Global furniture and lifestyle brand, Timothy Oulton, introduces 4 new collections for 2014; Jet, Adventurer, Coastal Drift and Age of Elegance. In addition, the brand’s collaboration with Oxford University continues to develop unique and innovative designs in the Oxford by Timothy Oulton collection.
Each new collection has a clear and inspiring story behind it, from historical heroes Sir Donald Campbell and Biggles, to the escapism of coastal living and the glamour and elegance of Georgian England.
Timothy Oulton’s growing portfolio includes furniture, leather bags, premium bedding, kitchens and vintage one-off pieces.
The brand continues its plan of opening new stores in carefully selected ‘great cities’, with new stores recently opened in Saudi Arabia, Melbourne, Moscow, and Canada, and as well as second galleries opening in both Hong Kong and Amsterdam last month.
Timothy Oulton uses only the finest materials, from South American leather to century-old wood reclaimed from English distilleries. Every piece is expertly handcrafted down to the smallest detail by highly skilled artisans, using only traditional time-honoured techniques.
Tim says of the new collections: “Our 2014 collections are hallmarked with the same daring authenticity that we are synonymous with, but we’ve stretched it a little with the new collections. Age of Elegance is a little softer, and Coastal Drift a little more summery. I think people will be really excited to see a different side to us.”
About Timothy Oulton
Before he went into the antiques trade, Tim’s father was a major in the British Army. It’s from him that Tim got a taste for military pageantry (and a bit of a thing for drums). When he left school Tim thought he might end up becoming a man in a suit, but in that first summer when he worked for his dad’s antique business he got the bug. He fell in love with beautiful old things that carry secrets and stories in the leather and the wood, and there was no going back. Years of scanning flea markets uncovered Tim’s instinct for finding the most beautiful pieces. He loves antiques, but recognises their limitations. The Timothy Oulton vision is bigger than simply trading in old beauties. It is a passion to make beautiful and practical furniture, inspired by the past but re-visioned to be relevant for today.
Quality craftsmanship really matters, there are no cutting corners. The best quality leathers from South America are hand tumbled to a soft worn finish. Individually hand-tied spring systems ensure a secure and comfortable seat. Hand-stitching, traditional joinery and hand-tufting all take time. Tim says, “If it takes 12 days to make it, I’m drawn to it. The more intricate and detailed it is, the more authentic and unique it will be.”
Timothy Oulton cares about the provenance of the materials as much as the skills of its craftspeople. Reclaimed weathered timber might come from decommissioned Chinese fishing junks in the Axel range, or the century-old doors of an English distillery in the Salvage range. Pieces are designed to celebrate the history of the materials and to give them a second life, with imperfections and ‘signs of life’ considered by Tim to be marks of authenticity and soul.
2014 NEW COLLECTIONS
JET
The Jet Collection is inspired by an original people’s hero and debonair dare-devil; the great Sir Donald Campbell. Continuing his father Malcolm’s legacy, Donald became the only man in history to hold both land and water speed records in the same year. With their legendary Bluebird cars and boats, the Campbells combined those thoroughly British values of adventure and guts with a consuming passion and commitment.
A homage to Donald’s jet-propelled Bluebird, this collection breaks boundaries with a unique mix of products, demonstrating strong, audacious designs. Emphatically influenced by the world of speed racing, the underlying principles behind Jet are concentrated precision and meticulous handcraftsmanship, delivered with a high dose of deliberateness.
Signature Pieces
The Bendum sofa’s bold rounded lines invite you to get playful and cosy, shown above in Full Rebel leather. The Atom lighting collection, inspired by the structure of an atom around its nucleus, gives a sense of power and energy.
The Calcula themed room features Calcula seating, influenced by the famous Bauhaus Design movement. A modern masculine style is paired with curved, polished steel lines for a slick minimalist design.
Revisit groovier times with the Elevon range of cabinetry. Featuring burled walnut panelling trimmed with shiny steel banding and precision screw details. The circular Elevon dining table sets the tone for some serious entertaining.
When work feels like a wind tunnel, strap yourself down in a well-worn Union Jack Bandaged armchair, and glide effortlessly through the day with the Airfoil desk, finished in Timothy Oulton’s signature Spitfire finish inspired by the World War II fighter plane.
COASTAL DRIFT
A free-spirited collection inspired by carefree coastal living, for lazy days and endless summers.
The Coastal Drift collection is perfect for people who work hard and play hard, and need their home to be a cool, calm cocoon from their hectic life. The mood evoked is very much easy living, stylish yet unpretentious surroundings to kick back with friends in.
Timothy Oulton applies a fresh approach to traditional coastal living design, applying unique finishes like fossilized stone and acrylic. Super soft linens, hand-crafted drift wood and willow keep that authentic beach feel while innovative pieces give a quirky, contemporary edge.
Signature Pieces
Sink in to the Cloud sofa collection, in new Nimbus Pure finish, a super soft linen. Manipulate the over-sized cushions to your own comfort. The tear drop shaped Phylum pendant lights give a simple, stylish atmosphere.
The Breaker sofa collection is finished in brand new Virgin leather. Fitted raw leather is gathered at the seams, then hand pulled creating a bold yet clean finish in this compact sofa perfect to entertain.
The Arris range (shown left in console and coffee table) is aptly named after the arris – an architectural term for a sharp edge formed by the intersection of two surfaces. Sleek angular shapes, clean lines and symmetrical design make these pieces bold, stylish and elegant.
The Castaway range pairs beach wood with brushed aluminium. Soft rounded lines are contrasted with wrapped wood highlighting the beauty of this authentic collection. Each slat is individually nailed by hand.
Spend casual evenings with friends, catching up around the Boston dining table, made from rustic weathered oak with a smooth Aero top. The Shaka dining chair has style in spades, with exquisite detailing including metal rivets around the chair skirt and blanket stitching on the arm rests. The Axel square mirror, created from reclaimed timber from Chinese fishing junks, has been updated in a white washed finish.
ADVENTURER
Red blooded men have been captivated by the great literary hero Biggles since 1932, when the first of these iconic books was published. The Adventurer collection is affectionately inspired by the escapades of this rugged yet thoroughly gentlemanly British hero. Celebrating the idea of exploration, imaginative designs explore the unknown, to inspire today’s fearless adventurers on their next journey.
Authentic Timothy Oulton handcraftsmanship blends oriental and British designs, with bold combinations like metal and sheepskin. Vintage-inspired designs are reworked to produce robust, enduring pieces full of guts and glory. ‘Tally Ho’ old chap and buckle up for the ride.
Signature Pieces
Daring design meets classic comfort with the Explorer sofa range (above). Wrapped in Timothy Oulton signature Spitfire with soft leather rolled tubes perfectly lined down the seat front. The Faraday Pendant light is a homage to Michael Faraday, with its glass cloche and outer metal cage.
Relax in the Professor chair (left) in Mad Scarecrow – a brand new finish with a raw, rugged look. The top side of the seat cushion is finished in 2 Faced Sheepskin, reminiscent of the lining of old flying jackets. Make an impression with the Starlet mirror lamp collection (left) in four different sizes.
The Charlie dining chair (right) has a sophisticated low profile, wrapped completely in leather with subtle woven leather details at the seat base.
The beauty of reclaimed railway wood salvaged from old railway sleepers collected from exotic corners of the globe shines through the Tracks range including dining and console table (shown left). The soft hand-pulled leather of the Ruffed dining chair envelops you in high luxury.
Celebrate the nostalgia of an age of elegance and optimism with the new Age of Elegance collection. Old style glamour is gloriously mixed with a spirit of frivolity and freedom reminiscent of the Roaring
1920’s. The excitement of the Jazz Age is captured; a time of extravagant style parties and anticipation for a future full of promise. Eclectic design influences include the rustic curves of French country, the geometric shapes of Art Deco, and the refined romance of English gentry.
Vintage pieces are reworked with new, thoughtful details to harness unapologetic opulence with thoroughly modern values. For idealists with a deep love of art and literature, who share an adoration of glamour with a playful spirit.
A range of sofas are available in a brand new Scuffed Linen finish, made from twice washed and treated hemp to reveal a soft and gentle texture. The Elegant Maple and Elegant sofas (shown above) are rooted in classic design with quality, durability and modern comfort. The glamorous Rex lighting adds drama and style.
The Crystaline Arris collection, shown here in the desk, is named after the arris – an architectural term for a sharp edge formed by the intersection of two surfaces. Defined by everlasting quality, the Crystaline Arris range uses exceptional UV resistant acrylic, impervious to light and clearer than glass. The striking A-Frame shape is topped with a sheet of glass acrylic and black smoked glass for an added dose of glamour.
The Zig Zag lighting collection features delicate spheres of optical grade glass around an intricate metal skeleton. The carefully constructed design forms exquisite, almost kaleidoscope-like patterns when looking through the light.
Originating during the French Regency period of Louis XV, the classic Bombee has been given a rugged new life in the Timothy Oulton Bombee chest, gilded either in Scarecrow leather with a honed marble top (shown above) or aluminium Spitfire for a daring contemporary look. The big, bold and beautiful lines of the Bombee are offset by the delicate cabriole legs. German engineered drawer gliders give world class functioning.
OXFORD BY TIMOTHY OULTON
In a clever collaboration, leading lifestyle and furniture company Timothy Oulton has teamed up with the University of Oxford. Drawing inspiration from Oxford’s eight centuries of tradition, this premium collection exhibits top quality materials and an appreciation of the university’s heritage.
From the belted crest, to the boating and sporting stripes, this unique collection features fine finishes thanks to the use of quality leather, luxurious velvets and linens and exuberant colours. Some are more studiously traditional, others as whimsical and iconoclastic as a student revue, but every piece bears the hallmark daring design and authenticity of the Timothy Oulton brand.
New product highlights for 2014:
The Oxford Secretary Trunk features a fold out desk, and hidden compartments to protect the most sensitive of documents. While the Oxford Study Trunk provides a versatile space for books, found objects and treasures collected on life’s adventures.
The striking Butterfly Range pays homage to the entomological displays at Oxford’s Museum of Natural History and the Van Cassel paintings in The Ashmolean. An extraordinary array of butterfly and beetle specimens have been carefully preserved within the clear acrylic glass tops of the coffee table, dining table and console.
The Test Tube Lighting Collection is inspired by the glassware used in many of Oxford’s science labs, concentric tiers of real laboratory glass test tubes reflect abundant light and colours.
The Bursar is not one of the best-known members of college staff, but they are certainly one of the most important, in charge of the college purse-strings. The Bursar’s Chair creates a comfortable and supportive environment for major decisions and strategic thinking.
The four new collections, as well as the new products range for Oxford by Timothy Oulton, will be available in Timothy Oulton galleries from mid-February.
