There’s Nothing Quite Like Timber with Lyndon Design

This month our material focus is on timber. We spoke to Tim Armitt, Managing Director of Lyndon Design, about Lyndon and how they use timber within their design process.

Please could you introduce Lyndon?

Originally founded in 1982, Lyndon has evolved over the years into a world-renowned brand of handcrafted upholstered seating and furniture, and is revered for its classic styles, high-end timber craftsmanship and bespoke designs. Every product is precisely designed and developed either in-house, or in collaboration with some of the most credible and award winning designers, including Mark Gabbertas, Nick Munro and David Fox. A popular specification across corporate, hospitality, and leisure sectors, the brand is seen adorning leading hotels, shopping centres, cinemas, and airport lounges, and increasingly prestigious corporate projects.

Making a strong design statement is an armchair from Lyndon’s Orten collection that is resplendent in red – one of the latest colours that can now be applied to Lyndon’s seating and furniture

Which timbers are used within the manufacture of Lyndon products and why have these been selected? 

Oak is the main timber that we use for our furniture as it conveys strength, durability, longevity and sustainability. It is totally in keeping with our brand ethos. By also introducing American Black Walnut to some of our collections, we can achieve a more dramatic aesthetic without compromising the quality of the timber. Beech is also another favourite of ours, and by adding various stains we can produce a wider palette of exciting colours.

With vibrant colours making a fashion come back, we have extended our collections to include painted timber frames. By applying colour to the underframe, table top, legs, and even the arms of timber frame seating, coloured timber furniture can be used to inspire emotions, create illusions such as a sense of space, or to simply just set the mood or atmosphere in a particular environment. Alongside standard colours, we also offer furniture frames in any RAL colour – a useful option when reflecting branding in interior design schemes.

Providing breakout comfort, Lyndon’s Callisto sofas and tables endorse the popularity of timber within the corporate environment

What accreditation do your timbers meet?

Whilst timber is one of nature’s most perfect renewable resources, it’s essential that we carefully manage its use to ensure future generations will have the opportunity to love it as much as we do. At Lyndon, we are committed to using sustainable materials and are FSC accredited (Forestry Stewardship Council). The company also has full membership of FISP – the revered Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme.

Bespoke armchairs complete with handcrafted tables and drinks shelf in Walnut adorn this luxurious cinema venue

Why is it important to your customers that you can supply furniture with an outstanding handcrafted timber framework?

There’s no other material quite like timber. Blending seamlessly with both contemporary and traditional styles, timber helps create a softer and more relaxed environment and its popularity has soared over recent years. It’s an essential material in the design and manufacturer of our own seating and furniture collections as nothing else exudes the richness, character, or warmth as the finest furniture made using quality timber. Our philosophy is the “Restless Pursuit of Excellence” and the use of timber fulfils the desire for handcrafted appeal, value, and environmental sensitivity. Combine that with beautiful leather or fabric and you have the perfect piece of furniture

Lyndon’s Diana armchairs offer a timeless appeal for restaurant dining. Manufactured from solid beech and stained to a specific colour, they are ideally suited to hotel cafés, restaurants and bars

What does your Design Team enjoy about designing timber products?

At Lyndon, we love challenges, and working with timber is always a challenge. Being a natural material, shades and grains can vary, and also our handcrafted approach requires meticulous attention to detail. The other challenge we face is that of designing timber products capable of meeting the latest design trends without sacrificing our principles of classic and elegant designs combined with high-end quality and craftsmanship.

Lovingly handcrafted from Oak are bistro tables and dining chairs in a Workcafé. These are from Lyndon’s Agent and Keats collection

Which of Lyndon’s furniture pieces are currently the most popular?

With the emergence of designated settings in the workplace, we are seeing Lyndon’s soft seating, modular seating and privacy booths widely specified throughout collaborative breakout and informal meeting areas, as well as reception and welcome spaces too. They are also a popular addition to corporate Workcafés that require informal seating with integrated technology to facilitate greater connectivity.

Agent high stools display the outstanding quality and attention to detail of Lyndon’s handcrafted timber seating and furniture