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.
$73,947 / item
Luca Desk
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Crafted in exquisite fumed eucalyptus with antique brass detailing, the Luca Desk is a harmonious blend of design and function. Its curved corners beckon admiration from every perspe...
Brass
$170,497
Quantum Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The charcoal oak exterior of this bar is segmented by a copper stringing pattern which directs the path of the wood grain. Within the bar, the copper shelving provides a striking con...
Copper
Modern Girih Treasure Chest Tall Cabinet in Satinwood Marquetry and Sycamore
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Back in October 2016, on one of his many travels to the Persian Gulf in his role as Honorary Chairman of Christie’s Europe Middle East, Russia and India, David Linley’s fascination with Islamic art and architecture was reignited. A photograph of a vibrant tile mosaic pattern was sent back to the LINLEY studio on Pimlico Road, inspiring the design of the spectacular Girih Treasure Chest. The Girih Treasure Chest explores Islamic pattern through detailed wooden marquetry in brilliant sapphire blue and rich gold tones. Girih is an Islamic decorative art form consisting of geometric lines that create an interlaced framework. As if a precious stone in a delicate claw setting, the chest perches on a simple sycamore frame which is supported by a forged brass metal stretcher. As the center of the design lies an eight-pointed star, taken from a beautiful mosaic tile pattern that caught the eye of LINLEY Founder and Chairman David Linley on a visit to Doha, Qatar back in October 2015. Adorning all façades of the chest, the pattern is created using a specially dyed deep blue ripple sycamore...
Gold Leaf
$125,237 / item
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
$108,206
Caprea Low Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Limited Edition of 2. The Caprea Low Bar, crafted in dark grey Oak, polished metal, and ripple Sycamore, stands as a testament to design excellence. Its surface showcases a captivati...
Nickel
$125,237 / item
Cocktail Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our popular Trafalgar cocktail box, this elegant cocktail cabinet has been handcrafted in hand-dyed charcoal veneers of ripple and straight sycamore. The eglomisé surface has a nickel trim and is highlighted with mother-of-pearl champagne dots. The bleach ripple interior is lined with shelving designed for storing crystal and trays. Contains - six Trafalgar olive sticks, six magnetic coasters, silver ice tongs, silver cocktail swizzle stick...
Mirror, Sycamore
Pair of Sheraton Revival Small Locking Cabinets
Located in Hanover, MA
Pair of interesting and lovely single door walnut cabinets with satinwood decorative inlay, probably Edwardian made in the Sheraton taste. Each has a single pull-out open drawer shelf. Possibly bedside lockers...
Satinwood, Walnut
Baker Furniture Modern Regency Writing Desk or Bureau Plat Desk
By Baker Furniture Company, Michael Vanderbyl
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional modern Regency style writing desk or bureau plat desk By Michael Vanderbyl for Baker Furniture, "Archetype" Collection USA,...
Nickel
Empil Desk
By Drugeot
Located in Courbevoie, FR
A streamlined side facing a disorganized side, the Empil desk plays with contrasts. A combination of 4 cases that can be set as one wishes. It offers the features of a classic desk. ...
Oak
Art Deco Cocktail Cabinet Vintage 1920s Chinoiserie Rivington
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant art deco cocktail cabinet decorate with intricate Chinoiserie Piece is by Rivington of London who were famous for art deco furniture including cabinets like this There is a ...
Mahogany
C20th Campaign Style Cocktail Cabinet
By Theodore Alexander
Located in London, GB
A Lovely Campaign Style Drinks Cabinet in Walnut Finish Such a unique Mechanism when opening the Top the Tray Raises your Bottles Ready to Pour Quite a Rare Piece of Furniture and ve...
Wood
A Fine French Art Deco Lacquered Bar
Located in Long Island City, NY
Rare French Art Deco 4 doors lacquered bar in the manner of Rene Prou.
Wood, Lacquer
Vintage Wooden Treasure Chest with Arched Lid and Rustic Hardware
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Vintage Wooden Treasure Chest Description: This is a vintage wooden treasure chest featuring a distinctive arched lid and a rich, warm grain finish. It is reinforced with dark, ru...
Wood
Bronze Mirrored Bar Cabinet by Ello
By Ello Furniture
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A two-part mirrored cabinet on chest, perfect for a bar. Two mirrored doors above three mirrored drawers with modern inset brass campaign handles, on a brass base with brass sides. G...
Brass
Modern Minimal Writing Desk
Located in Nyack, NY
The Modern Minimal Writing Desk's all solid wood construction is evident throughout. Turned legs, radiused edges and soft corners all contribute to the organic nature of this design....
Ash, Walnut
Ralph Lauren One Fifth Bar Cabinet
By Ralph Lauren
Located in North York, ON
Ralph Lauren one fifth bar cabinet. This transitional style bar cabinet is retro and utilitarian. It has a tripartite bar, display cabinet and central...
Stainless Steel
$3,450
H 6.13 in W 36.13 in D 12.5 in
Jewelry Chest by Paul McCobb Planner Group, Ten Drawers, Original Brass Pulls
By Planner Group, Paul McCobb
Located in Kansas City, MO
Ten-drawer Paul MccCobb Planner Group jewelry cabinet with original brass pulls. Very good completely original condition with some signs of wear and scratches which should be evident...
Brass
Art Deco Burr Walnut Cocktail Cabinet by Hille
By Hille
Located in London, GB
A stylish and exceptionally well made Art Deco burr walnut cocktail cabinet by Hille, dating from he 1930’s. This is of outstanding quality and has a gorgeous design. It stands on b...
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex Cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex Cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
Tectonic Bar Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Tectonic Bar embodies superlative quality and innovative design whilst epitomizing the intricacy and precision of fine craftsmanship at its best. The...
Nickel, Gold Leaf
Watch Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Handcrafted in marble Macassar ebony and walnut with a ripple walnut interior. Eight watch winders for keeping automatic watches ticking are displayed behind a hinged glass door at the front of the cabinet, with leather lined compartments, padded watch...
Ebony, Macassar, Walnut
Valet Stand
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Linley valet stand is a wonderfully practical piece of furniture that is used for hanging a suit and hat and holding small accessories. Handcrafted in...
Rosewood, Sycamore, Walnut
Grace Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Designed to aid the finishing touches of getting ready, the sophisticated cabinet opens to reveal an array of shelves, drawers and compartments for storing jewellery, make up, hair brushes and perfume bottles as well as a large mirror to ensure the perfect look before leaving the house. An integrated stool covered in quilted grey leather sits beneath the cabinet creating a seamless outline but also allowing for comfort when removed from underneath to sit on. Synonymous with elegance, the Grace cabinet...
Lightscape Noon Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The bureau is a sophisticated solution to working at home. Reflecting the shifted angle of the sun, the building is cast in shadow, a calm backdrop to the energy flowing in the streets below. The marquetry facade of the bureau is controlled and refined, made up of hand-dyed grey eucalyptus and black sycamore veneers with mother of pearl subtly highlighting the ‘steel’ construction. The bureau provides a practical space for working while keeping document...
Mother-of-Pearl, Sycamore
Helix Wine Box
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The predominant feature of the wine box is the intertwined twin strands of the double helix, or the unit cell of DNA in marquetry inlay. This motif characterizes the iconic Helix furniture collection and has been applied using the technique of marquetry inlay, a meticulous discipline that over the years has become a Linley signature. The intricate marquetry detailing on the box epitomizes fine craftsmanship at its best, and therefore is a be-fitting home for wines that are themselves feats of artisan skill and perfectionism. The ultimate collector's item, the wine box was designed to house five of the finest bottles of Bordeaux selected by fine wine merchants The Antique Wine Company.