Ercol furniture history timeline. Extra support is added by The ercol Evergreen chair has been in production since it was designed in the 1950’s. With the opening of our flagship store in London and an expanding range of British-made furniture, we are proud to lead the way in sustainable manufacturing, bringing timeless design and local craftsmanship back to its roots. 1920 Established, with support from a number of interested parties, the business of Furniture Industries; it employed 20 men in premises off the London Road. The design has now been reinterpreted and the collection focuses on this heritage to create a range that has elegant tapering legs, oak spindles and deep functional storage. And to give every piece Step into the world of 1960s Ercol furniture, where elegance and functionality intertwine. Reimagined for the present day this piece is designed to sit in any room across the home, crafted from solid oak. Find out The Aldbury chair features ercol’s signature steam bent back, leading into an arm bow combined with spindle supports and classic ercol shaped legs. It was established by Lucian Ercolani and his sons in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and is now based in Princes Risborough. In 1939, during the war, the ercol factory worked for the government, making 25,000 tent pegs a day, as well as munitions boxes Welcome to ercol, a brand steeped in a rich history of craftsmanship and design excellence since its establishment in 1920 by Italian designer Lucian R Ercolani in High Wycombe, the centre of English furniture making. Description Inspired by the iconic ercol Studio Couch designed by the company's founder Lucian Ercolani in the mid 1950's, the Hexton medium sofa has been brought up to date by incorporating fully upholstered cushioning to create a comfortable modern sofa. [citation needed In January 2022 ercol welcomed the BBC2 Team from ‘Inside the Factory’ to our Factory and Offices in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. Parker Knoll Frederick Parker started his chair making business in 1869 in a simple workshop in London. Discover the story behind Ercol and delve into the unique characteristics that make its pieces so sought-after. True to our founder’s vision, while moving with the times. We are extremely proud to present the new ercol catalogue showcasing the trends that we have identified for 2025 using finish, natural textures and organic shapes maintaining a continued harmony throughout our collections and catalogue. Find top brands, exclusive offers, and unbeatable prices on eBay. Marlia combines an elegant oak show wood frame with deep, supportive cushions. The solid oak seat is sculptured to provide a comfortable sit at a dining table or anywhere in the home. There is also an archive with some old Ercol brochures here and we’ve recently posted an article on our Stories about the history of Ercol. Country of Romana’s smooth, organic lines and deceptively understated design belie a wealth of complexity. Tactility. Its steam-bent ash frame is constructed using traditional techniques and the Evergreen cushions offer optimum support and comfort. Inside the ercol Factory In January 2022 ercol welcomed the BBC2 Team from ‘Inside the Factory’ to our Factory and Offices in Princes Risborough, Buckinghamshire. When Frederick Parker and Sons Ltd started working with Willi Knoll, they embraced a radical Ercol Furniture Ltd | 7,408 followers on LinkedIn. Created by our founder, Lucian Ercolani, the Windsor chair has undergone subtle changes over the years. Ercol flourished throughout the 1950s and 1960s, at its peak employing 800 people and producing 2,000 pieces of furniture a day, some made from elm and beech harvested from Hertfordshire woodlands owned by the company. He was intent on designing and producing relevant and honest furniture, design and people were the cornerstones of his company from the very beginning. That approach is perfectly exemplified in our new Heritage range. Today, ercol remains a family-owned business, with Lucian’s grandson and great-grandson actively Jul 3, 2012 · The furniture design timeline above outlines some of the most important periods in the history of furniture design. The solid oak seat is sculptured to provide a comfortable sit. Designed in the 1950's by ercol’s founder the Evergreen has been in constant production ever since. This iconic British furniture brand has left an indelible mark on the world of design. The wonderfully comfortable chair has a steam bent bow which arches gracefully to create the classic high back. A home within your home, and a domain of activity and productivity. Read more about the Forestry Commission's full case study here. Welcome to the ercol outlet store. Added detail is created by exposed dovetail joints on the cabinet drawers, resulting in features that are tactile by nature and relaxed in style, ideal for modern living. A Timeless British Brand ercol History ercol was established over 100 years ago in 1920 by Italian designer Lucian R Ercolani in High Wycombe, the centre of English furniture making. Jul 29, 2025 · With a legacy spanning over 100 years, ercol has long been synonymous with craftsmanship, quality, and innovation in British furniture manufacturing. This classic piece of furniture comprises of three individual tables with the smaller tables slotting neatly underneath the larger ones, perfect for saving space. The Chairmakers Rocking Chair features a traditional spindle backrest with eight, finely-tuned spindles and durable, solid wooden legs that grant the chair a range of movement, allowing users to lean back and enjoy the simple pleasure of sitting in a rocking chair. Previously the Shalstone bedroom collection. Description In 1956 Lucian Ercolani designed the Chairmakers Rocker, an example of classic Windsor craftsmanship. Slightly more formal in style than the Alia chair, its back has nine slim slats curving inwards to support the back. And there’s a satisfying link going back to the chair’s origins – Ercol’s factory at Princes Risborough nestles at the base of the Chiltern Hills, where the bodgers of the 18th century used to ply their trade. The shape and design of the ercol Shalstone living and dining collection echoes ercol’s desirable original furniture designs, reinterpreted exclusively for John Lewis. Our Aosta range takes its name from the Alpine valley in north-western Italy, famous for its magnificent mountain scenery. Shop now for fast shipping and easy returns! Often while researching furniture design, people do not know exactly which designer they are looking for, when the designer lived, in what country, or how most furniture historians describe the designer’s style. The in-house design team work to create modern furniture collections for every room in the home. Today ercol is at the forefront of British furniture, esteemed for their innovative use of high quality, natural wood. Integrity. We also work with our manufacturing partners around the globe, from Europe to the Far East, working to ercol’s design principles and standards. In 1932 Lucian was offered the opportunity to take over a very well-known high class chairmakers, Skulls and this was the perfect opportunity to expand his business. A modern recliner with integral head and footrests, Ginosa stays true to ercol design principles with its exposed solid-oak arm frame detail. The nest was designed in the mid 1950’s by ercol’s founder Lucian Ercolani, the coffee table is a larger stand alone or combination piece that offers a simple and distinctive design which reflects the design heritage of this piece. Its clean, elegant silhouette perfectly complements other ercol furniture collections, and makes it suitable for any setting. Oct 23, 2024 · Founded in the early 20th century, Ercol has played a significant role in shaping modern British interiors. Dec 17, 2024 · Parker Knoll and Ercol are two examples of quality British furniture brands whose collections are designed and crafted in England. Description A contemporary style recliner, with a modern look focusing on tailored leather or fabric, combined with a timber element which has been incorporated into the design creating a clean, elegant silhouette. Inspired by our mid-century design heritage and made in Britain using the latest machinery alongside time honoured traditional methods, behind every piece of the ‘ercol for John Lewis’ collection is timeless design and traditional craftsmanship. Furniture Industries Limited made steady progress and gained a reputation for good quality work, rebranding as ‘Ercol’ in the mid-1930s. Ercol chairs were first introduced in the 1920s, these chairs use clean lines, curved backs, and often uses traditional techniques like wedge joints. Designed to inntegrate seemlessly into contemporary interiors, the relaunch reflects our century-old commitment to making furniture with intention and integrity that stands the test of time. Bienenstock Furniture Library offers this reference to help you to find the design information you seek. This contemporary armchair complements our Living collections perfectly thanks to its solid oak legs, giving a nod to mid-century design style, whilst being intrinsically ercol. Purity. Photograph ©Flickr Inc. The company’s pre-World War Two designs followed the pattern of other large Wycombe companies. For over 100 years design has been at the heart of ercol. Read. Think. The shape and design of the ercol Winslow bedroom collection was inspired by an ercol dressing table, first designed in 1956 by Lucian Ercolani, ercol's founder. Description The Heritage armchair has a striking graphic profile, as with the Heritage chair it feature ercol's iconic tapering legs and elegant spindle back combined with an elegant smooth curved top rail to create an encompassing outline. May 3, 2022 · Designing some of Britain’s most quintessential furniture pieces, including the 1956 Loveseat, Studio Couch and Butterfly Seat, Ercol furniture is still as celebrated today as it was 70 years ago. Data sheets for all our current furniture can be downloaded from here. The catalogues also provide a fascinating insight into changes over the decades in style and the way we live. Have a seat. These chairs are iconic pieces of British furniture. Beneath the catalogue archive you will also see that we have uploaded some other publications that we think you'll enjoy - like books of photos from the 1920s of our old factory Jan 31, 2020 · Edward Tadros, chair of Ercol and grandson of founder Lucian Ercolani, with a painting of his father and uncle, who also worked at Ercol. Pattern placement, exact colour and texture of a fabric can vary from this. The Fairmile is made from solid British ash in ercol’s Princes Risborough factory. Made in pale oak and incorporating elements of the perennially popular Shaker style, Teramo is a highly adaptable range. Ercol is a British furniture manufacturer. The history of Ercol furniture is one of grit, talent and determination. History Origins In 1944, Ercol was contracted by the government's Board of Trade to produce 100,000 low-cost Windsor chairs under the Utility Furniture Scheme. Nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to limit any statutory rights you might have as a consumer Expressions used in Throughout our long history, our range has constantly evolved, while staying true to our founding principles of design and craftsmanship. Find out more about the Characteristics of Oak on our FAQs ercol has been designing and manufacturing furniture in Buckinghamshire since its formation 100 years ago in 1920. [2] Windsor chairs were constructed with a bentwood frame and an arched back supporting delicate spindles, using the steam bending of English elm – a wood previously thought impossible to bend because it distorts. Always in tune with changing needs and desires. Description This mid century design of ercol collection coffee table has a smooth organic shaped surfaced with the added detail of individually shaped spindles that construct the lower shelf. The range is available in static and motion options, with the motion version having a USB port also. He played an active part in the Furniture Industry, being a founder member of the industry's guild, the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and its Master for 1957-58. This table can be finished in your choice from a range of lacquer finishes that both Chairmakers Relaunch To celebrate the Chairmakers relaunch, we our introducing our new vintage stain, referencing the chair's rich history. Founded by Lucian Ercolani, an Italian-born furniture designer, Ercol has become synonymous with craftsmanship, quality, and timeless design. This blog delves into the history of Ercol furniture, its influence on furniture design, and its continued relevance in today’s homes. So, to identifying an original Ercol chair is also necessary. Description The fluid curves and tapered legs of the 'pebble' nest of tables, offer a simple and distinctive design, that reflect the heritage of this piece first created in the 1950's. There’s a similarly striking quality to our Aosta furniture collection, with its refined design and neat proportions. If you’d like to find out more about Ercol’s history, there is a really interesting timeline over on their website. He prided himself on designing and developing the finest furniture. A British brand, all of our ranges are designed and developed by our in-house design team based in Princes Risborough. Do you own Ercol furniture that's in need of some TLC? Whatever the model, we'd love to give your chairs the Reloved treatment. Drawing on ercol's long design legacy these pieces have been created by ercol's In- house design team to sit along side a variety of furniture to create a modern eclectic look. Oct 6, 2023 · Ercol chairs are known for their unique design. The nest of tables can be finished in a wide Description The fluid curves and tapered legs of the ercol Collection 'pebble' nest of tables, has inspired a new coffee table. Jan 8, 2025 · Understanding the history of furniture, from ancient civilizations to modern design can help identify the pieces you own and, perhaps, the pieces you want. Here you can find great value on returned products, seconds, ex-display items and discontinued pieces. First produced in the 1960's this table is as practical as ever with a handy storage area for books and magazines. . These terms tell you who we are, how we will provide Products to you, how you and we may change or end the contract, what to do if there is a problem and other important information. The Heritage collection features the character and handwriting that is synonymous with ercol's mid-century identity. The Fairmile collection is made using British-certified ash as part of our partnership with Grown in Britain. Drawing on the combined strength of our people, values, and expertise, our collective of brands comes together to design the world we live in. Please tick if you feel this may be of interest to you. Stories Keep up to date with design trends, style ideas and inspiration and all that is happening at ercol. Lucian’s vision was clear – to craft furniture that is relevant and honest. About ercol About ercol Our History ercol Timeline Our Designers Archive Showroom We hope you've enjoyed looking back over some of our favourite Ercol makeovers. This timeline shows the main events associated with ercol from the birth of Lucian Ercolani in the 1880s, it depicts key moments in ercol’s history and presents photos from our archive. The ercol Outlet at our Factory and Showroom is open Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm. Founded in the 1920s, Ercol combined craftsmanship with innovative machining to produce beautiful and functional furniture. ercol may pass your details to carefully selected third parties, including local ercol stockists, in order to make you aware of other products and services. Our partnership ensures our British ash is responsibly and sustainably grown. Recalling our designs of the mid 20th century, it’s crafted in light oak, with sculpted curves, flush surfaces and soft-close drawers and doors. Ercolani was very much an outsider - he introduced innovations such as putting machine belts below the floor for safety. Central to this enduring success is the company’s commitment to nurturing talent through a robust apprenticeship programme. Find out more about the Characteristics of Oak on our FAQs page. Here at ercol we are delighted to announce that we have been working closely with John Lewis to design a new exclusive collection for them ‘ercol for John Lewis’. Before ordering, we recommend viewing the fabric and wood finish in store and ordering samples to view at home. Surrounded by the warmth of timber. , commonly known as Ercol, is a British furniture company with a rich history spanning over a century. Named after a beautiful coastal village in northern Sicily, our Mondello range of sofas, armchairs and a matching footstool, is the ultimate in comfort, with a classic appeal it allows you to recline effortlessly. Heritage is a complete range of furniture including a dining chair, armchair, counter stool and two loveseats, all created to work beautifully anywhere in the home. Available in two modern finishes dead matt lacquer or striking black and in fabrics from the Description The Teramo dining chair in pale oak is timelessly elegant. A genuine design classic, made in solid ash, its simple, elegant outlines and signature handles remain as fresh and appealing as ever. | Design has always been at the Explore a wide range of our Ercol Furniture selection. The seat is made from supportive foam and the back cushion is constructed of a range of foams which provides an upright, supportive sit. Settle down. Nov 21, 2023 · In this post, we dive into the rich history of this celebrated furniture maker – from humble beginnings to iconic status. A collection of key mid-century pieces designed by ercol's founder Lucian Ercolani, the ercol Collection consists is a core collection of core furniture that show case modern precision technology combined with traditional furniture craft. Description The Heritage chair feature ercol's iconic tapering legs and elegant spindle back combined with a smooth curved top rail curved to create an elegant profile. Windsor has been in continuous production since its creation by our founder, Lucian Ercolani, in the 1950s. Interested in an original Ercol piece? These terms Please read these terms carefully before you submit your Order to us. Design for comfort, design for function and design for beauty. It has everything you need to create a modern, casual look, or something slightly more classical and formal, paired here with Ballatta. Converse. Original Ercol pieces are crafted using traditional methods and durable hardwoods Sep 26, 2024 · The Stacking Chair designed for schools and meeting rooms, 1957. An occasional chair which comes in a choice of finishes and modern fabrics that can sit in any room. Settle in, hunker down and focus. Furniture company ercol is responsible for some of Britain’s most recognisable design ercol are also proud to be FISP (Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme) certified, showing our ongoing commitment to driving down our environmental impacts, whilst increasing our community outreach programs through charity and apprenticeship collaborations. Read our privacy notice. In the late-1940s, Ercolani developed his range of mass-produced Ercol furniture, which became a household name in post-war Britain, and which continues today. These values are at the heart of Ercol, a global design brand dating back to 1920. If you have an old piece of ercol furniture that you wish to identify, then here is the ideal place to look. Available in a choice of wood For over 100 years design has been at the heart of ercol. Each piece features the beautiful wedge joint that create design interest and strength. Since the 1920s the Windsor has been part of Ercol’s identity, and now a whole range of Ercol Windsor furniture is available. Ancient Egyptian Furniture ( 3000 - 2000 BC) Ancient Greek Furniture (2000 - 300 BC) Medieval Furniture ( 500 - 1450 AD) At ercol, we create quality furniture that is stylish and practical with designs and collections evolving over the years. This timeline shows the main events associated with ercol from the birth of Lucian Ercolani in the 1880s, it depicts key moments in ercol’s history and presents photos from our archive. Cushions are held within the statement curved show wood frame ends that include a steam bent top rail created by ercol's expert craftsmen ercol History ercol, was established over 100 years ago in 1920 by Italian designer Lucian R Ercolani in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, the centre of English furniture making. ercol Catalogues View or download our catalogues and guides using the links below, or request a hard copy from your local retailer. Aldbury Amalfi Ancona Aosta Ashridge Chair Assendon Ava Ballatta Bellaria Bellingdon Bix Bosco Bosco bedroom Chairmakers Chair Cosenza Enna ercol collection Eterna Evergreen Fairmile Forli Ginosa Hazlemere Heritage Hexton Highmoor Hug Ibstone Kensworth Lugo Marinello Marino Marlia Mattresses Mondello Monza Noto Rimini bedroom Romana Salina The Heritage collection of signature pieces were inspired by the ercol 333 chair designed and created by ercol's founder Lucian R Ercolani. Available in two modern finishes dead matt lacquer or striking black and in fabrics from the ercol collection. Steve Dover – a memory of half a century Read more Design, Inspiration ercol style pod: a mindful reimagining of our living spaces Read more Design Finding the Perfect Storage Furniture Read more Design, Inspiration The Ultimate Relaxed Dining Table - With Ideas to Steal Read more Heritage 100th Anniversary Launch: The 467 Windsor Cabinet Ercol Furniture Ltd. Most notably, it’s now made entirely in solid ash, whereas early models had an elm seat, with the other parts made from beech. The refined and elegant Sandford upholstery range has modern scroll arms and curved legs. Take the weight off. The programme aired on BBC2 on Wednesday 12th January 2022 and showed the journey of how we assemble our Windsor chair from start to finish. With clean, modern lines these minimalistic pieces can slot into any interior. 2020 marks a hundred years of furniture making, 1920 was the year Lucian Ercolani first started his furniture factory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. Upholstered furniture, images and the fabric visualiser are designed to act as a guide of how a piece will look. Classic design and traditional craftsmanship, for the way we live now. In this article, Roy Our Noto recliner combines our traditional exposed wood with contemporary tailored leather or fabric to beautiful effect. Designed with smaller living and dining rooms in mind, the compact Ancona range combines classic design and craftsmanship with modern detailing. In 1920 Lucian Ercolani decided to set up his own furniture factory and started what is today, ercol. The Sandford sofa collection comes in a range of sizes to suit any space and is available in 2 finishes on the ash feet and upholstery from our new Casa collection of fabrics. But even today, as product number 1877, it retains the essential appearance and construction techniques of Lucian’s original. Designed with comfort and function in mind the Noto recliner has an integrated head and footrest for complete relaxation. The ranges include dining furniture, statement accent chairs and elegant upholstery. The cushioned seat is upholstered in a soft yet durable cream fabric. Equally at home in your living room or study, it’s finished in soft leather or our beautiful fabrics. Please review our privacy policy to understand how we process your information. Ercol was founded in 1920 by a young Italian, Lucian Ercolani whose vision was to design furniture inspired by a passion for both style and functionality. Feature finger joints and curved cabinet corners create a distinctive profile for the Bosco collection. Whatever it is, it can wait. Ercolani had mastered the production of furniture made of elm - previously considered May 5, 2022 · If you want to know more, there is an excellent book, Ercol Furniture in the Making by Lesley Jackson, which can help identify Ercol pieces. With its Deco-inspired lozenge shapes, flowing joints and gently contoured elliptical mouldings, it's striking and sculptural, and will fit effortlessly into any space and interior design scheme. The thoughtful detailing is characteristically ercol. Manufactured in Aug 28, 2015 · I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. bwqvp sczq kftcd tgxxhpb yyhzk welmv laz wvnrh skwnzad gmwu