Totem Road
Totem Road is one of those rare finds—a furniture brand that not only truly makes beautiful things, but makes them with the utmost care. Their Paddington showroom is a calm, sunlit space filled with handcrafted pieces made from natural materials (where you’ll spot our linens too). We’re long-time fans, so it's a joy to see our products alongside such brilliant craftsmanship.
Launched in 2015 by founder Don Garvan, Totem Road is all about creating furniture that lasts. Think: a ‘buy once, buy well’ approach to living. We strive to work with brands that share our values, and Totem Road ticks all the boxes. They care about design, the planet and the people who use their products. Plus, visiting their showroom is like visiting a calming oasis of excellent design.
Linen Napkin in Pinot, Extra-Large Placemat Set in Sangria, Linen Napkin Set in Olive, Coral Oval Dining Table
We recently caught up with them to chat about sustainability, design and what’s next for Totem Road (hint: a big birthday is coming up).
We absolutely love having our linen stocked in your amazing store - tell us the background to Totem Road for those who don’t know?
Totem Road is a sustainable furniture company that brings you home to nature. Our Founder, Don Garvan, launched Totem Road in 2015 with the aim of connecting customers to nature and making them rethink the way we consume. Using only natural materials, we invite our customers to bring nature into their homes in a high quality, memorable and meaningful way. We focus on seasonless and timeless designs, inspired by a relaxed way of life that invites togetherness and connection.
Quilted Bedcover in Olive, Duvet Set in Tobacco Stripes, Pillowcase Set in Olive, Lagos Bed
Our values are very much the same which is what we love - why is being so eco-friendly so important to you when designing furniture?
We love working with partners who have the same values! Our business philosophy has remained consistent over the past decade when it comes to sustainability. We believe that when you’re surrounded by nature, you feel good and we want to help our customers feel good too. We believe in mindful consumption and we believe in giving and taking in equal measures. That’s why we use FSC Certified Oak and create designs made from nature. It’s why we produce only what we need, why we partner with the best ethical factories and why we’re B-Corp Certified. Ultimately, we want to give our customers better options for them and for our planet.
Linen Napkin in Pinot, Extra-Large Placemat Set in Sangria, Linen Napkin Set in Olive, Coral Oval Dining Table
Can you tell us about your product range?
Our philosophy is simple, to minimise the impact modern throwaway culture has on our planet by creating timeless, hard-wearing furniture that holds value and relevance beyond a single lifetime. We focus on materials which allow you to care for and repair your furniture over time, rather than replace. We don’t believe in trends, some of our products have been available from the inception of Totem Road, nearly ten years ago. Each piece is thoughtfully designed, mindfully made and individually numbered, handcrafted to be cherished for years to come.
Quilted Bedcover in Olive, Duvet Set in Tobacco Stripes, Pillowcase Set in Olive, Lagos Bed
We know that you not only do bedding furniture but also dining as well - was there anything else?
We’re well-known for our solid oak bedframes, in particular our best-selling Lagos Bed and Aria Bed. Our dining range is also very popular due to the longevity of solid oak materials and non-toxic finishes, which is perfect for family living. Not to mention our storage range which has a timeless appeal, and is a considered design when it comes to the functionality. You’ll find sleek soft close drawers, hidden compartments and adjustable shelves to meet storage needs. Our range also expands to exceptionally crafted sofas, office desks, coffee tables and more.
Quilted Bedcover in Olive, Duvet Set in Tobacco Stripes, Pillowcase Set in Olive, Lagos Bed
Was there anything else that our audience should know about Totem Road or what’s planned in 2025?
We take a lot of pride in our showroom experience, seeing our product in person is important to understand the craft, material and finishes. We welcome customers to visit us on Oxford Street in Paddington and experience Totem Road in person. Finally, we’re excited to be celebrating ten years of sustainable design this year. August will mark a decade of Totem Road! Plans are in the works but we look forward to celebrating and acknowledging ten years of Totem Road in a meaningful way.
