Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young LINLEY founder, David Linley (b. 1961), made a decorative box as a teenager — a project he’d crafted at Bedales School that impressed his teacher — it was proudly passed around as a cigar box at parties by the Queen Mother. Of course, the royal treatment makes a bit more sense when you consider that the Queen was simply grandmother to Linley, formally David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, second earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Born in London, Linley was creative from an early age — a characteristic eagerly encouraged at home with his parents and at Kensington Palace with the extended family. After completing his studies in carpentry and design at Parnham House in 1982, Linley set up his first studio. Within three years he had moved to King’s Road in Chelsea and, with his friend painter and designer Matthew Rice, officially cofounded LINLEY, a source for luxury furniture and accessories and bespoke carpentry and millwork.
The brand was a quick success. When Linley presented its first line at Christie’s in 1985 — a collection of furniture and more called “Venetian,” which was inspired by the Italian city’s grandiose Gothic architecture — the entire lot sold out on the day of its presentation. Besides Linley the brand being a commercial success, Linley the founder was somewhat of a marvel: At the time, the designer was the first of the royal family to undertake any sort of vocational work, let alone establish their own brand.
LINLEY has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. Its case pieces, seating, other furnishings and decorative objects owe consistently to traditional methods and conventions as often as they do clean modernity. The designer has long looked to Chippendale furniture as well as other styles that gained prominence during the 18th century as much as he has toward the future.
Now, in addition to its furniture, accessories and custom millwork, LINLEY operates an interior design business, outfitting homes (and a few cars and yachts) in the brand’s singularly chic style. And while its output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of LINLEY furniture on 1stDibs.
Moustique Cocktail Cabinet by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Moustique Cocktail Cabinet by Redeco Dimensions: W 120 x D 55 x H 150 cm Materials: Lightened mdf and mdf structure. Two outer curved doors with magnetic closing, one central bronze ...
Metal, Bronze
Moustique Cocktail 5044 Cabinet by Redeco
Located in Geneve, CH
Moustique Cocktail Cabinet by Redeco Dimensions: W 120 x D 55 x H 150 cm Materials: Lightened mdf and mdf structure. Two outer curved doors with magnetic closing, one central bronze ...
Metal, Bronze
1920s Art Deco Bar Cabinet
Located in Madrid, ES
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home with this stylish Art Deco bar cabinet from the 1920s. Crafted from exotic wood, this exquisite piece exudes sophistication and luxury. Featuring a set of cut...
Fruitwood
Liquor Box Set - Napoleon III
Located in Porto, PT
This distinguished set, dating to the French Napoleon III period, includes three decanters accompanied by twelve glasses, all crafted from molded glass. Each decanter features gilt m...
Glass
$8,765Sale Price|30% Off
H 35.83 in W 24.02 in D 20.08 in
Rare High-End Bespoke Shagreen Travelling Trunk Cocktail Bar by Ginger Brown
By Ginger Brown
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Rare High-End Bespoke Shagreen Travelling Trunk Cocktail Bar Cabinet by Esteemed Maker Ginger Brown of Normandy, France. Havana Brown Shagreen With Heavy Duty Steel Latches, The Bar Has A Mirrored Interior, With Fitted Drawer & Leather Binding. Features Elegant Ginger Brown Brass Emblem. Extra dimensions - Height to top when open 112cm Ginger Brown is a French family run company based in Normandy, France that was started in 2001. Their expert team employ the oldest techniques to give a sophisticated aspect to the raw natural treasures. Their unique masterpieces are appreciated the World over by the best interior designers, luxury stores and hotels. Their bespoke bar...
Steel
1970s Bar Box attributed by Sabot Roche Bobois
Located in Biella, IT
Bar box table attributed by Sabot Roche Bobois design years '70. Chipboard with melamine and metal sheet, good vintage condition. Measure 38.8 inches x 28" ...
Aluminum, Sheet Metal
$15,487
H 37.01 in W 20.08 in D 17.72 in
Rising Drink Cabinet, Cocktail Bar, Dry Bar, Folding Bar, Pop Up Bar
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This English cocktail cabinet is particularly unusual and elegant. Made of magnificent honey color golden walnut, from 1920's ,I t features on its front, 1 fake cupboard, I fake drawer and 1 real double drawer. . Its top section pops up to reveal a full set of glasses and decanters . And when it closes down, it closes very softly by itself automatically thanks to its elaborate inside mechanism. It features a divided hinged top opening to a rising platform all fitted with a complete set of cut crystal glasses 4 cut crystal decanters. ... When it is open, there are 2 glass top inside its opening lid that you can use for service. Its bottom drawer opens in 2 times and is also fitted with matching glasses. It is a real surprise cabinet as from its exterior ,one can't imagine what is inside but when it opens, it is breathtaking with its rising platform full of different size cut crystal glasses... It is a top quality dry bar with solid brass hardware. This metamorphic cabinet...
Crystal
Rupert Bevan Miami Cocktail Cabinet
By Rupert Bevan
Located in London, GB
Our classic Art-Deco inspired cocktail cabinet is made with an antiqued mirror exterior and a dark-stained, lacquered walnut interior. Featuring four adjustable shelves, gallery rails, a soft close drawer, fridge and a black glass counter top...
Mirror, Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 32.29 in Dm 13.78 in
Rare 1920s Tabletop Drinks, Cocktail Cabinet with Revolving Inner Storage
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Rare & Quirky 1920s Cylindrical Drinks Cabinet Ideal for Cocktail Making Item has a door revealing a inner revolving storage section ideal ...
Aluminum
$16,678
H 55.12 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
French Luxury Bar Trunk with Cigar Humidor, Leather & Brass, 2025
Located in Sciez sur léman, Sciez sur léman
Discover the Prestige Cigar and Liquor Chest, an exceptional piece crafted entirely by hand. Its leather exterior and azure blue Alcantara interior give it an incomparable elegance. ...
Leather, Patent Leather, Poplar
Cocktail Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Inspired by our popular Trafalgar cocktail box, this elegant cocktail cabinet has been handcrafted in hand-dyed charcoal veneers of ripple and straight sycamore. The eglomisé surface has a nickel trim and is highlighted with mother-of-pearl champagne dots. The bleach ripple interior is lined with shelving designed for storing crystal and trays. Contains - six Trafalgar olive sticks, six magnetic coasters, silver ice tongs, silver cocktail swizzle stick...
Mirror, Sycamore
Quantum Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The charcoal oak exterior of this bar is segmented by a copper stringing pattern which directs the path of the wood grain. Within the bar, the copper shelving provides a striking con...
Copper
Caprea Low Bar
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
Limited Edition of 2. The Caprea Low Bar, crafted in dark grey Oak, polished metal, and ripple Sycamore, stands as a testament to design excellence. Its surface showcases a captivati...
Nickel
Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion
Located in London, GB
The Malcolm Appleby Shooting Companion is a breathtaking collaboration with master engraver, Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE. A striking pairing of Britain's Cr...
Gold Plate, Silver, Brass
Tectonic Bar
Located in London, GB
Exquisitely crafted in ebonised walnut with white gold effects and nickel accents, the Tectonic Bar embodies superlative quality and innovative design wh...
Walnut
Vortex Cabinet
By LINLEY London
Located in London, GB
The Vortex cabinet is as much a work of art and a puzzle as it is an item of furniture. Covered in a veneer of Sycamore and Santos rosewood, the marquetry design challenges the perceptions of a usual cabinet. An optical illusion with seemingly no discernible doors or drawers, beautiful in its own right but deceiving in its initial impression of functionality. With buttons hidden within the marquetry, the secret doors...
Rosewood, Sycamore
