robert timmons furniture – founded in 2003

founder’s story

early years

My design journey started when I enrolled on a cabinet making course at the London College of Furniture in 1996. I was interested in design and drawn to the simplicity and minimalism of Shaker furniture, unknowingly it was a touchpoint that ignited my passion for furniture design. When I left and with my new found skills, I started building furniture pieces for clients and friends. I’d been recommended Saloni di Mobile a furniture exhibition held annually in Milan and knew instinctively that I had to go. The show was transformative but what really caught my imagination was the stunning furniture being exhibited by some kitchen brands.

apprenticeship

Back in the UK, I looked them up and found one of the brands Boffi was being imported and installed by a company called Alternative Plans. I introduced myself to the directors who were to have a massive influence on my path. I asked them for a job as an installer and that’s where my interest became a passion and then an obsession. For five years I worked and during that time I developed an understanding of what made a great kitchen. I was now going to Milan every year, but not just to see the latest developments, I was visiting furniture component trade shows, not just in Italy but around Europe, developing relationships with the companies who were producing unique hardware.

robert timmons furniture

At this point, I had only one thing in mind, to implement all the knowledge I’d gained and design my own kitchens. Robert Timmons Furniture as a company was launched at 100% Design 2003, I featured my own design work sponsored by leading Italian appliance manufacturer Foster, who’s speciality was stainless steel worktops with hobs and sinks seamlessly welded in. The stand drew a lot of interest with architects and designers, who were drawn to both the stainless steel and my first kitchen design, the R1 Handleless Kitchen (today, I’m still the UK agent for Foster in a relationship that’s spanned over twenty years). Robert Timmons Furniture rapidly outgrew as a front room operation and now with the help of Richard Beaumont, we moved into our Deptford studio. Being located in this RIBA-awarded building has been a huge advantage and certainly a factor in our success.

today

So the journey to where we are now is one that makes me immensely proud. It’s a journey that’s seen Robert Timmons Furniture evolve into RTF Design Studio and everyone in our team embraces the same design values that started our journey.