The distinctive home features Christopher Howe furniture.

Renowned for his expert ability to seek out exceptional design, antique dealer to the royals, the rich, and the famous, Christopher Howe began assembling his incomparable collection of rare furniture and objects as a teen. His pieces range from 17th and 18th century English country-house furnishings to Arts and Crafts Movement textiles to iconic 20th century household lighting. Through the years, his list of famous clients has included the foremost artists, musicians, and celebrities of our times. His furnishings can be found in such institutions as Sir John Soane’s Museum, The National Gallery, The National Portrait Gallery, Kensington Palace, and Hampton Court Palace.

Howe®, Christopher Howe's newest store on Pimlico Road in London.

Starting with a few pieces found in local markets, Howe opened his first shop fresh out of art school in 1986. Howe chose London’s tony Belgravia district, (home to such notables as Frederic Chopin, Mary Shelley, Tennyson, Margaret Thatcher, Sir Sean Connery, and celebrity chef Nigella Lawson) as his base and it didn’t take long for the business to become a success. In 1995, Howe moved his shop, opting for a larger space on the prestigious Pimlico Road. Today the shop is a celebrated gallery and exhibition space showcasing Howe’s designs along with special collections and works by contemporary artists, craftsmen, and designers Howe appreciates and admires.

Howe®, his newest store on Pimlico Road, offers a range of “bespoke” furnishings. Restored chairs, stools, and sofas are reinterpreted uniquely for each customer using heirloom textiles and fabrics. Pieces are traditionally reupholstered with hand-stitched horsehair and down-filling, creating one-of-a-kind treasures that will become cherished antiques in their own right.

Joining a few select retailers, Orvis is now proud to be able to make Howe’s bespoke furnishings available to our customers.

“Design must be pure and have great qualities which achieve timelessness. I want my furniture to survive and be appreciated for a long time, like the antiques I also sell. The mood created by the design, scale, colour or condition is what really inspires me.”
— Christopher Howe, 2004