Litton collection - Litton Furniture

12 September 2008.
THE LITTON COLLECTION LAUNCHES OCTOBER 16 - 19
A collection of fine furniture from two of Europe’s best known designers and an English cabinetmaker.
Two of Europe’s best known designers and a traditional English cabinetmaker have collaborated on a collection of
fine furniture to be launched at an exhibition in London from October 16 – 19. The Litton Collection, comprising
designs by Andrée Putman and Terence Conran and made by Dorset workshop, Litton Furniture, offers discerning
customers the best of British craftsmanship and European contemporary design. The exhibition will take place at 29
Thurloe Place, London SW7 2HQ at the same time as Frieze and DesignArt London which attract international
collectors of contemporary art and design.
Andrée, the “grande dame” of French design and Terence, the “godfather” of British design, were inspired by the
concept of bringing contemporary design to a traditional furniture workshop with exceptional cabinet making skills
and the opportunity to showcase a selection of beautiful and rarely used sustainable English timbers including bog
oak, walnut, rippled sycamore and burr ash. The collection, comprising 10 pieces, five by each designer, will be
made to order and available in a variety of materials and finishes. It will be sold through interior designers and
selected retail outlets.
Andrée’s collection, “Clin D’Oeil” (a wink), combines her outstanding sense of style with humour and an element
of surprise. Her five pieces include a dining table and upholstered chair, a semanier (seven drawer storage cabinet), a
low coffee table and a side table. Terence has adapted his design philosophy of plain, simple and useful to the
highest levels of luxury and craftsmanship in his “Franglais” collection. His five pieces include a storage cabinet, a
sofa and chair, a writing desk and a table.
Born in Paris Andrée Putman is internationally renowned for her stylish interiors and luxury products. Some of her
most significant projects include the Morgan’s Hotel in New York, the furnishings for the interior of the Concorde
for Air France and The Putman skyscraper in Hong Kong. As a designer she has created products for many
international luxury brands including Christofle, Bisazza, Louis Vuitton and most recently Swarovski.
As the founder of Habitat, Conran Restaurants, Conran & Partners and The Conran Shop, Terence Conran is one of
the world’s best known designers, restaurateurs and retailers. His designs have earned him a reputation over many
years for beautiful contemporary interiors, furnishings and products. Most recently he has been working on the
design of a new hotel, restaurant and cafe at Boundary Street in London’s Shoreditch opening later this year.
Litton Furniture was established in 1962 by a well known and respected cabinet maker Paul Litton. Over forty five
years Paul built up a team of dedicated and skilled cabinetmakers and upholsterers supplying luxury retailers and top
end interior designers with bespoke high quality furniture and interiors. In 2007 the business was taken over by
Benchmark, co-owned by Terence and furniture maker Sean Sutcliffe. The new owners are intent on bringing British
craftsmanship to the forefront of contemporary design and restating England’s heritage of great furniture making.
The Litton Collection launch at 29 Thurloe Place is supported by Brompton Estates. The Brompton Design
District, initiated by Brompton Estates and local organisations, began last year to increase the presence of new
design in an area renowned for its important design shops as well as its historic links with design and education
since the founding of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Royal College of Art 150 years ago.
Ends
Note to editors and stylists: High resolution images of the collection are available on request. A press briefing will
be held at 29 Thurloe Place, London, SW7 2HQ on October 15 2008 at 2.00pm at which the designers and makers
will be present along with all ten pieces. For further information please contact emmah@benchmarkfurniture.com,
tel 01488 608020, 07900 914883.
Terence Conran “Franglais” Collection
Canape Sofa
Canape sofa detail
La Plume de ma Tante desk
L’Arche cabinet, closed
L’Arche cabinet, open
Mon Oncle chairs, wool
Mon Oncle chair detail, leather
Le Cure tables
Le Cure Detail
Andrée Putman “Clin D’Oeil” (a wink) collection
Jack in the Box coffee table
My Tailor is Rich chairs
Pique Assiette dining table
Pique Assiette dining table and My Tailor is Rich chairs
Pique Assiette dining table, detail
Seven Secrets cabinet
Seven Secrets cabinet, open
Seven Secrets cabinet, detail
Trompe L’Oeil tables, mixed timbers