LINLEY recently collaborated with Bentley Motors on a limited edition of 10 Continental Flying Spurs. The limited edition CFS models will be sold in China, Bentley’s biggest four-door market.
Specially selected Linley veneers in Santos rosewood are being applied to the fascia, consol, waistrail and roof console and integrated within the cars for the first time. The veneers cover the entire wood surfaces of the model, where Bentley chestnut or walnut would normally be used.
LINLEY Helix motif in Marquetry with Santos Rosewood
The Linley Helix motif, from the Linley Helix Furniture Collection, is being set, using the highly specialised skill of marquetry inlay, into the waist-rails and picnic table of the Flying Spurs. The Helix pattern is made up of four different types of veneer which contrast with the Santos rosewood to show the wave effect delivered by the marquetry.
Interior of Linley Bentley with marquetry Helix motif - Click image to enlarge
Quotes from David Linley’s recent interview with The Telegraph
My 50th birthday has made me reassess what we’re doing at Linley. We’ve redecorated the Pimlico showroom and changed our brand colour to bright blue to create a positive initial image. But our ethos hasn’t changed: I want everything we do to have a sense of humour. I expect it gets quite annoying but I’m constantly asking my designers to think about how they can make a product more fun; how they can add more secret drawers to a desk, or design the perfect tray to slide in to a safe. We’ve recently produced a car for Bentley and the challenge was to make it better than anything before it: the springiest seats; the most immaculate woodwork.
I always encourage my team to get out and see things that don’t have anything to do with furniture; the current exhibition of Shackleton’s photographs at the Queen’s Gallery in London, for example. It showcases a different level of human endeavour. How incredible that his team managed to bring 120 glass photographic plates across the Antarctic.
I’d like to think something brilliant is about to come out of British design. At Linley we’re trying to rewrite the book all over again; looking back to classic designs from the Sixties in order to take our furniture into a new realm. There hasn’t been a great movement in terms of music, literature and art for ages; in the interior design world, the same things are being redone again and again. We’ve all got stuck at a certain point and now need to leap through this glass ceiling.
Perhaps the Far East will inspire a new wave of design. There’s a huge demand for British-made products out there. I’m launching the Linley Bentley in China this week. It’s great to have the opportunity to travel; I think cultural changes are very important for the soul and I wouldn’t discount moving abroad completely if it was the best for the family, first, and for my career, second.
Interview by Anna Tyzack, The Telegraph, 4:00PM GMT 24 Nov 2011
The LINLEY for Bentley interior rear seating area
Front Console with LINLEY Marque
Video of the launch of the Linley for Bentley Limited Edition Continental Flying Spur
The four types of veneer in the LINLEY Helix motif
Artful placement of the four types of veneer, using the figure, grain and hue of each species to best effect
Making the LINLEY Helix motif with marquetry
Cutting the marquetry pieces with sealed beam laser
Fitting the marquetry Satinwood pieces into place
Hand assembling the LINLEY Helix design in marquetry
Completing the hand crafted assembly of the Helix motif
Completed assembly of the Santos Rosewood, India Rosewood, Ebony and Satinwood veneers