The House Directory member TallBoy Interiors is a Yorkshire-based business founded by Matt Dixon. Specialising in sourcing and supplying antique furniture, the company also offers an interior design service. In addition, in 2022 Matt launched FORM by TallBoy.  Working with craftspeople across the UK, this new arm produces, high-quality, bespoke furniture, hardware and accessories. 

Can you tell us about your background – how did TallBoy Interiors come into being?

I always had an interest in history and design. Once I finished sixth form, I knew I wanted to be involved in interior design, so signed up to an Open University course, while at the same time buying and selling things I found interesting. The course spoke a lot about design rules and to be honest, I didn’t agree with everything so it fired me up to push on without adhering to those rules. The thing I did find useful was learning about design periods throughout history, and that’s where I found my passion for antiques. I left school at 18 and set up TallBoy Interiors five days before my 19th Birthday in April 2015.

Where do you source antiques from, and how?

I’ll go anywhere to find the perfect piece. I was told by successful people in the trade to never say no to an auction, a house call or a market – everything is worth visiting as you never know what you will find. Our key areas include UK auctions, the Scottish borders and the South of France and we are out most days. I don’t often buy from pictures, I like to physically hunt the items as buying in person is one of the best parts of the job. I’m a believer in embracing the originality of a piece, so all of our antiques are untouched and show their age handsomely.

What, in your opinion, are the benefits of antiques over new pieces?

Antiques are unquestionably the most sustainable way to buy furniture for your home. Modern, mass-produced, imported items have huge negative impacts on the environment, from production to shipping to waste, while the opposite is true of vintage pieces. They are also, for the most part, made by hand from solid timber and tend to be one-offs, which makes a home feel unique and original. I believe every interior should incorporate antiques – a few choice items in each room adds a character and charm that really elevates a space.

Social media played a big role in the growth of TallBoy – can you tell us about that?

When I first started, social media was unparalleled in the way it could propel a business and I was the right age to understand how to use it to build a brand. The Instagram community was amazing and it helped me, a twenty-something lad from Yorkshire, reach a huge national and even international audience – without it, I would never have gained the same exposure. Now, it’s completely saturated and driven by ad revenue and it’s far trickier to build on.

Where is the company based?

We are a Yorkshire-based business and currently we have a showroom in a Georgian chapel in the beautiful market town of Malton, and a 3500 sqft warehouse just off the A1 near Leeds. I started out in my parent’s garage, where I set up a small workshop-cum photo studio. Within a couple of years, I got lucky as a friend of a family friend had an old stable building with large doors for loading and unloading and we kept that space right up until we took on the current showroom. I’ve loved the journey over the last 10 years and can’t wait to see where we go next.

You’ve launched a bespoke manufacturing arm –what was the catalyst for that?

We work primarily with trade clients who often require well-made, modern pieces alongside antiques. Bespoke manufacturing means we can offer our own designs that can be adjusted to their needs, as well as totally one-off pieces for a specific project. This means if we can’t source the perfect antique, we can now make something to suit. We also want to celebrate the wealth of talented, British craftspeople, who create high-quality pieces for fair prices, and to keep their incredible skills alive.

What do you offer in terms of your bespoke range?

We’ve been producing our own range for a little over 18 months, so it is constantly being developed. The collection includes seating, mirrors, lighting and blacksmith-made tables and we can also make beds, soft furnishings, wall panelling, bannisters and external gates and fences. We’ve also started making smaller details such as drawer pulls, door handles and curtain rails. Everything is handmade using sustainable materials and it’s a very personal service with a quick lead-time. We collaborate with joiners and upholsterers with 40+ years’ experience, an award-winning blacksmith and a 2nd generation cabinetmaker who has worked on historical properties around the UK. We’re building more relationships with other talented individuals, but these guys have given us an amazing foundation and their abilities are unmatched.

What is it that you love most about what you do?

There is so much I love about my work, but the main things are travelling around the UK and Europe sourcing beautiful pieces, meeting amazing people and seeing the incredible properties that our pieces end up in.

What’s next for TallBoy?

I’ve plenty of ideas but for now, the aim is to focus on expanding the bespoke arm of the business. I’d love for our company to be the first name that springs to mind when people need exceptional antiques or a high-quality, bespoke piece made by brilliant craftspeople.

Showroom address:

TallBoy Interiors : Saville House, Saville St, Malton YO17 7LL

Opening times

Tuesday – 11am to 4pm
Thursday – 11am to 4pm
Friday – 11am to 4pm
Saturday – 10am to 4pm
(Otherwise contact to arrange viewing by appointment)

tallboyinteriors@yahoo.co.uk
tallboyinteriors.co.uk

We hope you have enjoyed learning about our valued member, TallBoy Interiors.  Click here to read more inspiring blog posts.