Page 20 - September 2020

A Unique Combination you will never find something that no one else has seen. Timothy Oulton Bluebird Showroom
All interior photos are from
For the Timothy Oulton brand, this starts with the unique
London, UK
materials and finishes and goes from there.
“Our offer is not about the country you live in, it’s
more an attitude that we find in people the world over
– an entrepreneurial mind-set that is continually seeking
reinvention and relevance,” explains Oulton.
Driven by a passion for traditional handcraftsmanship and Everything the company does has a story behind it, and
because of this social media has become very important
a fearless quest for innovation, Timothy Oulton is known to them, however the store remains pivotal as they still
believe in people coming to stores and touching the real
for daring yet timeless furniture, lighting and accessories. products, having a real experience and feeling something
Here, RLI speaks to the man behind the brand to discuss that cannot be replicated with an online purchase.
“We try very hard to deliver a great experience in everything
how it has grown from its humble beginnings in 1976 to we do. We have a point of view that there is a character and
soul to what we do. The materials we use and the link to
its global footprint today. heritage and designs – that combination is unique. We can’t
appeal to everyone because that wouldn’t be authentic, but
the people who do love us remain loyal for life,” Oulton says.
The aim of the business is to create an experience which
resonates with people. The stores, the furniture, its hospitality
he Timothy Oulton brand began life back in In recent times, a new Timothy Oulton gallery has been projects, everything it does is a vehicle for delivering a visceral
1976 with a small antiques shop in Manchester opened in San Francisco, and they are also looking forward to experience that is designed to have an impact on customers.
that was owned by Tim’s dad. In later years, Tim launching their upcoming Glasgow store, which is due to open Looking forward, there is a desire from within for the
T took his passion for antiques and created an by the end of the month in Princes Square shopping centre, a company to move into more finished spaces. They want
authentic, visionary brand with the deepest integrity and high-end period building which suits the brand perfectly. to work on full spaces and they have all the materials to
determination to deliver the extraordinary. New materials and new experiences are always being do it – the wood, leather, marble, crystal and glass. They
Handcrafted with only the best traditional techniques explored by the company. For example, just last year they have already completed some fantastic projects such as
and fabrications, each Timothy Oulton piece is inspired by hosted a group of customers at a screening for the final the 1880 members’ club in Singapore, the San Kok Arts
the past, but reconceived with a modern twist, producing season premiere of Game of Thrones, and it got them showroom in China and the Glazebrook House Hotel in
uniquely authentic collections which push the boundaries thinking about the whole theme of binge watching, and in the UK and they want to do more of this in the future.
of furniture design. the current age of Netflix and home theatre, it got them “One of our biggest challenges is being distributed across
Today, the company is an international one and operates exploring how to further perfect the in-home movie the globe and keeping the experience 100 per cent consistent
40 stores across six continents and has a presence in the experience. They are all about trying to elevate the rituals for customers - it’s something we work extremely hard at.
UK, the east and west coasts of the US, Mexico, Hong of modern life to make them more enjoyable. Our flagship at Bluebird in London is magnificent and sets
Kong, Singapore, Australia and the Middle East. “In terms of new markets, we are always considering the benchmark. People walk in and think they’re in a bar
Like every business, Covid-19 has had a profound effect new territories and we have new galleries opening in the or club. I don’t want to be just an ordinary furniture store,
on the company and how it operates, but its core focuses US and Asia. We also have our first location in Germany I’m very passionate about giving people the best experience
remain unchanged. opening this month at the stilwerk centre in Hamburg. possible when they visit us,” concludes Oulton.
“I’ve always said you cannot influence market conditions, Germany is a market we’ve wanted to enter for a while
you can only concentrate on your business philosophy but it was a case of finding the right location.” “I’ve always said you cannot
and keep working,” explains Timothy Oulton, Founder Oulton believes that while they will also have classic
and Creative Director of the brand. “When stores were pieces, like the Saddle chair or the Westminster sofa, it is influence market conditions, you can
closed during lockdown we were hosting our customers crucial to innovate and he has been afraid to take risks. He only concentrate on your business
on Zoom for Friday night drinks, and I really enjoyed that explains that if you are not prepared to swim upstream,
face-to-face time with them.” while everyone else is going in the other direction, then philosophy and keep working”

Timothy Oulton Store
Hollywood Road, HONG KONG