Consider it the ultimate royal seal of approval: When the young Linley founder, David Linley, made a decorative box as a teenager — a project he’d crafted at Bedales School that impressed his teacher — it was proudly passed around as a cigar box at parties by the Queen Mother. Of course, the royal treatment makes a bit more sense when you consider that the Queen was simply grandmother to the future furniture designer Linley, formally David Albert Charles Armstrong-Jones, second earl of Snowdon, son of Princess Margaret and photographer Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Born in London, Linley was creative from an early age — a characteristic eagerly encouraged at home with his parents and at Kensington Palace with the extended family. After completing his studies in carpentry and design at Parnham House in 1982, Linley set up his first studio. Within three years he had moved to King’s Road in Chelsea and, with his friend painter and designer Matthew Rice, officially cofounded Linley, a source for luxury furniture and accessories and bespoke carpentry and millwork.
The brand was a quick success. When Linley presented its first line at Christie’s in 1985 — a collection of furniture and more called “Venetian,” which was inspired by the Italian city’s grandiose Gothic architecture — the entire lot sold out on the day of its presentation. Besides Linley the brand being a commercial success, Linley the founder was somewhat of a marvel: At the time, the designer was the first of the royal family to undertake any sort of vocational work, let alone establish their own brand.
David Linley’s furniture has become known over the years for its fine craftsmanship, detailed marquetry and inlay and use of rare and exquisite woods. His tables, seating, other furnishings and decorative objects owe consistently to traditional methods and conventions as often as they do clean modernity. The designer has long looked to Chippendale furniture as well as other styles that gained prominence during the 18th century as much as he has toward the future.
Now, in addition to its furniture, accessories and custom millwork, Linley operates an interior design business, outfitting homes (and a few cars and yachts) in the brand’s singularly chic style. And while the company’s output is marked by style, craftsmanship still comes first: “I’m a maker, not a designer,” the earl once proclaimed.
Find a collection of David Linley furniture on 1stDibs.
Italian Mid-Century Writing Desk with Oyster Burl Veneer, 1950s
Located in Queens, NY
Italian Mid-Century rectangular writing desk with an oyster burl veneer and three drawers, resting on four sabre legs.
Wood, Burl
Edward Wormley Writing Desk for Dunbar, Mid-Century, Wood & Brass, 27
By Edward Wormley
Located in Queens, NY
"American Mid-Century writing desk with a rectangular top with a wooden frame and deep brown laminate desktop with three drawers with circular brass drawer pulls, resting on a brass ...
Metal, Brass
Hans Wegner Oak Desk for P.J. Møbler, 1970s Mid-Century Design
By P.J. Møbler, Hans J. Wegner
Located in Queens, NY
Mid-Century Danish (1970s) rectangular oak table desk having 4 pullout drawers with sculpted round knobs (the right drawer can be locked), and rounded corners resting on cylindrical ...
Brass
American Mid-Century Parsons-Style Rectangular Mahogany Partners Desk
By Parsons
Located in Queens, NY
American Mid-Century Parsons-style rectangular partners desk / table with three low-profile drawers on each side.
Wood, Mahogany
Italian Mahogany Table Desk by Gio Ponti, Mid-Century Modern, 1930s
By Gio Ponti
Located in Queens, NY
Italian 1930s mahogany table desk with geometric form legs with brass sabot feet and a single drawer with a stretcher (GIO PONTI - for the University of Prada)
Brass
Italian Mid-Century Modern Radius Writing Desk in Oyster Burl Wood
Located in Queens, NY
"Italian Mid-Century ""Radius"" writing desk with a rectangular top with rounded edges and two drawers, finished in oyster burl veneer and resting on four rounded triangular legs. V...
Wood, Burl
Mid-20th Century J.M. Frank-Inspired Wood Writing Desk by Comte S.A., Argentina
By Jean-Michel Frank, Adolphe Chanaux & Co., Comte S.A.
Located in North Miami, FL
Mid-20th century Modern wood writing desk by Argentine company Comte S.A., based on a design from Jean-Michel Frank and Chanaux & Co. By: Comte S.A., Jean-Michel Frank (In the style...
Metal, Enamel
Lawson-Fenning Niguel Writing Desk, Oak w/ Brass Details, Modern Office Desk
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Niguel writing desk features solid turned legs, brass cap feet and lacquered interior drawers. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, California....
Brass
Lawson-Fenning Niguel Writing Desk, Oak w/ Brass Details, Modern Office Desk
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Niguel writing desk features solid turned legs, brass cap feet and lacquered interior drawers. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, Californi...
Brass
French Directoire Style Writing Table, Desk in Cherrywood, 2 Drawers
Located in Pontaubault, NORMANDIE
This writing table is a handmade reproduction of the French Directoire style at the end of the 18th century. This period style is remarkable with its straight, classical and timeles...
Wood, Cherry, Oak
Mid-Century Modern Desk, Restored Beech & Mahogany, Italy, 1950s
By Non-Standard Furniture and Lighting
Located in Milano, IT
Scrittoio con cassetti sotto piano, legno massello di faggio tinto e impiallacciato legno di mogano, piano ricoperto in formica. Completamente restaurato.
Formica, Beech
Lawson-Fenning Niguel Desk, Oak with Brass Details, Modern Writing Desk
By Lawson-Fenning
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The Niguel desk features brass cap feet and a brass cross-stretcher with lacquered interior drawers. The Lawson-Fenning Collection is designed and handmade in Los Angeles, Californ...
Brass
