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History

In 1997, together with Christopher Hodsoll, Lulu Lytle founded Soane Britain. Their idea was – as it is today – to make well–designed furniture, which had the quality and longevity of the best antiques. From the basement of Christopher’s shop on the Pimlico Road Soane launched with a well-considered collection of furniture and lighting designs that were made in Britain to the highest standards of craftsmanship. The Soane principles of elegant proportions, bespoke materials and the integrity of the manufacturing process were established from the outset.

After a quarter of a century, the collection has grown considerably while still retaining its quality and principles of British hand-crafted production. Lulu is a passionate advocate of British local craftsmanship and manufacturing. “Once a particular craft has gone, it will never come back. It needs protecting the same way the rhino does.”

Today Soane collaborates with around 39 independent craft workshops in the making of over 300 designs that include furniture, lighting, fabrics, wallpapers and other interior related products. Soane has showrooms in London and New York.

Soane History - 25 Year Milestones Frame

25 Year Milestones

A commitment to British manufacturing and collaboration with some of the finest makers.

1997

  • Soane founded with the explicit intention to make all of its furniture and lighting in specialised British workshops.
  • Lulu researches British craft skills at the Crafts Council library in Islington. Her research prompts her to take a road trip around Britain to meet craftspeople.
Soane Britain - Founded in 1997

1998

  • Soane’s first showroom, designed by Peter Twining, opens in the basement of Christopher Hodsoll’s antique shop at 89 Pimlico Road. First designs are shown, including Jurassic Lamp, Polo Table, Cavaletti Table and Klismos Chair.
  • Commission to make furniture for Ralph Lauren’s first London store.
Soane Britain - 1998 - Table Lamp
Soane Britain: 1998 - First Showroom
Soane Britain: 1998 - First Commission

1999

  • The first catalgoue is printed with 48 designs.
Soane Britan's first Catalogue

2000

  • Soane’s first website goes live.
Year 2000 - Soane's first website goes live.

2001

  • The Soane showroom expands and moves to a 5 storey Georgian townhouse at 50 Pimlico Road.
  • Soane commissioned by Sir David Tang to make furniture for China Club, Singapore.
The Soane showroom expands and moves to a 5 storey Georgian townhouse at 50 Pimlico Road.
Soane commissioned by Sir David Tang to make furniture for China Club, Singapore.

2003

  • Soane invests in a specialist chair making workshop.
  • Soane commissioned to make furniture for Bentley Motors.
Soane Britain invests in a specialist chair making workshop

2004

  • The hunt for rattan weavers leads Soane to Angraves, the last rattan workshop in the UK. Reproduction of an Edwardian sofa is commissioned.
The hunt for rattan weavers leads Soane to Angraves, the last rattan workshop in the UK.
Reproduction of an Edwardian sofa is commissioned.

2005

  • Soane commissioned by Soho House Group to design and make chairs and bar stools for the first Cecconi’s, in London.
Soane commissioned by Soho House Group

2006

  • Exhibition of “The Camel in Art” to raise awareness of the critically endangered wild camel in the Gobi Desert.
Exhibition of “The Camel in Art”
Soane hosts it's first North American pop up in New York.

2007

  • Soane hosts it’s first North American pop up in New York.
  • Soane expands into 52 Pimlico Road to create the London flagship showroom.
Soane expands into 52 Pimlico Road to create the London flagship showroom.

2010

  • Soane wins Walpole Award for Luxury Craftsmanship.
Walpole Award for Luxury Craftsmanship
Establishment of Soane's own rattan workshop after Angraves goes into administration

2011

  • Establishment of Soane’s own rattan workshop after Angraves goes into administration.
  • Soane’s fabric collection launched, Paw Print being the first design.
  • Soane hosts its second North American pop up in collaboration with 1stDibs in New York.
  • Soane’s first North American office opens in New York.
Soane hosts its second North American pop up in collaboration with 1stDibs in New York.

2012

  • Soane’s wallpaper collection launched, Seaweed Lace being the first design.
Soane's wallpaper collection launched, Seaweed Lace being the first design.
Soane's San Francisco office

2013

  • Rattan apprenticeship scheme established by Soane, the first of its kind in the UK.
  • Soane’s San Francisco office opens.
Rattan apprenticeship scheme
Rattan apprenticeship scheme

2015

  • Soane’s first North American showroom opens in New York.
Soane's first North American showroom opens in New York.

2016

  • Rattan collaboration with Mark D. Sikes – The Lily Collection.
Rattan collaboration with Mark D. Sikes - The Lily Collection

2017

  • Soane’s San Francisco showroom opens.
  • Maggie’s Manchester commission a rattan bench made to a design by Sir Norman Foster.
Maggie's Manchester commission a rattan bench
Nigel Young Foster + Partners

Soane's San Francisco showroom
Soane's Atlanta office opens.

2019

  • Soane collaborates with Cobblers Cove Hotel in Barbados to redesign the entrance hall, drawing room and two bedroom suites.
  • Establishment of in-house patination and lighting workshop in Leicester.
  • Lulu invited to speak at a Parliamentary panel discussion to consider the value of crafts industries to the British economy.
  • Soane’s Atlanta office opens.
Soane collaborates with Cobblers Cove Hotel in Barbados
Soane collaborates with Cobblers Cove Hotel in Barbados

2020

  • His Majesty King Charles III visits Soane’s rattan workshop in Leicester.
  • Fabric collaboration with fashion designer Duro Olowu.
  • The Susie Bag launches online as Soane’s first ecommerce item.
  • “RATTAN, A World of Elegance and Charm” by Lulu Lytle is published by Rizzoli.
King Charles visits Soane
"RATTAN, A World of Elegance and Charm" by Lulu Lytle is published by Rizzoli.
The Susie Bag
V&A Museum
Lulu invited to be an ambassador for Maggie's.

2021

  • Lighting and fabric collaboration with the botanical artist Sophie Coryndon.
  • Lighting collaboration with interior designer David Netto.
  • Fabric collection with textile collector Karun Thakar.
  • Establishment of The Karun Thakar Fund with the V&A Museum.
  • Lulu invited to be an ambassador for Maggie’s.
Soane Britain: Fabric collection with textile collector Karun Thakar.
Soane Britain: Lighting and fabric collaboration with the botanical artist Sophie Coryndon.
Soane Britain: Lighting collaboration with interior designer David Netto.

2022

  • Soane celebrated 25 years of British craftsmanship.
  • Soane collaborates with the Edward Barnsley Workshop for the launch of the Easy Chair.
  • Soane employs 93 people, 26 work in Soane workshops and 8 are apprentices.
  • Soane works with 39 independent craft workshops in the UK.