Brand Focus: The Conran Shop
The Conran Shop is not just a retailer; it’s a legacy of design excellence and modern curated living.
Founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1973 on London’s Fulham Road, it has since expanded all over the world, shaping design-conscious communities and setting benchmarks in considered, contemporary interiors.
The vision of Sir Terence Conran
Sir Terence Conran (1931 - 2020) was a British designer, architect and entrepreneur, who believed that great design should be accessible to all.
The founding member of The Design Museum, Habitat and influential restaurants like Bibendum, Quaglino’s, and the Blueprint Café, Conran’s portfolio of businesses extended beyond The Conran Shop; though always centred on design excellence and innovation.
An Alma mater from Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, Conran’s innovative businesses were always driven by a passion for craftsmanship and carefully considered design.
He opened the first Conran Shop in 1973 on London’s Fulham Road, selling beautifully designed modern furniture, lighting and home accessories.
In time, Sir Conran began opening flagship stores in major cities like Paris, New York, and Tokyo with each store stocking cutting-edge pieces with a refined aesthetic from both emerging and established artists.
In 2023, The Conran Shop closed its original store at Michelin House on Fulham Road and relocated its flagship from Sloane Square. The company's head offices, previously in Marylebone, moved to Clerkenwell, where a new store was also opened.
The brand now focuses on in-house designs by TCS studio, keeping Sir Terence Conran’s vision of making high-quality design accessible to all after his passing.
Designers behind the brand
From exclusive in-house creations to collaborations with award-winning designers, The Conran Shop is defined by its commitment to quality and craftsmanship.
Each product at The Conran Shop reflects a very particular balance of form and function, showcasing iconic designs that pair beauty with practicality.
Let’s take a look at some of the iconic designs the brand and its collaborating designers are known for.
The Conran Shop lighting
Here, we must start with The Flo Table Lamp by The Conran Shop.
Sleek, modern and handcrafted from high-quality Czech mouth-blown glass with a solid marble base, it’s available in smoked or opal glass. With its sculptural design and delicate glass sphere, it perfectly presents ambient lighting in a striking and tactile way.
Designed by British designer Samuel Wilkinson, this lamp also recently won a Livingetc Style Award.
The Conran Shop furniture
Let’s begin with The Delta Papercord Dining Chair by The Conran Shop.
Designed by the renowned industrial designer Matthew Hilton, this carefully crafted chair is available in oak or walnut with a handwoven paper cord seat.
Despite its seemingly simple curves, it contains complex joinery in its frame, which is inspired by classic and traditional furniture forms and crafted in Portugal.
Made with premium materials like solid wood, cast iron and brass, it offers both ergonomic support, comfort and the kind of refined elegance you get from classic design elements.
Next, is the Ninety Extendable Dining Table by TCS Studio
Versatile and refined, this extendable dining table has been designed by the Conran in-house team. Complete with clean lines, slender legs and a sturdy central frame, this architectural and expertly crafted table also comes in visible joint details.
It takes its name from the alternating wood grain on the extension leaves and comes in lacquered oak or lacquered walnut to suit various aesthetics.
This table is the perfect representation of The Conran Shop’s philosophy of combining innovative design with exceptional craftsmanship, to create pieces that bring about effortless, curated living.
Conran Shop Homeware
The Speckle Dinnerware Collection features a range of plates, bowls, mugs, and serving pieces made from durable stoneware.
Each item has a unique speckled finish, and the collection itself is available in neutral tones to easily match in with your kitchen style.
Minimal and with clean lines, this dinnerware collection is a Conran Shop favourite for many due to its quality, craftsmanship and simple integration into any kitchen colour scheme.
Award-Winning Designs
There are many other pieces The Conran Shop is renowned for producing, with recent award-winning furniture and lighting like the Delta Chair by Matthew Hilton, which was the Winner of Best Dining Chair from Living Etc in 2023.
Further examples are The Iris Lounge Chair by Huw Evans, Winner of a Design Guild Mark in 2023 and The Pirouette Coat Stand, winner of a Design Guild Mark in 2024.
Who owns the Conran shop now?
As of March 2020, The Conran Shop is owned by British businessman Javad Marandi, who acquired the company from its founder, Sir Terence Conran.
At Holloways of Ludlow, we stock a wide range of The Conran Shop products. From tableware to furniture and lighting, each piece is designed for modern, curated living.