Know-how

History of the brand

The story begins in 1967 when DE TONGE starts to manufacture oak furniture in a small workshop in Provence.
With his father working antiques, Henry de TONGE got interested in furniture and got filled with the scents of finishing and the indefinable charm, which were coming out of the antique furnishings.

DE TONGE furniture is then exclusively made of solid oak, in a rustic style with a finishing which reminds the antique furnishings.

Later, with the creation of the « IVORY » finishing, DE TONGE modernizes his collection thanks to a special treatment that whitens and varnishes the oak.

Soon, the reputation was built: the products quality and the style by DE TONGE touched the large public and furniture professionals. So that in the mid-eighties in France, more than 60 retailers were proposing DE TONGE furniture just like several shops in other countries, including a prestigious showroom in New York.

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.

1991... creation of colour painted furniture! Colours of life, living furniture, coloured furniture: the idea was born! Oak furniture painted with warm colours, becomes the new trend of DE TONGE's creations.

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 coloured furniture during 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 decoration.

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.

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" colours. These creations are definitely noticed, including by the media France 2 and Canal+.

In the last few years, DE TONGE adopted a more contemporary style as shown in the « Loft Space » in Valbonne showroom.

In 2009, the showroom moved from Valbonne to a new and unique place in Mougins. This new space gives the opportunity to present the evolution of DE TONGE's style: the ability to constantly present new creations that shakes trends while remaining faithful to traditional values. An example of the successful fusion of timeless elements with contemporary inspirations is given by the kitchen named « Palm Beach ».