ODE To Britannia

With a presence in Harrods and flagships the world over, Timothy Oulton, the furniture design company with an antique British flavour, opens its doors in the Capital’s Defence Colony. We speak to its founder, Timothy Oulton.

As the son of an antiques dealer who opened his first shop in 1976, in Hale, UK, Timothy Oulton grew up surrounded by them. He started working for his father Major Philip Oulton right out of boarding school, and began “reinventing” antiques for the wholesale market in 1990, opening his first retail space in Los Angeles in 2008.

Why the shift from antiques to retail?

I wanted to honour that same hand craftsmanship but make useful pieces that would work for modern lifestyles. An object with events it has witnessed, and stories behind it.

What did you like to collect when you were growing up?

I had a fascination for military drums as a child – that’s why the Drum collection is one of my favourites. It’s one of the world’s oldest musical instruments. I was steeped in the pageantry that goes with that profession. I love the old sports memorabilia as well, since I played rugby when I was young.

The first luggage collection that you did, can you tell us a bit about this?

I’ve always had a thing for vintage luggage. Some of the trunks are repurposed as coffee tables or side tables, and some like the Globetrekker range, we’ve evolved further into desks and bookcases. We only use the traditional craftsmanship methods, and every piece is authentically hand crafted like the original trunks would have been.

Where did you get the reclaimed wood you use in your furniture?