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 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. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, n...
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, 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 Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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, 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
Guillerme et Chambron, pair of oak stool Edited by Votre Maison 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, pair of oak stool Edited by Votre Maison 1970 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Maza...
Oak
Rare Corner Armchair circa 1960 by Guillerme and Chambron, "Votre Maison"
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
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, 1970 Oak Armchair Edited by Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, 1970 oak armchair "caqueteuse" edited by Votre Maison. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near ...
Oak
Guillerme and Chambron, Suite of 6 Chairs Model "Marie-Claire", circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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
Guillerme et Chambron, 2 Blackened Oak Stools, Edition Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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, 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
Stool circa 1970 by Guillerme and Chambron, Edition "Votre Maison"
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
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