Since 1967 - The quality - French country decorating
Solid oak french furniture
The story begins in 1967 when Henry de Tonge starts to craft oak furniture in his small workshop in Provence.
With his father working with antiques, Henry de Tonge got interested in furniture and drawn by the scents of finishing which were coming out of these antique furnishings. The choice to work with oak is because it is a noble and great wood, the trees can live up to a half millennium; a whole symbol of strength through ages and traditions.
DE TONGE furniture is then exclusively made of solid oak, including parts such as braces and pins.
Soon, the reputation was built: the quality products and the style by DE TONGE touched the large public and furniture professionals.
Innovative oak kitchen - 1980
With furniture being the core of DE TONGE’s activity, Henry de Tonge opened himself to the world of kitchens, determined to bring it DE TONGE’s print and style. The inspiration came from the kitchens of the past which DE TONGE would reinvent to make them "rooms to live in".
Far from the conventional style of standard-size kitchens, DE TONGE’s solid oak kitchens are elegant and practical. Space is modified, wooden braces and frame cases are being added to imitate masonry and innovative ideas take place such as lowered work boards.
DE TONGE is awarded for several kitchens, the last being the Bastide kitchen and receiving a gold medal from the magazine "Cuisine et Bains" (Kitchens and Baths) in 2005.
Color painted furniture - 1991
Search for new inspirations…colors, colors of Life, living furniture, colored furniture; the idea was born! Oak furniture, painted with warm colors becomes the new trend of DE TONGE’s creations.
In 1991 a new collection is born and named "Provence" as a comeback to the roots and a tribute to the region where the "Art of Living" takes its true meaning.
DE TONGE introduces its new collection of colored furniture to the "Salon du Meuble" exhibit in Paris in 1991 and becomes a pioneer in what will be widely followed later on as an important trend in interior decor.
At the same period, the decision is made to sell products exclusively in the DE TONGE showroom to create living spaces and reproduce typical Provençal villages with magnificent decors as French country homes (showroom Valbonne).
At the Furniture International Show held in Paris in 2005, DE TONGE is once again the center of attention with the new collection of bursting "acid" colors. These creations are definitely noticed, including by the media France 2 and Canal+.
Time has gone by for DE TONGE and its creator, from the days of the little craftsman workshop to becoming a national reference of home décor and furniture. But what matters more than just a commercial success, is the pride of being able to constantly present new creations that shake trends while remaining faithful to our values.