Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison, sideboard, solid oak, ceramic, France, 1960s

This sideboard by Guillerme et Chambron is a robust and heavy object that speaks through its material honesty and careful proportions. Made from solid oak, its form is grounded and purposeful, with a strong horizontal emphasis; ample storage space is available behind the sliding doors. A series of ceramic tiles with decorative, abstract motifs break up the uniformity of the oak surface with bursts of deep red, black, and white. The sliding doors glide within channels set into the wood, with large wooden knobs integrated into the side frames. The sides of the piece are equally functional and thoughtfully designed. Each end panel conceals an additional door, integrated discreetly into the vertical structure of the cabinet.

The French designer duo Jacques Chambron (1914-2001) and Robert Guillerme (1913-1990) started their production postwar. Robert Guillerme studied design and architecture at the cole Boule and graduated first in his class in 1934. Meanwhile, Jacques Chambron graduated from the School of Applied Arts in Reims. During the Second World War, the two met in a stalag, a Prussian prisoner camp, while being imprisoned by the Germans in East Prussia and started a great friendship based on their intense and deep passion for interior design. In 1948, Chambron resigned from his job as a painter and decorator on the Rue Nollet in Paris to move to Lille, in the North of France and join Guillerme. A year later, the two met cabinetmaker mile Dariosecq, who was the owner of a workshop close by. It was during this meeting, that they decided to create their own company. They named it Votre Maison, meaning Your Home, which became the soul of the company. With this, they wanted to create pieces that focused on functionality combined with a beautiful design useful for daily life, by which they created a worldwide reputation. Most of the furniture designed by this duo shows a strong character and has a great expressive woodwork. The three of them divided their work equally. Overall, Guillerme worked as a designer, Chambron as a commercial, and Dariosecqs workshop manufactured the pieces. Throughout their career, Votre Maison produced over two thousand models, leaving a lasting mark in the world of design.

Kindly note that the piece is in good, used condition with some signs of use. For further details, we encourage you to reach out to our team of design specialists.