Synonymous with elegant, timeless statement pieces inspired by nature, Villiers furniture creates bespoke furniture akin to works of art. Forged sculptures, hand-built designs and custom furniture are all lovingly crafted to create one-off pieces that can be found worldwide, from the finest hotels and private residences to yachts and luxury spas.
Handmade in England, this family-owned company takes pride in its work and remains committed to producing designer furniture in a traditional way and with first-class materials and metals, including; glass, granite, limestone, marble and bronze.
By creating thought-provoking designs with exquisite attention to detail, Villier’s furniture is not only beautiful but solid and functional. Their company motto states, “Villiers furniture is handmade to order and built to last.”
FOUR speaks to founding member Tim Villiers about how Villiers Furniture came to be and what it takes to produce consistently striking results with a flawless finish.
Can you explain your background and how you got furniture and homeware design and making?
Villiers’ furniture originates from a history of creativity and being lucky enough to have had a workshop at home from our early childhood days. My Father was a toy designer, constantly creating new inventions. Over the years, he also encouraged his three boys to either design or make, facilitating us with enthusiasm and encouragement and offering us the workshop facilities.
What was the inspiration for creating Villiers Furniture?
During our mid-twenties, the Villiers brothers decided to pool together our creative strengths to develop the foundations of what is today’s Villiers Furniture. With each having accomplished skill sets in areas including shipbuilding, graphic design, and stage and set building, we decided it would be truly special to combine this knowledge to create something unique and long-lasting. We continued on this path for the next thirty years, working together to develop and refine the concept.
How have the brand and the collections evolved since you started in 1989?
We added to our products year on year by producing a range of items; for example, a console table design lent itself to a mirror and wall lights. A coffee table design could morph into a dining table, side table, console table, etc.
How would you describe Villiers’ products and philosophy to people who have never seen them?
Villiers design timeless pieces made from the best materials to the highest standards. Our pieces will last millennia, so they are also sustainable and future-proof.
How long does it take to go from design to creating/making the products?
Villiers is constantly working on bespoke and new initiatives. All our pieces can be customised to our client’s specifications, size and finishes. Clients can specify their requirements, samples sent, and Photorealistic renders produced prior to manufacturing.
In your opinion, what makes Villiers’ products different from other British-made furniture?
Villiers are the equivalent of Savile row tailors in the furniture industry.
Do you have any sort of signature style or standout feature?
Our finishes plus high standards of craftsmanship set us apart. All our items are made and finished in the UK by ourselves, flying the flag for British-made, high-end metal furniture.
How important is it for you to champion local artisans, craftsmen and components?
We constantly endeavour to source our materials and skill sets as close to our workshop as possible.
What have you been working on recently?
Villiers’ most recent initiative is to explore the big outdoors, producing landscape lighting and architectural sculptures. We have also initiated a collaboration with award-winning Artist Matt Hill from Australia. Some of his stunning pieces will be available in the northern hemisphere, made by Villiers under license.
Where do you get inspiration from?
Everything one sees in life, inspiration is never far away. Nature, art over the centuries, plus more recent and current work. Blue sky thinking. Thinking outside the box always helps to get the creative juices flowing; from there, new ideas can gel together and embrace new technology.
Do you have an all-time favourite piece or current favourite design?
My current favourite design piece is inspired by a sculpture I designed in 2014 called the Jules Sculpture. This piece has two contrasting surface finishes, bright polished stainless steel with a contrasting etched Rust patina. The New Piece is a Console table, a rectangular cube with cuts out cone section shapes, highly polished with a contrasting shattered bronze texture finish to all other faces. The console will be launched at this year’s Decorex International Interior Design Show at Olympia, London, in October 2022.
Name an iconic piece that you wish you had designed?
The Angel of the north by Anthony Gormley is always a favourite, as is Anish Kapoor’s Sky Mirror – so simple in concept, beautifully made. It reflects the sky above it, and it’s so well made it’s almost invisible. I actually think it looks like our planet, the Blue world, has just landed on the ground just a few yards away. It is truly stunning on a blue sky and puffy cloud day.
What’s next for Villiers Furniture?
Looking forward to the big outdoor world of opportunity with sculptural pieces. Landscape lighting, as well as new furniture pieces. We are always looking for new surface finishing ideas.
For more information, visit the website at www.villiers.co.uk/ or email directly at hello@villiers.co.uk