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 Rare Gustave Table. Edition Votre Maison Circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme Et Chambron Rare Gustave Table. Edition Votre Maison Circa 1970 Large model with 6 legs top made of blue stone slabs (Soignies stone) Votre maison : a style, a concept,...
Marble
Guillerme et Chambron Exceptional large table "Gustave", Edition Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron Exceptional large table "Gustave", Edition Votre Maison circa 1975 solid oak base. the tray is composed of 8 marble slabs (Pierre de Soignies) dimension : 73x24...
Belgian Black Marble
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1960
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak desk, Edition Votre Maison circa 1960. 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...
Faux Leather, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Table De Salon En Chêne Et Marbrite circa 1950
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme Et Chambron, table de salon en chêne et marbrite circa 1950 Edition Votre Maison Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Ma...
Oak, Opaline Glass
Guillerme et Chambron, Pair of Side Tables with Lamps, France, Midcentury
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
This pair of midcentury, polished light oak reading tables by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of desi...
Ceramic, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak side table, Edition Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron, Boleslaw Danikowski
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak side table, Edition Votre Maison Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the Mazaurien Lake...
Ceramic, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Pair of Oak and Ceramic Coffee Tables Ed. Votre Maison
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Pair of Oak and Ceramic Coffee Tables Edition Votre Maison, 1970 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Pru...
Ceramic, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron Exceptional large table "Gustave", Edition Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron exceptional large table "Gustave", Edition Votre Maison circa 1975, solid oak base. dimension : 73x246x100 cm + 2 extensions of 54 cm each Dimensions with 2 ext...
Oak
Large extendable dining table, 320 cm, in oak by Guillerme and Chambron 1960.
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in JOINVILLE-LE-PONT, FR
Extra-large dining table with a large extension leaf, seating 14 people. The extension leaf cleverly slides under the table and is stored in a discreet metal rail. Side handles allow...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Desk Table, Oak Writing Desk, Height Adjustable
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, desk table, oak writing desk, height adjustable. "Edition Votre Maison" This piece of furniture was created by, workshop manager : Maurice Cazier (1924-2012 at...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak and Ceramic Coffee Table Edition Votre Maison, 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak and ceramic coffee table edition Votre Maison, 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, nea...
Oak, Ceramic
$4,628
Table d'appoint
By Votre Maison
Located in Paris, FR
Side table by French designers Robert Guillerme & Jacques Chambron for Votre Maison
Ceramic, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Table with 2 Sliding Drawers under the Top, 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak table with 2 sliding drawers under the top,circa 1970 2 oak extensions extend the table up to 245 cm. Dimension open: 73 x 245 x 85 cm. Votre maison : a s...
Oak
Table par Guillerme et Chambron pour Votre Maison 1950
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Table par Guillerme et Chambron pour Votre Maison 1950
Oak, Glass
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Bourbonnais Table, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak Bourbonnais table Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prus...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, paire de 3 tables gigognes Edition Votre Maison
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, paire de 3 tables gigognes Edition Votre Maison Peuvent être vendues séparément. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begin...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Two Rare Oak Side Table, circa 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Two oak side tables Guillerme et Chambron Edition votre Maison, circa 1970. probably an order can be unique pieces. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison s...
Oak
Guillerme & Chambron, Set of 4 Side Tables, Oak & Ceramic Coffee Table, France
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in New York, NY
Dimensions for each element. Tilework executed by B. Danikowski. Robert Guillerme placed equal emphasis on function and aesthetics, creating a look as staid as it was arresting. W...
Ceramic, Oak
Guillerme et Chambron dining table in blackened oak, Edition Votre Maison circa
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron dining table in blackened oak, Edition Votre Maison circa 1970 with two leaves 73x120x157 cm Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votr...
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak and Ceramic Coffee Table, Edition Votre Maison, 1970
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak and Ceramic Coffee Table, Edition Votre Maison, 1970 Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, nea...
Ceramic, Oak
$13,476
Table basse
By Votre Maison
Located in Paris, FR
Wood and ceramic coffee table by French designers Robert Guillerme and Jacques Chambron for Votre Maison
Ceramic, Wood
Guillerme et Chambron, Oak Bourbonnais Table, circa 1970
By Guillerme et Chambron, Votre Maison
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, oak Bourbonnais table Edition Votre Maison, circa 1970. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prus...
Oak
Guillerme Et Chambron, Grande table de salon en chêne et lave émaillée
By Boleslaw Danikowski, Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme Et Chambron, Grande table de salon en chêne et lave émaillée de Boleslaw Danikowski circa 1970. Edition Votre Maison Votre maison : a style...
Lava
$2,285
Table d'Appoint
By Votre Maison
Located in Paris, FR
Sublime side table by Robert Guillerme & Jacques Chambron for Votre Maison in solid oak with ceramic detail measuring 67 x 52 x 42 cm
Oak
Guillerme et Chambron, Rare Desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Guillerme et Chambron, rare desk, Edition Votre Maison, circa 1950/1960. Votre maison : a style, a concept, a mindset. The Votre Maison story begins in 1940 in Prussia, near the M...
Oak, Faux Leather