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, Oak Stool, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak stool, 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
Guillerme et Chambron, rare "Maria" Oak Armchair Edited by Votre Maison 1950
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, rare Maria Oak Armchair Edited by Votre Maison 1950 Please note: pillows are not available thanks 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...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Six Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Six Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Ma...
Oak, Wool
Guillerme et Chambron large Armchair, Edition Votre Maison circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
An armchair in black oak by Guillerme et Chambron. Edition Votre Maison circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia,...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 6 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, set of six oak chairs. Edition Votre Maison, 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak shelf and Stool, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak stool and his shelf Edition Votre Maison circa 1970. Measures: Shelf : 36 x 56 x 30 cm. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Stool, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak stool, 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
Guillerme et Chambron, 4 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, 4 chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazaur...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 4 Chairs , Edition Votre Maison circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron SET OF 4 chairs Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970. Wood are in good condition. faded fabric possibility of having 12 chairs in total, patina and different fabri...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 4 Chairs , Edition Votre Maison circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Set of 4 Oak Chairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960 Wood and straws are in good condition. Possibility of having more chairs in the model 6 other chairs of ...
Oak, Straw
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Stool, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak stool, 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
Set of four Guillerme et Chambron chairs, Edition Votre Maison circa 1960
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron set of 4 chairs Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the M...
Oak
$14,724 / set
Romeo Armchairs
By Votre Maison
Located in Paris, FR
Robert Guillerme & Jacques Chambron for Votre maison Solid Oak covered with Linen Fabrics 93 x 82 x 90 cm circa 1955
Fabric, Oak
Guillerme and Chambron, Suite of 6 Chairs, circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Suite of 6 oak chairs Edition "Votre Maison", circa 1970. wood and fabric in very good condition, foam a little soft. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a min...
Oak, Cotton
Guillerme et Chambron, 1970 sofa "José" Edited by Votre Maison circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, 1970 sofa " José" edited by Votre Maison. circa 1970 Several armchairs in the "José" model are also available Votre maison : a...
Oak
Guillerme and Chambron, Suite of 6 Chairs Model "Marie-Claire", circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme and Chambron, Suite of 6 chairs model "Marie-Claire" Edition "Votre Maison", circa 1970. fully restored. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison s...
Oak
Rare Corner Armchair circa 1960 by Guillerme and Chambron, "Votre Maison"
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Rare corner armchair circa 1960, by Guillerme and Chambron, edition "Votre Maison". Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia,...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, 2 Blackened Oak Stools, Edition Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, 2 Blackened Oak Stools, Edition Votre Maison Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazaur...
Wool, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Pair of Oak Armchairs, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, pair of oak armchairs. Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, ne...
Oak
Stool circa 1970 by Guillerme and Chambron, Edition "Votre Maison"
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Stool circa 1970, by Guillerme and Chambron, edition "Votre Maison". Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazau...
Wool, Oak