The New/Old Flat-Pack: Knock-Down Wardrobes from Howe London

Flat-pack furniture may seem like a new invention, borne from the modern-day realities of small apartments and frequent moves—but leave it to Howe London to, well, dismantle that assumption.

Take-apart furniture, the antiques retailer and bespoke furniture makers point out, has roots in old French design and portable campaign furniture. And Howe London’s own take on the tradition, the Knock-Down Wardrobe, is designed, they say, “to easily dismantle or ‘knock-down’ in the same practical way the French conceived their ‘armoires’ in the 18th and 19th [centuries] and reminiscent of military campaign furniture intended to uphold a degree of home comfort for officers traveling abroad.”

With time-tested construction and nods to old design, the Knock-Down Wardrobe is well primed to fit with the practicalities of contemporary life (small doorways, for example). Take a look.

howe london knock down wardrobe 0 Above: The Knock-Down Wardrobe is handmade in Douglas fir, with Shaker paneled doors and sides. It’s currently in stock in marigold yellow and olive-y green, though it can be custom made in all sorts of measurements and hues. howe london knock down wardrobe 1 Above: The wardrobe in white. “The panels are held together simply and securely with beech pegs, which can be removed so that the wardrobe easily dismantles and can be ‘flat-packed’ in order to fit through narrow spaces, up windy stairs with ease, and transported at less expense,” according to Howe London. howe london knock down wardrobe 2 Above: The wardrobe makes an excellent linen closet and can be fitted with adjustable rails or shelves.
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Above L: A detail of the joinery. Above R: The wardrobe features hand-forged lift-off hinges and locks, or the option for a concealed hinge instead.
howe london knock down wardrobe 5 Above: The wardrobe starts at £8,910; see how it can be put together here.

And for more (modern) flat-pack options, see: