
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
A daring and original piece of furniture designed by British artist Jonathan Yeo, structurally engineered by expert technicians and manufactured by LINLEY...
Steel, Brass
$2,900
H 42.5 in W 36 in D 32 in
George Mulhauser Designed Plycraft Walnut Black Leather Lounge Chair Ottoman
By Plycraft
Located in Essex, MA
George Mulhauser designed Plycraft walnut and Italian leather lounge chairs and ottomans, bent stacked laminated plywood swivel tilting walnut lounge chairs, and ottomans in the style of Eames. They are in excellent condition and professionally restored circa 1960 - 1970. Beautiful patina to the walnut wood frame, reclining black leather...
Leather, Wood
$7,968 / item
H 34.26 in W 33.08 in D 37.41 in
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair, Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Modern Capelinhos Swivel Lounge Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Capelinhos swivel lounge chair with footstool celebrates exceptio...
Leather, Wood, Oak, Alpaca, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, Walnut, Lacquer
$1,326
H 43.31 in W 33.47 in D 30.32 in
Reupholstered Swivel Lounge Chair from Up Zavody, Czechia, 1970s
Located in Żory, PL
This wing swivel lounge chair was produced by UP Zavody Rousinov in the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia. The armchair has been restored, has new foams and is upholstered in high-quali...
Fabric
Midcentury Swivel Chairs, 1970s
Located in Praha, CZ
-made of metal, fabric, leather - made in Germany - good original condition.
Metal
Christian Liaigre Barbuda Armchair in Brown Leather
By Christian Liaigre
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Beautifully aged Christian Liaigre Barbuda brown leather armchair. Elegant silhouette. This is not the same as the dining chair model. Please see dimensions. Wonderful for a livi...
Leather
Chesterfield Brown Leather Armchair
By Mantellassi 1926
Located in Milan, IT
The Chesterfield armchair, from Tribeca Collection, is an icon of the world of the leather lounge, a timeless classic in the world of upholstery, an item that enriches any home and m...
Leather
Red Vinyl Swivel Chair, Molded Fiberglass, Midcentury, USA, 1970s
Located in Stamford, CT
A steel swivel based molded chair upholstered in red vinyl. Seat height is 18" at the front edge. The seat depth is 18". This chair has been in storage and ...
Fiberglass
French Art Deco Swivel Chair by Jules Leleu, Mahogany & Leather
By Jules Leleu
Located in Queens, NY
French Art Deco mahogany swivel chair with beige leather upholstered seat and back. (attributed to JULES LELEU).
Leather, Mahogany
$3,456
H 31.89 in W 22.05 in D 23.63 in
Memphis Style Black Brown Modernist Office Chair Desk Chair Matteo Grassi, Italy
By Matteo Grassi
Located in Vienna, AT
Memphis style Black and Brown modern swivelling desk chair or office chair attributed to Matteo Grassi, Italy. A beautiful armchair from ste...
Metal
Ritz Macassar Ladies Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Evoke the glamour of 1920s London with the Ritz Macassar armchair, handcrafted in our British workshops, this bold chair exudes extravagant sophistication...
Metallic Thread
Ritz Macassar Gentleman's Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Evoke the glamour of 1920s London with the Ritz Macassar armchair, handcrafted in our British workshops, this bold chair exudes extravagant sophistication...
Metallic Thread
Revolver Easy Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Sit back and relax in the new revolver easy chair. This comfortable, oversized chair has a charcoal oak base and reflex foam core with feather-down wrap se...
Nelson Chair
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
To celebrate the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar (1805) and acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson, in 2005 LINLEY collaborated with the Nat...
Brass