It is said that every great journey begins with a single step—or in our case, a piece of wood and a bit of determination. As we celebrate 36 years of Clock House Furniture, we find ourselves reflecting on the path that brought us from a small garage in London to our purpose-built home in the heart of the Scottish countryside.
The Spark of Craftsmanship
Long before Clock House was a name, it was a passion for our founder, Nick. As a schoolboy, under the mentorship of an inspirational teacher named Gippy, Nick learned the language of joinery. Whether crafting a canoe or a desk, the love for creating something functional and beautiful took root early.
The Leap of Faith (1987)
In 1987, life took an unexpected turn when Nick was made redundant from his office job in London. While a daunting moment for many, it was the catalyst Nick, and wife Priscilla needed. With the encouragement of dear friend Rufus Reid at Nomad Tent, Nick began creating kilim footstools in his garage.
The response was immediate. They were a hit at the Hurlingham Club, selling out before they even reached the fair. Priscilla, acting as the driving force behind the scenes—managing the sales, marketing, and traveling the country—knew they were onto something special. The business was officially founded in 1989.
Finding Our Home in Scotland (1990)
The heart of our business found its true home when Nick and Priscilla visited friends in Edinburgh. They fell in love with Scotland, moving north in March 1990. They set up shop in a small, leaky bar in the village of Tyninghame. This was a season of growth: the team expanded with our first employees, "Jimmy the Hammer", Billie and Stuart, and our furniture began appearing in prestigious trade shows from the 'Top Drawer' at Alexandra Palace in London to Maison et Objet in Paris.
Innovation & Expansion (1993–2012)
By 1993, we outgrew our Tyninghame bar and moved to a stable block in Overhailes. Here, the team grew to include legends such as Sandy and Moira. Our range expanded from stools to beds, sofas, and chairs.
It was also here that an unexpected discovery occurred. At a Paris trade show, we realized there was a niche for the unique: our antler furniture. When we pivoted to showcase this range, the response was global. Our antler furniture became a signature of our brand, sustainable and utterly unique, finding homes all over the world.
A Purpose-Built Future (2012)
As our operations grew, the stables became too cramped for our ambitions. In 2008, an opportunity arose to purchase land at Fenton Barns. Despite the challenges of the Great Recession, we built our dream workshop, which opened in 2012.
This space allowed us to invest in a world-class team. We gathered experts from Australia, Europe, and across the UK, bringing their diverse skills to our remote corner of Scotland.
Clock House Today
Today, our team of 16—including our in-house CAD specialists and marketing managers—work with clients globally. We have got where we are through the dedication and hard work put in over the years by everyone applying there own remarkable skills. From East Lothian and our spot at the Design Emporium Collective, we will continue in the same vein that Nick and Priscilla started in that London garage so many years ago.
Whether it is a beautiful cabinet from our range or a bespoke sofa, our mission remains the same: to bring your dreams to life through time-honoured craftsmanship. Thank you for being part of our story.