1969

ORIGIN

The year Sue & James Cook, former antique dealers established The Odd Chair Company primarily as an antique restoration business.

They began their business scouring the country for unique antique furniture, some pristine and some in need of restoration and refurbishment. James and Sue had a keen eye for spotting the potential in antique chairs and sofas and were able to transform them into stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces.

As their antique business grew, they began to receive requests for custom-made chairs. Customers would come to them with their specific requirements, whether it was a specific style, size or colour scheme. This sparked an idea in James and Sue, and they decided to start creating bespoke chairs from scratch, where they could design each chair exactly to their customers' specifications, creating pieces that were truly unique.

1990

EVOLUTION

The year Victoria Cook, daughter of James and Sue, joined the business. With a true passion for design, furniture, interiors, and a keen eye for detail, the business quickly gained a reputation as a real expert in their field. The Odd Chair Company became known for its exceptional craftsmanship and the ability to create chairs that were both beautiful and comfortable and built to last a lifetime. Their chairs were not only stylish but renowned for their high level of comfort - a testament to the high-quality materials and skilled workmanship that went into each piece.

2002

The year James M Cook, son of James and Sue, took over the business alongside sister Victoria with a goal to become the finest traditional handmade furniture company in the UK.

The business grew based on the high level of service offered to clients and the strength of the traditional upholstery and cabinet skills obtained by the artisan craftsmen and women, drawing on over 100 years of combined experience. It was at this point that the collection of fine handmade upholstery grew from a small portfolio of unique pieces to a much wider range of beautifully hand-crafted- furniture designs. The collection included traditionally handmade sofas, chairs, bespoke tables, mirrors, chaise lounges, ottomans, and much more.

2006

EXPANSION

As James and Victoria expanded their business, they began to see the opportunity to showcase their work to a wider audience. In August 2006, they opened their first showroom in London, a city that was known for its love of design and luxury furniture. They believed their business of handmade furniture had much to offer the discerning London buyer and decided to take the leap.

The Odd Chair Company quickly became renowned for its high level of service, offering great craftsmanship quality using only the finest of materials and employing highly skilled artisans. Their craftsmen and women hold a wealth of traditional upholstery and cabinet skills, drawing on over 100 years of combined knowledge to produce pieces with superb tailored finishes and unrivalled comfort.

In 2017, The Odd Chair Company opened its 45 Pimlico Road showroom, earning a reputation as the go-to destination for anything bespoke and for its fully personalised relationship with each client. “The district was fast becoming the premier design quarter in London and we wanted to be part of that.

2022

THE WORKSHOP MOVE

A very momentous and exciting year for The Odd Chair Company. Having outgrown their current workshop and head office location in Lancashire, they made the decision to move and start a new chapter in a much larger space. This not only benefited them logistically, but also for the future success of the business and its ever-expanding furniture collection.

As the company evolved, so did Pimlico Road. When the Newson’s Yard development came into play, the design of the scheme meant that The Odd Chair Company’s old showroom had to be knocked down. This meant they were offered a larger space and a lovely side window display that now leads into the Newsons Yard. This new showroom is bigger and better. They have an array of different designs on show, including our collection of handmade dining chairs, sofas, cabinet furniture, mirrors and much more. The Belgravis showroom is warm and welcoming, with The Odd Chair Company’s handmade furniture showcased artfully and elegantly across the large space and wide windows boasting stunning views across Orange Square.

Today, The Odd Chair Company is a thriving business that continues to create stunning, bespoke chairs for clients around the world. The family’s passion for design and their commitment to quality is still at the heart of the company. They have expanded their product range to include bespoke sofas, footstools, armchairs, dining chairs, ottomans, chaise lounges, and stools, amongst lots of other furniture, but their focus remains on creating pieces that are truly unique, exceptionally comfortable and built to last a lifetime. “Our reupholstery service is something we’re very proud of”, James says. “Some of our clients’ tastes change or a piece has been with the family for a long time and needs a new look”.

OUR STORY

PROVIDING AN UNPARALLELED DEGREE OF COMFORT SINCE 1969