TIMOTHY OULTON

BRITISH FURNITURE DESIGNER

byEliza Hamizah

BRITISH FURNITURE DESIGNER

<b>photos</b> TIMOTHY OULTON & ANGELA GUO

With rotating banquettes, descending chandeliers and many other visually stimulating features, private members’ club 1880 is the manifestation of Timothy Oulton’s wacky ideas and expertise in furniture. 1880 is also Timothy Oulton Studio’s – his interior design arm – third and largest project yet. We caught up with the ever-candid designer when he popped by Singapore for the 1880 launch.

You’ve recently launched Timothy Oulton Studio. Tell us more about it.

The concept has been in my mind for years. Making furniture is great, but not as important as creating a space. While the essence of the materials and thought process is the same as our furniture business, the Studio focuses more on how furniture is being experienced – particularly in F&B. We are now a team of 15, and are plenty busy!

Local apartments are getting smaller. What’s your advice?

I say, go big. When I designed my small apartment in Hong Kong, I took the biggest sofa and chandelier we have, and it looks brilliant! You get less in, but what else do you flipping need?

What are your thoughts on trendy colours?

It’s not my thing to wait for the colour of the year, or any trend. I don’t like millennial pink as it’s not my norm, and while I have been doing brass for 40 years, I don’t like it right now.

Everyone is doing it; it’s overkill. Being timeless is not eschewing trends – you need to be aware of the vernacular – but don’t follow them for the sake of it. Stick to what you love.

Would you say you have a rebellious nature?

(sniggers) I just don’t like being told what to do. Is that the same thing?

What about fengshui, then? It plays a significant role here.

To ignore that would be stupid, because I believe in all these things: Destiny, karma, faith, juju – whatever you call it. I have not studied it, but I would take advice from someone who has.

What are some mantras you stand by?

If you don’t love it, don’t do it. If you’re going to do it, do it to the best of your ability or else don’t even bother. Be relevant or be dead.