Ercol Furniture

Ercol Furniture: A Timeless Classic

Ercol is one of those enduring furniture brands that never goes out of style. Having been around since 1920, Ercol continues to produce furniture that remains highly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors alike. Its pieces are known for their impeccable craftsmanship and timeless design, making them perfect for modern and vintage-inspired homes.

Ercol Furniture: The Beginning

The story of Ercol begins with Lucian Ercolani, who emigrated to the UK from Italy with his family in 1898 at the age of 10. After leaving school in 1902, he found work as a messenger boy with the Salvation Army and began taking evening classes in furniture design at Shoreditch Technical College.

By 1906, Lucian had secured a job as a joiner, working with the Salvation Army. In 1910, he accepted an invitation to work for the well-known furniture maker Frederick Parker, moving to High Wycombe—the heart of British furniture-making at the time. Parker's company later became the famous Parker-Knoll, another iconic name in the furniture world.

In 1912, Lucian began teaching night classes in High Wycombe, where he met and became friends with Ted Gomme, a member of the Gomme family, which had a strong background in furniture-making. Lucian worked closely with the Gomme family until 1920, and decades later, the Gomme business became known by a more familiar name: G Plan.

Lucian Ercolani 1888 - 1976

A New Chapter

In 1920, Lucian Ercolani set out on his own and founded his own furniture company, Furniture Industries, establishing a furniture factory. The company experienced steady growth, and in 1932, Lucian expanded the business further by acquiring the chair manufacturer Walter Skulls Limited.

During World War II, Ercol shifted its focus to help with the war effort, producing munitions boxes, tent pegs, and other items as directed by the government. Toward the end of the war, the company was tasked with producing affordable chairs as part of the government’s Utility Furniture Scheme, which aimed to provide simple yet functional furniture for post-war homes.

The Post-War Years and Beyond

After the war, Ercol’s mission to create affordable, well-designed furniture continued. One of their iconic ranges, the Windsor collection, was introduced at the Britain Can Make It exhibition in 1946, and again at the 1951 Festival of Britain. These exhibitions were pivotal moments for British design, and Ercol’s pieces gained widespread attention for their style and affordability. In the same year, Lucian Ercolani became a founding member of the Furniture Makers Guild, later serving as its master in 1957.

Blue Label 60’s Model 391 Elm ‘All Purpose Chair’ designed by L. Ercolani

A Lasting Legacy

Ercol continued to innovate and evolve over the following decades, introducing new designs and adopting new technologies to keep up with changing tastes. In 2002, the company moved to a new, state-of-the-art factory on the outskirts of Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire, where it still operates today.

The appeal of Ercol furniture is truly timeless. Their designs, whether from decades ago or more recent collections, continue to captivate with their blend of quality craftsmanship, simplicity, and elegance. Ercol pieces remain as popular as ever, proving that great design really does stand the test of time.

Ercol ‘Giraffe’ Room Divider Model 363 in Elm and Beech

Dubbed the Giraffe because of its height and elegance