Our Story
Rooted in NatureHow It All Began
Timber, House of Exclusive was founded in 2005 by Vijayalakshmi (Viji) Saravanan. During a trip to Indonesia to visit her sister, she was captivated by the high-quality, well-designed teak furniture available at reasonable prices.
In a market flooded with MDF, rubberwood, and compressed wood, teakwood furniture stood out as a superior choice due to its antique appearance, near-lifetime durability, and customizable finishes.
Viji had a primary focus on Victorian, Rococo, Gothic, and Chippendale-inspired designs featuring elements such as fluted legs, canopy carvings, Queen Anne legs, and luxurious fabrics.
From a Home to a Showroom
Inspired by her interest in interior design, she purchased a container of furniture for her home. After renovating her house, the compliments from friends and relatives poured in, sparking the idea to start a small business selling exclusive teak furniture.
In 2005, she launched a furniture showroom, Timber, on the first floor of her house in Rutland Gate 4th Street, with financial support from her husband. Within a few months, Viji was delighted to see her furniture selling rapidly.
Customers were impressed by the cost and finish, as there was no other place in Chennai offering such quality. Without any advertisements, the positive feedback from satisfied customers spread by word of mouth.
A Thriving Family Business
As the business grew, she needed more investment and had to fully dedicate her time to Timber. She convinced her husband to help with logistics and diversified Timber into a comprehensive furniture showroom catering to all tastes.
Timber now customizes furniture based on customer requirements, provides after-sales service for damage or customization (even years later), offers design advice for homes, restaurants and offices, and helps customers secure the best deals on bedding, fabric, marble, and glass as well.
Today, it is a thriving family business with regular customers from all around India. Timber primarily sells teakwood furniture but also specializes in mahogany, solid wood, rattan and cane. Viji’s son, Abhinav, a practicing architect in Chennai manages the day-to-day operations.
