J. Robert Scott turns 40!

Did you know that J. Robert Scott, the international furniture and textile manufacturer founded in 1972 by Hall-of-Fame designer Sally Sirkin Lewis is already celebrating its 40th Anniversary?




Sally Sirkin Lewis

As an interior designer in the early 70’s, Ms. Lewis sought to provide her clients with exceptional, well-made, contemporary pieces that complimented the setting, however she was unable to find pieces with the style and quality she wanted. She found a small coterie of talented craftsmen to execute the designs she had envisioned.


Beijing console

This collaboration resulted in the brand she created called J. Robert Scott, an amalgam of her children’s names. The masculine sound helped position the company in what was a predominantly male dominated field. In September 1972, Sally Sirkin Lewis was the first woman to open a showroom on Melrose Avenue in the West Hollywood design district. In fact she was the first woman ever to open a wholesale “to the trade” showroom in the United States.




Eve sofa

Lewis’ design style was a departure from what was typically found in most showrooms, with the mass market manufacturing focus of the 70’s. She wanted to accentuate the wood grain, not cover it, and used light tones and rich textures with gusto. Her room settings used minimal furniture to create a great sense of space, defined with respect for architecture. For Lewis, art is an essential element, and she always selects unusual works of art from around the world.


Fontaine lounge

This fresh approach in the world of interior design became known as “California Design”. She was the first woman designer to manufacture her own line of furniture. During her more than four decades, as a “hands on” designer-manufacturer, Lewis has nurtured the artisanal nature in the manufacturing of her furnishings. The traditional methods of construction and craftsmanship are seen in every area of the 70,000 square foot factory in Los Angeles, California.


Regent chair and Adelphi table

Detailed design features, and flawless finishes become reality in the hands of J. Robert Scott’s dedicated artists, many of whom have been with the company for more than 20 years.

The company continues to be known for its hand-woven silks, silk mohairs, chenilles, fine wools, and rich textural weaves in a soothing palette, largely inspired by couture fashion and dressmaking details.



Araby fabric

Lewis's has become an industry presence with more than 150 U.S. Design Patents granted to her for her work. In 2010, Lewis introduced a ground breaking concept in furniture finishing called Ombré, determined to translate the gradient effect of seamless color from light to dark on wood veneer. The Ombré process evolved over the course of several years with constant experimentation. Just as each veneer has individual characteristics of grain and structure, each one responds differently to the application of the wood tone dye, some more dramatically than others.


Cabriole cabinet Ombre storm

The resulting furniture is as individual as a fingerprint. For those who want bespoke furnishings that will not be duplicated, Ombré veneer is truly an innovation in luxury furniture manufacturing. A provisional U.S. Utility Patent has been granted from the U.S. Office of Patent and Trademark for the Ombré process.
 Stop by the showroom at the DDB to see what's new, and rediscover enduring classics, from this industry icon.

In the News: J. Robert Scott Adds New U.S. Design Patent

J. Robert Scott recently announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a design patent to designer Sally Sirkin Lewis for her Cabriole Cabinet.

J. Robert Scott, under the leadership of President, Founder and Hall-of-Fame designer Sally Sirkin Lewis, introduced the Cabriole Cabinet in fall 2010 as part of the Ombré Collection, so named from the French word meaning shadow or shade. The dramatic 72-inch- (183-centimeter-) tall cabinet is shown in excelsior veneer, with Ombré Storm™ finish. The proprietary finishing technique exhibits subtle gradients in intensity and shade from light to dark, producing a distinctive, individual effect on each wood veneer.

J. Robert Scott’s innovative concept is a design milestone in decorative furniture finishing, and each piece in the Ombré Collection is signed and dated by the designer. A utility patent has been filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

“We are very proud of the furniture we make, in both quality and style; our products are proof that good design is timeless,” says Lewis.  “At a time when people are suddenly sensitive to the origin of the products in their homes, I think it is important to note that J. Robert Scott furniture has always been made in America,” she adds.

For the past four decades Sally Sirkin Lewis, through her company, has distinguished herself as a pioneer in the design field and a leading source of originality in American furniture manufacturing.

In the News: J. Robert Scott Remains in Inglewood

J. Robert Scott, the internationally known luxury furniture and textiles manufacturer announces the extension of the lease on its manufacturing facility in Inglewood, California, for more than six years.

The company occupies more than 76,000 square feet of industrial space in the Airport Business Park located at 500 North Oak Street where all facets of furniture production take place.  The facility serves as corporate headquarters for research and design as well.

“The proximity of the design team to production and manufacturing gives us the opportunity to follow products day to day, from prototype through to finished piece, and to observe the birth of new designs as they materialize in the hands of our talented artisans,” said Chief Operating Officer Richard I. Chilcott. "As a small organization, this instant access is very supportive of open communication between all divisions."

In this location, the company currently employs 125 seasoned craftspeople in various disciplines, including designers, customer service, and office staff.  Many of J. Robert Scott’s employees have been with the company for decades.

In the News: J. Robert Scott Patents Adelphi Lounge (Part 2)

In addition to a design patent for J. Robert Scott's Adelphi Lounge chair, Sally Sirkin Lewis has filed for a Utility Patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office to safeguard the decorative finish.

When we checked out the collection, we couldn't get over the smoothness of the Adelphi Lounge's texture or how sleek and fine its look was. Sally, the president, founder and designer of J. Robert Scott, and her team of craftsman selected each wood grain veneer to reveal its own character. Over the years of its creation, the technique was patiently refined and treated as artistically delicate of watercolor painting.

With veneer as the artistic canvas, accentuated by sheer, transparent color, the result is a completely original expression of decorative furniture finishing.

"We are all very aware that the complexities that went into this creation are difficult concepts to understand. Sally is extremely proud to have made this kind of a break-through in the field of furniture finishing," said June Lockhart-Triolo, Marketing Manager/Art Director of J. Robert Scott.

Visit the DDB's J. Robert Scott showroom to see the Adelphi Lounge chair for yourself.

In the News: J. Robert Scott Patents Adelphi Lounge (Part 1 of 2)

AD100 designer Sally Sirkin Lewis has spent her entire design career working toward J. Robert Scott's Ombré Veneer collection. We were thrilled when we learned that a design patent had been issued for the Adelphi Lounge chair, a key piece in the collection.

The Adelphi Lounge features a strong angular profile and sweeping curvature of the wood frame. The lounge is shown in J. Robert Scott’s proprietary Ombré finishing technique, which produces a color transition of subtle gradients in intensity and shade from light to dark. The innovative Ombré finish concept results in one-of-a-kind examples of furniture as art.

"The collection, in its entirety, is without a doubt my life's work," said Sally, J. Robert Scott's president, founder, and Hall-of-Fame designer. "Seeing it patented recently is one of my proudest moments in design."

J. Robert Scott has established a rich brand heritage, where each item of furniture finished in the Ombré technique is signed and dated by designer Sally Sirkin Lewis, further enhancing the collectability of her work in the field. The U.S. Design Patent on the Adelphi Lounge joins a long list of  Sally's designs that have been granted patents over her nearly 40-year career.

Check back next week with GoDesignGo for more on Sally's success and the Adelphi Lounge chair.

Sally Sirkin Lewis debuts her life’s work

AD100 Designer Sally Sirkin Lewis has spent her entire design career working toward J. Robert Scott's Ombré Veneer Collection.
When we checked out the collection, we couldn't get over the smoothness of Ombré's texture or how sleek and fine it's look was. It wasn't until Sally found us relaxing on the Ombré chairs that we decided we should probably stop enjoying how comfortable they were and get to work—though she graciously encouraged us to take our time.
Sally got straight to the point; "Ombré is without a doubt my life's work. Seeing it patented recently is one of my proudest moments in design."
We can understand why. Sally and her team of craftsman selected each wood grain veneer to reveal its own character and over the years of its creation, the technique was patiently refined and treated as artistically delicate of watercolor painting. With veneer as the artistic canvas, accentuated by sheer, transparent color, the result is a completely original expression of decorative furniture finishing.



"We are all very aware that the complexities that went into Ombré's creation are difficult concepts to understand. Sally is extremely proud to have made this kind of a break-through in the field of furniture finishing," said June Lockhart-Triolo, Marketing Manager/Art Director of J. Robert Scott.

The name Ombré comes from a French word meaning “shade” or “shadow.” The hand-made nature of the finish exhibits a variation of subtle shades and gradients, ranging from light to dark, and the individual characteristics in the wood grain further enhance the singular nature of the finish. As no two fingerprints are identical, no two pieces finished with Ombré veneer will be identical.

The Luxury of La Creme

J. Robert Scott introduces the La Crème Collection designed by Sally Sirkin Lewis for J. Robert Scott.  A selection of 26 luxury textiles in the most seductive and sensuous colorway, Crème.  Included in the collection is Scheherazade a jacquard fabric incorporating a silky, brocade weave that creates added dimension to the surface design.   This spring, indulge yourself with the luxury of La Crème textiles.