Terence Conran (1931–2020,) in full Sir Terence Orby Conran, was an English designer, retailer, restaurateur, and entrepreneur. He is credited with making stylish housewares and home décor available to a broader market beginning in the 1960s. He was married to the British novelist Shirley Conran (1955–62) and was the father of designer Jasper Conran.
Born in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, Conran was educated at Bryanston School, Dorset. He founded and ran the Habitat Company (1971) based on his success as a furniture designer and “good virtues design” and marketing. He was involved in managing several related businesses such as Richard Shops, Conran Stores, Habitat Mothercare, and several restaurants such as Le Pont de la Tour and Mezzo in London.
Conran published a variety of books about interior design, gardening, and cooking, including The House Book (1974,) Terence Conran’s Kitchen Book (1993,) The Essential Home Book (1994,) and Terence Conran on Restaurants (2000.)
Conran established the Design Museum in London in 1989. It relocated to the former Commonwealth Institute in Kensington in London in 2012.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Terence Conran
Perhaps believing in good design is like believing in God, it makes you an optimist.
—Terence Conran
Topics: Design
Arguably the only goods people need these days are food and happiness.
—Terence Conran
Topics: Necessity
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