Younger Furniture

In the 1950's it was difficult to be a successful British furniture maker in the modern style, most retailers focused on the large but conservative middle class and wouldn't stock designs that were considered too modern. This was because new bedroom, dining and lounge furniture was generally purchased by older parents as wedding gifts, and they preferred good old-fashioned, traditional designs. It made furniture makers cautious about pushing design boundaries.

By the late 1950's modern tastes were beginning to go mainstream as leading home magazines and Hollywood movies featured the latest trends in American and Scandinavian design. It was at this time that John Herbert, the design director for Younger, managed to break into the mass market and define the contemporary style. Herbert's work was inspired by modern ideals and Scandinavian forms but retained an essential Britishness that connected with the conservative public.

As the Scandinavian style became the dominant furniture aesthetic, Younger was well placed to capture a good share of the market. Many of Herbert's designs, like 'Volnay', were in production for over 10 years, proving just how contemporary they were. In the late 1960's Younger released the 'Sequence' range as an alternative to G-Plan's 'Fresco' range. This was a collaboration between John Herbert and Alan Pledge and became another best selling range of furniture.

By the late 1960s Herbert could see that the public was tiring of the Scandinavian style. He was keen to forge a new direction and found inspiration in traditional Spanish and well crafted Georgian furniture. This new direction paved the way for an aesthetic that would define the coming decade and continue the success of Younger in a changing world. Unfortunately, Herbert left the firm in the 1970s and along with broader economic factors, this led to the decline of Younger Furniture.

Although the Younger style was always leading the way in contemporary design it remained an expensive and somewhat exclusive product, loved by many but owned by a lucky few. Today it is just as desirable, it retains a timeless modern style and is coveted by new generation of design lovers.