What is British style? To us, British style blends an eccentricity and inventiveness with an enduring nostalgia for heritage, tradition, and craftsmanship.
British Icons of Design
Often, it is the eclectic and the eccentric that plays a role in
British design, perhaps best summarised in our Westminster Jack'dN
Brok'n sofa: a beautifully handcrafted, modern take on a
traditional chesterfield sofa - one of the great British icons of
design - reinvented with a dash of distinctive British humour and
irreverence.
Westminster Jack'dN Brok'n
Westminster
Button 1-seater sofa pictured, overpainted by hand with the
Union Jack graphic and then distressed on the finished piece.
Regiment Drum side
tables inspired by British military drums used in the 1800s,
and Crystal
lamps inspired by Georgian chandeliers.
Saddle Chair
Handcrafted in quilted leather, inspired by equestrian heritage
and countryside pursuits. The Saddle Chair's silhouette is created
using a lightweight fibreglass frame, generously padded for comfort
and clad in hand-distressed leather. Actual stirrups are added
either side for a playful touch.
ECCENTRICITY AND INVENTIVENESS BLENDS WITH AN ENDURING NOSTALGIA FOR HERITAGE
The role of tradition and heritage in British design
Our founder Tim started out in his dad's antiques shop, where he
fell in love with British design and craftsmanship - things that
were built to last for generations.
Trunks had a particular impact on Tim: "The leather on the
suitcases had taken on a beautiful sheen from the greases and waxes
that had built up over time due to constant handling, and scratches
had been collected as mementos from each journey. I just loved the
handcraftsmanship. I was amazed at the quality of the stuff that
the British made over 300 years, the incredible detail that went
into each trunk - right down to the locks and handles."
regiment drum side tables
British design is often touted for its focus on fine
craftsmanship. Everything we make at Timothy Oulton is built by the
touch of the craftsman's hand. Pictured: Viscount William 1-seater sofa, a
classic leather chair with hand-studded detailing. Regiment Drum side tables
are a nod to Tim's father Major Philip Oulton, and the pageantry
that Tim grew up with.
BRANCO CHAIR
It takes much longer of course, but everything worthwhile takes
effort. It's the detailing - the hand-studding, hand-tufting,
hand-finishing, that gives each piece its unique authenticity.
Pictured: Branco
chair with scalloped detailing inspired by a Georgian nursing
chair, Paris Trunk in
Moo, and Gyro Crystal
chandelier.
TRANSLATING QUINTESSENTIALLY BRITISH FEATURES TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE
British heritage has always been a big influence for us -
whether it's in the design or the materials - but we put our own
twist on it. Our ethos is rooted in the idea that beautiful
interiors support the creation of hosted and social experiences,
and that's something that resonates with people across the globe
who are hungry for inspiration and energy, who appreciate
authenticity, and who aren't afraid to subvert the norm.
