Guillerme et Chambron Sculptural Carved Sideboard in Solid Oak and Brass

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

This sideboard in solid oak, designed by Guillerme et Chambron, reflects the duo’s characteristic synthesis of sculptural detailing and functional rigor. The front is defined by two sliding doors articulated with a repetitive relief pattern, a motif frequently employed in their work to introduce depth and rhythmic structure to otherwise planar surfaces. The turned legs elevate the piece, while the extended frame emphasizes horizontality. In addition to the central storage compartment, the side sections incorporate auxiliary cabinets fitted with substantial brass hinges, highlighting the designers’ interest in robust, visibly articulated hardware. The overall composition demonstrates a careful balance between ornamental carving, material expressiveness, and pragmatic storage design, representative of Guillerme et Chambron’s contribution to postwar French furniture.

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 École 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 Émile 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 Dariosecq’s workshop manufactured the pieces. Throughout their career, ‘Votre Maison’ produced over two thousand models, leaving a lasting mark in the world of design.