Guillerme et Chambron

This midcentury, polished light oak secretary by the celebrated French designer Robert Guillerme, was created as part of a line of design he produced for the company Votre Maison. When dropped, the top reveals several shelves. The lower part of the cabinet has eight drawers.

Guillerme placed equal emphasis on function and aesthetics, creating a look as staid as it was arresting. While his work was in many ways distinctively conservative and recognizable from project to project, both in form as well as in medium—his wood of choice, waxed oak, was often either lightened or darkened to the same few tones—Guillerme’s pieces also possessed an unusual flare.