Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Lord Charles Spencer began working with Theodore Alexander almost two decades ago.
At High Point Market in North Carolina, Editor-in-Chief Margot Shaw sat down with Lord Spencer to discuss his new line with Theodore Alexander called Spencer London. Drawing on a 20-year relationship with the home furnishings company, Lord Spencer offers a refined take on modern that meshes nicely with the brand’s unmatched commitment to quality and results in pieces that can be passed down for generations. The collection includes over 30 pieces that Margot describes as “instant heirlooms.” According to Lord Spencer, at its core, “the collection doesn’t shy away from the classics as it offers a very authentic graduation from the purely classical to something that blends classical with contemporary and reaches a new demographic.”
The inspiration for Spencer London springs from Lord Spencer’s own townhouse as many of the pieces are adaptations of ones found in his London home. “I’ve been lucky enough to be brought up surrounded by really lovely things and to have many of them passed down to me. I’m the 19th generation to live around these things, and that elegance has come down through my Althorp collection which is based on these pieces,” says Lord Spencer. However, he explains that unlike the Althorp collection, Spencer London is an “infusion of different styles and tastes instead of exact replicas.” In working with the designers at Theodore Alexander, he was able to offer clever spins on traditional style.
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Theodore Alexander's Spencer London collection mixes classical elements like the plaid tweed on the Barnet Sofa with contemporary city chic such as the Metal Cocktail Table to deliver a timeless look.
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
The Spencer London bar cabinet adds a sophisticated twist to the dining room that also features the sleek Spencer London Upholstered Armchair II and the Extension Dining Table.
Photo courtesy of Lord Spencer
Speaking of the Spencer London Extension Dining Table, Lord Spencer says “You can have a humdrum house and just put that in there and now you have a classic element in that room that will reflect across the entire interior. It plays with a theme and makes it special.”
One such example is the two-seat leather settee with studs that was based off one of Lord Spencer’s antique chairs. The designers decided to double it and add a swoop in the back, offering seating with a classic look but a savvy city finish. The collection also comes in a light or dark finish, each named after an area in London. In addition, Spencer London addresses a common problem for city dwellers dealing with limited space. Designers and homeowners alike have to come up with creative ways to make flats and townhomes functional but still stylish. This collection leans into that mindset by providing gorgeous, stately pieces that are nimble and practical enough for city living, bringing the elegance of countryside estates into town.
Cities also display hundreds of years of history in their buildings with marble columns and crown moldings juxtaposed against mirror-like glass skyscrapers. On a single street in London there can be Georgian, Regency, Art Deco, and Victorian architecture. Lord Spencer embraces those contrasts by mixing and matching in his own design. As a historian, he appreciates the idea of keeping history alive through the furniture around us. “If a piece of furniture is good enough in its own style—if it’s classically beautiful—it will fit into another interior,” he says. He also adds that mixing different eras and time periods into one’s home can make a bold statement, making the home distinct and personal.
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
The Spencer London King Poster Bed adds a masculine touch to the bedroom, complete with the 3-Drawer Nightstand and 9-Drawer Dresser.
Over the years, Theodore Alexander has introduced collections of furniture born from the most visionary minds in the design community. With Spencer London, Lord Spencer has uniquely tied history and the needs of a modern home together. “The key was to create something fresh that didn’t dilute a 500-year-old brand,” he says. As the collection seeks to balance contemporary needs with traditional tastes, Margot says the pieces speak to Lord Spencer’s “efforts to expose people to good design and great antiquity.” The collection is an opportunity to share a piece of history with the rest of the world. Lord Spencer adds, “Part of my belief in life is to share things that you’re lucky enough to have. That’s what’s behind this collection.”
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Spencer London Chinoiserie Chest
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Spencer London Jupe Dining Table
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Havering Chair
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Spencer London Rectangle Mirror
Photo courtesy of Theodore Alexander
Brent Settee
See more from the collection at Theodore Alexander.
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By Carrie Clay
