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The story of Timothy Oulton started back in 1976 with an antiques shop owned by Tim's father. As it turned out, Tim had inherited his father's eye for beauty and detail. His innate ability to see artistic value and the essence of perfection in a product's design became the starting point for everything new. Today, that legacy of creativity continues with Tim's son Oli.
"We're not purely a design company per se, it's more than that, it's about the craftsmanship, the materials, the story." Tim Oulton
1976
With an intention to provide a good education for his sons Tim and Charlie, Major Philip Oulton opens Halo Antiques in the village of Hale near Manchester.
1984
Tim leaves school at 18, and forgetting to submit the papers to secure a university place and a career in the City, he takes a summer job with his dad, reporting to Eddie Salvage hands. Tim becomes captivated by the world of antiques.
1990
Six years later, with a love of antiques under his skin and an apparent eye for design, Tim takes the helm at Halo. Realising the limits of antiques as a business, he starts making reclaimed timber and leather furniture. Ideas are borrowed from the past, but reinvented with a daring modern energy.
2012
The secret to Timothy Oulton's unique customer experience is our Boarding School, attended by all staff and partners. An all-immersive, world-class training programme where attendees meet the designers and craftsmen, and graduate as a brand expert.
2014
Tim co-founds TO Studio with Simon Laws, a turnkey bespoke design practice dedicated to the creation of incredible environments. Projects include 1880 Members Club in Singapore and the Apollo, a replica of the NASA lunar module rendered as an intimate lounge.
2022
Tim's son, Oliver Oulton, takes the reins as Creative Director and continues his father's legacy to create extraordinary experiences through epic product design.