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The enigma of Durlston Designs

9/1/2018

1 Comment

 
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Looking for all the world like a sleek Danish mid century icon by Jacobsen or Quistgaard this slender and minimalist beauty is actually as British as a Mini or a cream tea. Durlston Designs was based out of Hersham in Surrey, hardly the hotbed of industrial design in Europe, but the range of mirrors produced here are valued by collectors worldwide. There is scant information out there about the manufacturer but the design is usually attributed to Owen F Thomas either independently or in association with Robert Welch. There is something of an Old Hall feel to it, but perhaps the composition is more sophisticated in its Danish leanings. Various different finishes were produced in powder coated paint, steel and chrome with varying sizes of mirror attached.  The bases vary from double pronged horizontals, through angled to three pronged, even swivel versions on marble all with excellently conceived proportions. Interestingly the UK market does not value these as highly as the USA where you can expect to pay up to $1000 for a good example. This one is listed on the site for £225. The quality of construction and finish would be very expensive to buy new today, making these classics a stylish bargain.
1 Comment
Russell Thomas
17/11/2021 07:35:53 pm

Hi
I was searching for information related to my father, Owen F Thomas, design director of Durlston Designs, when I came across your site.
My father was a modest, but I believe talented man, who seemed ahead of his time with much of his design work, which included mirrors, lighting, tables and much more. He designed items for a variety of customer, including stores such as Harrods, John Lewis; companies like Estée Lauder and so on.
He passed away in 2019, but his wife, Ann, is still alive and was very much a part of Durlston Designs.
I am not sure if it would be of interest to you, but she may be able to fill in some of the history of DD. I may also be able to assist - I was brought up with DD being central to our lives!
One query I have is as to the association between my father and Robert Welch - where has this information come from? As far as I am aware, he did not work in collaboration with Robert Welch.
I hope you do not mind me sending you this message.
Kind regards
Russell

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