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, Polished Oak Curved Settee, France, Mid-20th Century
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
This midcentury curved sofa by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison. In polished oak and ...
Upholstery, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Two-Seat Oak Sofa, France, Mid-20th Century
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
This elegant midcentury polished oak sofa by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison. Guil...
Upholstery, Oak
$7,950
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 23.63 in
Guillerme et Chambron "José" Sofa for Votre Maison, France 1970s
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Utrecht, NL
The company Votre Maison is one that has left an indelible mark on the history of French design. The 'José' model sofa, designed by Robert Guillerme along with his sales partner Jacq...
Fabric, Oak
$15,750
H 32 in W 85 in D 32 in
Guillerme et Chambron Curved Sofa Loveseat for Votre Maison, France 1960's
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
Unusual oak sofa by Guillerme & Chambron for Votre Maison. The frame has the usual hallmarks of their production with the extended end and thick pencil-shaped legs with a curved back...
Velvet, Oak
Curved sofa by Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in BE
This remarkable French mid-century sofa by Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison embodies sculptural design and timeless craftsmanship. It includes two sets of original cushions—dar...
Ceramic, Fabric, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron oak sofa "Édouard
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
A 3 seats sofa in oak and fabric perfect condition by guillerme and Chambron
Oak
Oak Sofa by French Designers Guillerme et Chambron, 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Paris, FR
Oak Sofa by Guillerme et Chambron (French Designers), 1960s Sculpted Guillerme and Chambron (for Ed Votre Maison) sofa in solid oak and fabric upholstery With The typical character...
Oak
Guillerme & Chambron Settee in Oak, France, c 1960's
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
This settee was designed by the iconic French design duo Guillerme et Chambron. The high quality and distinctive skeletal open frame construction features a beautifully crafted spind...
Oak
$8,425
H 36.62 in W 79.93 in D 42.52 in
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Settee with Connecting Table, France 1950s
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Utrecht, NL
This rare oak settee is a delightful piece even if measured against the other seating models in the repertoire of the French designer duo, Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron. This...
Fabric, Oak
1950’s Oak Sofa by Guillerme et Chambron
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Chicago, IL
1950’s French oak sofa designed by Guillerme et Chambron. New upholstery. Arm height 22
Upholstery, Oak
$8,616
H 37.01 in W 78.75 in D 31.5 in L 37.01 in
Guillerme et Chambron, "Eventail" Curved Bench, 1965 Votre Maison Edition
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, "Eventail" curved bench. 1965 Votre Maison edition. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the...
Oak
Curved Oak Sofa by Guillerme et Chambron, France 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Hellouw, NL
A refined example of French post-war design, this modular oak sofa by Guillerme et Chambron captures the designers' distinctive balance between craftsmanship and sculptural form. Pro...
Fabric, Oak
$8,215
H 40.56 in W 55.52 in D 36.62 in
Guillerme et Chambron Two-Seater Oak Sofa for Votre Maison, France 1960s
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Utrecht, NL
This model visually represents the very reason Votre Maison and Guillerme et Chambron significantly influenced French design history. From every angle, this sofa’s design has unique ...
Oak, Bouclé
$9,330
H 35.63 in W 63.78 in D 27.56 in
Guillerme et Chambron Sculpted Oak Two-Seater Sofa for Votre Maison, France 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Utrecht, NL
This oaken “Grand Repos” sofa deserve its title of iconic, both in terms of quality and design. This model visually represents the very reason Votre Maison, the French duo, Guillerme...
Fabric, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron Sofa
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in London, GB
A solid oak sofa designed by Guillerme et Chambron in the 1970s. The sofa features the duo’s signature bold design and has been newly reupholstered in wool fabric, combining durabili...
Wool, Oak
$11,660
H 37.01 in W 96.86 in D 48.43 in
Guillerme et Chambron "Mathilde" Sofa for Votre Maison, France mid-20th Century
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Utrecht, NL
The duo of Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron and their company, Votre Maison, denote a landmark of French mid-century design history. Robert Guillerme, who designed most of the w...
Fabric, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron Oak Midcentury Modular Sofa
By Guillerme et Chambron
Located in London, GB
A set of three modular lounge chairs that can form as sofa. By Guillerme et Chambron. France, circa 1960s. Darkened oak and upholstery. Dimensions per piece. Good v...
Oak
Banquette Grand Repos
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Los Angeles, CA
France Circa 1960, This oak framed love seat was designed in 1960 by R. Guillerme and constructed by Votre Maison. The distinctive design of the back with its series of vertical pic...
Oak, Chenille