Design By Davies

Design by Davies is a London-based vintage furniture studio known for carefully sourced pieces with character, history and enduring design appeal. Founded by furniture and interior designer Simon Davies, the studio focuses on vintage, antique and mid-century furniture, with selected pieces thoughtfully restored to preserve their original charm while making them suitable for contemporary interiors.

For those who appreciate furniture with a story, Design by Davies represents a more personal approach to interiors, where a beautifully aged cabinet, distinctive chair or classic table can become a defining feature of a room.

Quick Facts

• London-based vintage and mid-century furniture studio.
• Founded by furniture and interior designer Simon Davies.
• Specialises in characterful vintage, antique and mid-century pieces.
• Collections include seating, tables, storage, mirrors, lighting and desks.
• Selected furniture is professionally restored or carefully refreshed.
• Particularly suited to collected, eclectic and character-led interiors.

Why It’s Popular

The appeal of Design by Davies lies in its emphasis on individuality. Rather than relying solely on newly manufactured furniture, vintage pieces bring an established sense of character and craftsmanship into the home.

A mid-century sideboard can introduce beautiful timber tones to a contemporary dining room, while a vintage armchair can add softness and personality to a modern sitting room. The slight variations, patina and signs of age found in older furniture can make an interior feel collected rather than overly coordinated.

There is also a growing appreciation for furniture with longevity. Choosing vintage allows homeowners to give an existing piece a new chapter while creating a home that feels more distinctive and personal.

Popular Styles

Mid-Century Furniture
Clean lines, practical proportions and beautifully finished timber make mid-century pieces particularly versatile.

Vintage Wooden Furniture
Chests of drawers, cabinets, desks and sideboards can add warmth and depth to both traditional and contemporary rooms.

Antique Furniture
More decorative antique pieces introduce history, craftsmanship and a sense of heritage.

Vintage Seating
Armchairs, dining chairs and occasional seating can become statement pieces when upholstered in distinctive fabrics or paired with contemporary surroundings.

Characterful Accessories
Mirrors, lamps, drinks trolleys and smaller decorative pieces can provide an accessible way to introduce vintage influence without changing an entire room.

How to Choose

When choosing vintage furniture, begin by considering the role you want the piece to play. A large sideboard might become a practical storage solution and focal point, while a small occasional table can add character without dominating the room.

Pay close attention to dimensions. Vintage furniture can have proportions that differ from contemporary designs, so measure the available space as well as doorways, staircases and access points.

Inspect the condition carefully, particularly with older pieces. Natural patina and small signs of age can enhance character, while structural damage or extensive wear may affect practicality.

Most importantly, choose something you genuinely love. The best vintage furniture tends to be pieces that remain appealing long after passing trends have changed.

Styling Tips

One of the most effective ways to use vintage furniture is to mix it with contemporary pieces. A mid-century cabinet can look beautifully sophisticated alongside a modern sofa, while an antique mirror can bring depth to a clean-lined hallway.

For a cohesive look, repeat one or two details elsewhere in the room. Timber tones can be echoed through picture frames or occasional tables, while brass or aged metal details can connect lighting and accessories.

Avoid making every item in the room vintage. Leaving plenty of space around a distinctive piece allows its craftsmanship and character to stand out.

A vintage drinks trolley, for example, can become a charming feature in a dining or entertaining area, while a classic bureau can create an elegant home office with plenty of personality.

Benefits at a Glance

• Individuality: Vintage furniture gives interiors a distinctive character.
• Timeless appeal: Well-designed pieces can remain relevant for decades.
• Craftsmanship: Older furniture can showcase traditional materials and construction.
• Versatility: Vintage pieces can work beautifully alongside modern furniture.
• Character: Patina and natural signs of age add warmth and depth.
• Sustainability: Reusing existing furniture can be a considered alternative to buying new.

Inspiration from Designer Brands

Design by Davies sits comfortably within the wider world of interiors that values craftsmanship, individuality and beautifully considered furniture. Eichholtz offers inspiration for creating sophisticated rooms where statement pieces are balanced with modern glamour, while Richmond Interiors demonstrates how contemporary furniture can be layered with richer textures and distinctive silhouettes.

Gallery Direct provides ideas for combining natural materials and relaxed furniture, while Uttermost is useful inspiration for rooms where furniture and decorative accessories are treated as part of one carefully curated scheme.

For a more collected House of Isabella aesthetic, the key is not to recreate a period interior completely. Instead, allow one or two vintage-inspired pieces to provide contrast against contemporary upholstery, elegant lighting and carefully chosen accessories.

Common Questions

What is Design by Davies?
Design by Davies is a London-based studio specialising in vintage, antique and mid-century furniture and interiors.

Who founded Design by Davies?
The studio was founded by furniture and interior designer Simon Davies.

What type of furniture does Design by Davies offer?
Its collections include vintage and mid-century tables, chairs, cabinets, desks, storage, mirrors, lighting and decorative pieces.

Does vintage furniture work in modern homes?
Absolutely. Vintage pieces can add warmth, history and individuality to otherwise contemporary interiors.

How should vintage furniture be styled?
Mix it with modern pieces, repeat complementary materials and colours, and give distinctive furniture enough space to be appreciated.

Finishing Touch

Design by Davies captures the enduring appeal of furniture that has already lived a life. Whether it is a beautifully aged wooden cabinet, an elegant mid-century chair or a distinctive occasional table, vintage furniture can bring warmth, individuality and a sense of discovery into a contemporary home. The most successful interiors rarely feel entirely new; they feel collected, layered and personal.

House of Isabella is not affiliated with any third-party brands mentioned. All trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.