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 Votre Maison armchairs, credenzas, dining tables 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 Votre Maison furniture on 1stDibs.
Guillerme et Chambron, Tall Oak Clock, France, Mid-20th Century
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
Guillerme placed equal emphasis on function and aesthetics, creating an aesthetic as staid as it was arresting. While his work was in many ways distinctively conservative and recogni...
Oak
Boleslaw Danikowski (1928-1979) ceramic wall clock circa 1960/1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, rare oak longcase clock. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970 Ceramic face by Boleslaw Danikowski. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Mais...
Oak, Ceramic
Travel Alarm Clock by Junghans, circa 1960s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Wien, Au
Travel alarm clock by Junghans, circa 1960s Original condition Brass with green faux leather cover Still working Measures: Open height 8cm, wide 7cm, deep 8cm Closed height 3cm,...
Brass
Vintage Red Seiko Ship Wall Clock, 1970s
By Seiko
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage Seiko navy slave clock designed during the 1970s and produced till 1990s. These clocks were used on large Japanese tankers and cargo ships. It fe...
Iron
Unusual Enamel Wall Clock Ca' 1960's
By Robert Wuersch Associates
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A charming wall clock in enamel on copper, ca' 1960's. Probably by Robert Wuersch, Falls River, Mass. Battery operated.
Enamel
Mid-Century Modern Junghans Ceramic Wall Clock, Germany 1950s
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Vienna, AT
This exceptional vintage wall clock by the renowned German manufacturer Junghans is a quintessential example of Mid-Century Modern "Rockabilly" era design. Crafted in Germany during ...
Brass
Aluminum Wall Clock from the 1970s
Located in Vienna, AT
Aluminum frame with battery movement. Used but still in a good condition, made in Germany in the 1970s.
Aluminum
German 1960s Junghans Pendulum + Weights + Gong Wall Clock
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Krefeld, DE
Wall clock Design & produced by Junghans in 1960s. Brass metal and Teak wood. Mechanical movement and gong is in good working condition. Very nice gong but if you don't like it is po...
Brass
Junghaus Wall Clock 1970s "ELECTORA"
By Junghans Uhren GmbH
Located in Antwerp, BE
Original Vintage Wall mounted clock designed in the seventies by the Manufacture Junghaus, Germany, model Electora. The clock is in original...
Brass
Mid-20th Century German Ship's Clock By Schatz
By Schatz
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid-20th century ship's clock by Schatz, Germany. handsome brass, mahogany & ebony in the form of a ship's wheel. Bevelled glass set in locking bezel. Double bell strike. Runs 8 days...
Brass
Wall Clock " Atlanta ", Germany, around 1960s
Located in Wien, Au
Wall clock " Atlanta " germany, around 1960s Original condition of the case Battery operated, not mechanical.
Brass
Red Chinoiserie Decorated Clock, Mid-20th Century
Located in valatie, NY
This beautiful clock containing later French works is decorated with scenes of Asian country life. It has a decorative brass handle, finials, face and legs. The wooden case is painte...
Wood
Mid-Century Ceramic Wall Clock by Pollmann
Located in Vienna, AT
Ceramic clock with a mechanic movement made my Pollmann in Austria in the early 1950s. Delivery time about 2-3 weeks. The movement will be check by a clock maker before shipment. I...
Brass
Mid-Century Wall Clock by Klenoty, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Praha, CZ
Wall clock made by Klenoty in Czechoslovakia in 1960s. Made of glass and brass. Fully functional.
Metal