The Story

In 1920 Lucian Ercolani decided to set up his own furniture factory in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and started what is today, Ercol.

During the war, the ercol factory worked for the government, making 25,000 tent pegs a day! After the war, due to all the rebuilding there was a substantial demand for new furniture, of which the Utility Furniture Scheme was set up with the aim to build strong well-designed furniture.

Ercol have been making furniture for over 100 years and Henry Tadros, the Great Grandson of ercol’s founder, Lucian R. Ercolani, is the fourth generation to take part in running the company.

A Timeless Design

Ercol's mid-century designs remain relevant and retain their appeal today. But their true beauty comes from the colours, grains and other natural features of the timber they use to make them.

Their designs have origins in the 1950s. That mid-century style is very much of its time: sleek, functional, optimistic and forward-looking. Yet despite this clear and distinctive heritage, Ercol furniture is also frequently described as ‘timeless’. That’s because it transcends fashion and trends, and still feels relevant almost 80 years later.

Image: A comparison of the iconic Butterfly Chair from the 1950's (left) and 2025 with a recent addition of the seat cushion (right), with ercol Chairman, Henry Tadros.