If you have an eye for unique and eccentric, it’s time likely you’ve already heard of Timothy Oulton. This eccentric designer creates for sartorially savvy interiors with an emphasis on heritage and quality.
Timothy Oulton’s design heritage dates back to his childhood days in Manchester. It was here he grew up surrounded by antiques from his father’s business, Halo Antiques. He joined the family firm aged 18 and thus began his career in furniture.
Having originally envisaged himself going on to work in the City, the family business captivated Oulton. The exquisite antiques, and the meticulous, time-honoured hand-craftsmanship that accompanied them, intrigued him. This inspired his design approach and gradually began to characterise his collections. He explains that “exposure to the antiques industry at an early age introduced me to beautiful design. Being surrounded by great handcrafted products most of my life has definitely impacted how I produce my furniture.”
“I’ve always loved vintage luggage, imagining the journeys they’ve travelled, on long sea voyages or across countries on steam trains.”
Timothy Oulton
By scanning flea markets Oulton uncovered his instinct for finding the most beautiful pieces. This developed his love for antiques and helped him to recognise their limitations. After years in the antiques trade, Oulton repositioned the company to focus on furniture design. Today his brand handcrafts beautiful and practical furniture, inspired by the past but reimagined for the modern day.
“One of my favourite pieces is the original trunk that inspired the Globetrekker Collection. I’ve always loved vintage luggage, imagining the journeys they’ve travelled, on long sea voyages or across countries on steam trains. I found this particular worn-out trunk buried in a flea market. ‘Tom Richards’ was engraved on its brass plaque, and so I’ve often wondered about the adventures Tom would have had with his trunk.”
“What makes something beautiful is the attention it is given. Time and care and effort mean you always get something extraordinary.”
TIMOTHY OULTON
This free-spirited approach is reflected in Oulton’s collections, which look to timelessness with an enduring quality rather than seasonal trends. Inspiration comes from anywhere with many pieces, borrowing ideas from the past and infusing them with Oulton’s contemporary point of view. Inspiration includes 19th-century leather chairs, Art Deco lighting and the clean lines of mid-century modern design.
Despite now being an international brand with stores across the globe, Timothy Oulton’s guiding philosophy remains the same. “What makes something beautiful is the attention it is given. Time and care and effort mean you always get something extraordinary.”