There are many things you consider before crafting your home. But it is your own history that guides your choices. Timothy Oulton, a high-flying furniture designer, shared his knowhow with Unnati Joshi
Sustainable furniture is a good conversation starter. Keeping a piece would make you the neighbour's envy. But for British furniture-maker Timothy Oulton, it's a way of staying rooted to his ancestors and keeping human civilisation alive. And he swears by the good earth. "We use reclaimed wood, much of which is taken from the roof beams and flooring of old buildings in the UK. The timber we use is up to a century old, so it's already settled into its own skin - its own patina. Once the wood arrives in our workshop, it gets graded and sorted to make new furniture. We take all the nails out by hand, which is a long process. About 400 nails need to be removed just to make one mirror. As far as production goes, handcraftsmanship is the heart of our company, I don't want this to change. It's why our pieces are so authentic, we use the old methods, simple tools. Human sensibility creates that unique character and distinctive individuality that can't be achieved any other way."
He seeks out pure, natural materials from whichever obscure corner of the globe, so long as it has the best quality. Some of these materials have already experienced a lifetime of use and are reclaimed and reshaped to begin their new chapter. Starting from scratch, the most precious ingredients are used to produce the most beloved finished pieces.
little wonder then that Oulton, whose works have been shorlisted for the best decor rankings worldwide, also believes in the classicism of design. All he does is reinterpret these designs with fresh, modern perspectives. "We blend ideas from the past with a modern twist, to create something fresh and exciting, infused with our own point of view. There's a very authentic quality to what we make; we use pure materials with character and soul," he told us.
Born in Manchester, England, Oulton's designs have a British frame to it. "Our designs have a strong British heritage but they are infused with a modern, global viewpoint that makes them relevant. This resonates with a certain type of person, whether he is in India or New York. It's about wanting to make your home a place to inspire you and somewhere to connect with friends and family."
We asked about the inspiration behind his designs and he lapsed easily into nostalgia. "A lot of my inspiration comes from really looking at things from the past. I grew up surrounded by antiques, really seeing the potential in them. I love flea markets. They are places full of history, full of things that have had another life and meant something to the people who used them. I find a lot of inspiration in that," he said.
Oulton's father, Major Philip Oulton, opened his antiques business in Britain in 1976. located in the village of Hale, near Manchester, he decided to name it Hale Antiques. The signer spelt it wrong, however, and Halo was born. Halo bought its first truck and signalled its enthusiasm with an offer emblazoned on its side: "We are keen to purchase the complete range of antiques."
At a boarding school run by Benedictine monks, young Oulton wandered its vast halls. The beauty of the school's old English leather furniture and antiques was to become entrenched in his mind. That deep-rootedness is what gave his wings flight.
While sensing the demand for sustainable designing, he became much more aware of the environment. "People are often attracted to the fact that we constructed the first ultra-low energy domestic passive house certified structure in China as a reflection of our sustainability approach. But it's bigger than that. For me, these examples are outcomes of a way of thinking: At a deeper level, we try to give thought and effort to make things that last using materials that have a timeless quality; and we try to ensure our approach leads to an increase in enduring value - for our staff, our suppliers, customers and surrounding community. We try to make responsible long-term choices - making things of robust materials wherever possible, including beautiful reclaimed wood which has irreplaceable inherent characteristics, that's part of our ethos. Our furniture should last for years, not just a season - We never chase trends, and so too should our relationships; with employees, suppliers, customers and the community. We strive to bring these lasting and enduring values to life in all aspects of our work."
When he makes a Mars chair, he cuts metal sheets using a laser. A bending machine curves the metal, with a high degree of skill needed to ensure a similar curve every time. The pieces are welded together and then polished for several hours. The wooden frame is assembled by hand before the leather upholstery is fitted.
Hand-tufting requires each button to be sewn individually to the sofa frame. Using an age-old skill, a needle and thread is used with absolute precision to ensure the buttons are securely attached in the correct position.
If hand-carving is involved, master craftsmen trace the template before sculpting begins. Respecting time-honoured techniques, the wood is slowly chipped away using a hammer and chisel. Using the most basic of tools and traditional techniques, each pin and stud is individually and painstakingly applied by hand, be it trunks, chairs and desks.
Oulton also shared his expertise about home designing and said, "Your home is your space. When you are creating your own environment you need to remember that. It's not about being on trend, it's about being yourself and creating an environment that inspires you, allows you to relax, makes you feel energised. You should choose pieces that make you feel good and make you feel like yourself. The things you like, you like for a reason. Trust your instincts."
(Oulton's first outlet in India has opened at Defence Colony)