Robbert Pattinson Tyler’s Love Story
Robbert Pattinson Tyler is a British designer and director of renowned London-based firm, ROBO TAYLOR. The designer’s exquisite craftsmanship and unique vision have made him a household name, and his work has been featured in prestigious publications such as Vogue and W Magazine. In addition to his work for ROBO TAYLOR, Tyler also has a strong client base including Tiffany and Céline. We were fortunate enough to hear from Tyler about his work and love story, and this is what he had to say.
The Designer
Robbert Pattinson Tyler began his design career at the tender age of 13, when he apprenticed under the watchful eye of his father, the late Peter Pattinson Tyler. His first major project was the renovation and design of their 17th-century ancestral home, Dunhill, in Berkshire. He later apprenticed with Richard Neutra and had his own studio in Los Angeles before returning to the UK in 1979. Since his return, Tyler has worked on a range of prestigious projects including some of the most prestigious private residences in the UK.
The Architectural Digest
Robbert Pattinson Tyler is renowned for his attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship, and this is evident in the exquisite, highly-detailed interiors he designs. His eye for detail is also apparent in the architectural features he designs, which are as meticulous and beautiful as the interiors. These features can be seen in the exclusive private residences he has worked on in the UK, as well as in the Grand Tour apartments he has designed for Intrepid Travel.
The Style
As well as being a designer and an architect, Robbert Pattinson Tyler is also a craftsman of great skill who is well-known for his furniture designs. He is also an art collector who has a passion for French design. Therefore, it is unsurprising that many of his pieces combine the best of both worlds – superb craftsmanship with beautiful design.
The Inspiration
From an early age, Tyler aspired to be a designer. He first exhibited an interest in fashion at the age of seven, when he designed and made a dress for his younger sister, Emily. From that moment, he knew he had found his calling. He later went on to study Architecture at Cambridge University, where he undertook his dissertation on Bauhaus architecture. After leaving university, Tyler apprenticed with noted architect, Richard Neutra, before establishing his own studio in Los Angeles.
A Vision And A Dream
“I had a vision, that is what it was,” says Tyler. “It came to me in a dream, during my sleep one night. I saw these houses and I said to myself, ‘That is how it should be made.’” The designer became entranced by the rich history of his family’s 17th-century ancestral home, Dunhill, in Berkshire. He subsequently set out to combine the best of modern living with a touch of vintage charm by undertaking the renovation and design of the historic building. The result was a glorious meeting of old and new.
The Discovery
In order to bring his dream to life, Tyler did extensive research into traditional cob building techniques, as well as visiting historic estates and abbeys across the UK in search of authentic building materials. The designer unearthed a wealth of information about Tudor architecture and began to incorporate his newfound knowledge into his own designs. He also travelled to Europe to source rare materials such as Italian marble and French timber for use in his interiors and furniture designs. The result is an eclectic mix of classic and modern styles that is incredibly unique and covetable.
Tudor Chic
Many of Tyler’s designs draw on his interest in Tudor architecture, which can be seen in the form of the highly-detailed, craftsmanship that is the hallmark of his work. He is particularly keen on incorporating ornamental brickwork and timber construction into his designs. These are materials that were prevalent during the Tudor period and can be found in abundance on the designer’s own ancestral lands in England. It would appear that Tyler’s love for all things Tudor is inherited, as he is the great-grandson of Charles Henry Langton, a leading English antiquarian and collector of early Tudor paintings and artifacts.
The Family
Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of Tyler’s work is the degree of collaboration he enjoys with his family. The designer’s mother, Joan, is an accomplished textile painter, who was the driving force behind many of Tyler’s early designs. His sister, Emily, is also an accomplished painter and was responsible for much of the decoration in the family’s London home in Knightsbridge. Furthermore, Emily designed the furniture for the family’s London residence. Finally, his brother, Mark, is responsible for the family’s art collection, which is housed in a gallery in London’s Victoria park.
The Romance
While the family aspects of Tyler’s work are certainly unique, it is the designer’s romantic inclinations that set him apart from the rest of the fashion world. As well as being a successful architect, Tyler is also an accomplished interior designer who has worked on some of the world’s most intimate and prestigious residences. It is therefore not surprising that one of his most ambitious and well-known projects to date is the restoration and complete re-design of the Hotel de Crillon in Paris. The hotel was the dream of his late wife, Elizabeth Taylor, and the couple were buried next to one another in the cemetery situated in the heart of the French capital. The hotel’s grand entrance hall is a memorable homage to the romanticism of the bygone era when Elizabeth Taylor first visited Paris as a bride in 1952.
A Wedding Bouquet
One of the most romantic moments attached to the designer’s work is his flower and gift basket wedding celebration to his wife, Elizabeth Taylor, after their civil ceremony in March 1982. Tyler’s desire to create unique pieces of lasting beauty for his wife inspired the creation of a gorgeous bouquet filled with 365 flowers – a rather fitting tribute to their entire married life. The designer also gifted Elizabeth Taylor with a pearl and diamond solitaire, which was subsequently declared a “wedding gift” in the UK. Furthermore, the designer presented his wife with an 18 karat gold and ruby encrusted “wedding ring” made in the form of a flower.
Sober Living
An important aspect of Tyler’s work ethos is that it is designed to promote “sober living”. The designer firmly believes that luxurious, well-designed living spaces contribute to happier, healthier homes. This is why he embraces an organic, minimalist design with plant-based textures, and why he is a strong advocate of green design.
The Future
It is hard to predict what the future holds for an incredibly talented designer who is clearly adored by his clients. With so much to look forward to, Tyler is well-placed to create magical pieces that his fans will covet. It seems only fitting that we should close on this note, with an overview of the designer’s impressive portfolio.
The designer’s unique take on traditional craftsmanship and his ability to combine the best of both worlds make him a truly memorable individual in the worlds of architecture, design and fashion. It is apparent that Tyler has not lost his youthful passion for design, and with new projects on the horizon, there is no reason to doubt that he will continue to create pieces as exquisite as those we have already witnessed.