Hille & Co. (England), furniture

The S. Hille & Co. furniture company was founded in the East End of London in1906 by Salamon Hille. The company manufactured quality reproduction Sheraton and Chippendale furniture, with the emphasis on quality rather than volume.

In 1932, Salamon Hille retired and his daughter Ray Hille took over the company. During and after World War II, timber was not available for manufacure of new furniture, unless for export, so the company concnetrated on repairing and restoring furniture with second-hand materials, and building up an export market, using new timber.

In 1949, Ray Hille, a formidable matriarch, with her daughter Rosamind more... and son-in-law Leslie Julius, began the collaboration with Robin Day which continued successfully for more than 20 years.

In addition to designing nearly all of Hille’s products Robin Day also took over the graphic design for Hille, including letterheads, forms, vehicle livery, and the Hille logo which with a few variations has been used for 60 years. He was also responsible for graphics, brochures, showroom designs and exhibition stands. less...

Hille & Co. was a prominent British furniture manufacturer, established in London in 1906 by Salamon Hille. The company's early success was based on the production of high-quality Art Deco furniture, which was very popular in the early 20th century. The company was known for its innovative designs, which incorporated new materials such as chrome and Bakelite. The company's products were widely used in public buildings, including hotels, restaurants, and offices, and were considered symbols of modernity and sophistication.

In the 1930s, Hille & Co. began to produce a range of steel and aluminum furniture, which was more... both lightweight and durable. This type of furniture became especially popular during World War II, as it was used in military and government buildings. After the war, Hille & Co. continued to innovate, producing a range of modular furniture systems that could be configured in different ways to suit different spaces. The company's designs were widely imitated, and Hille & Co. furniture was sold in many countries around the world.

British furniture designer Robin Day worked for Hille & Co. during the 1950s and 1960s. Day was widely regarded as one of the most important designers of the mid-20th century, and his designs for Hille & Co. helped to define the company's aesthetic during that period. One of Day's most famous designs for Hille & Co. is the Polypropylene chair, which was introduced in 1963. The chair was made from a single piece of injection-molded plastic and was both lightweight and durable. The design was revolutionary at the time, and the polypropylene chair is now considered a classic of modern furniture design.

Day also designed a range of other chairs for Hille & Co., including the 675 chair, which was introduced in 1952. The 675 chair was made from bent plywood and featured a distinctive curved backrest. The chair was designed for use in public spaces, and it quickly became one of Hille & Co.'s best-selling products. In addition to chairs, Day also designed a range of tables, storage units, and other pieces of furniture for Hille & Co. Many of these designs were based on modular systems, which could be configured in different ways to suit different spaces.

In the 1960s, Hille & Co. faced increasing competition from cheaper, mass-produced furniture, and the company struggled to maintain its position in the market. In 1971, the company was acquired by the furniture manufacturer Herman Miller, which continued to produce Hille & Co. designs under the Hille name. less...