From Bespoke Interiors to Enduring Comfort: Chris Cooke’s Vision for King Living

The contemporary design landscape continues to blur traditional boundaries between automotive and residential comfort, creating opportunities for cross-industry collaboration that brings fresh perspectives to established markets. When discerning consumers seek cohesive experiences that extend from their vehicles into their living spaces, forward-thinking brands respond with strategic appointments that bridge these distinct yet complementary realms.

King Living has made such a strategic move by welcoming Chris Cooke as their new Design Mentor, bringing over a decade of expertise from Bentley Motors to the Australian furniture brand. Born in the UK and now based in Sydney, Cooke joins with a distinguished global career across interior, product, and furniture design. This appointment represents more than a personnel change; it signals a convergence of automotive precision with high-end residential furniture craftsmanship. How will Cooke’s collaborative experience with celebrated designers and his emphasis on user experience transform King Living’s approach to modular, sustainable design?

The Bentley Blueprint: Collaborative Design Excellence

Chris Cooke’s ascent within Bentley Motors reads like a masterclass in design leadership and strategic collaboration. His most recent role spanned over a decade, during which he progressed from designing materials and finishes to leading interior design and ultimately heading the Lifestyle and Global Collaborations team. This evolution positioned him to oversee a diverse portfolio from automotive vehicle interiors and the Bentley Home furniture collection to bespoke projects like the Bentley Residences in Miami.

Cooke’s collaborative experience proved as expansive as his portfolio, having worked with celebrated designers including Philippe Starck, Carlo Colombo, and Federico Peri. His partnerships with brands such as Macallan, Naim, and Graf von Faber-Castell further reflect his ability to combine high-end design with enduring performance. These collaborations required him to understand not only Bentley’s design language but also the manufacturing constraints and aesthetic requirements of partner brands.

The scope of his responsibilities extended far beyond traditional automotive design to encompass lifestyle products and residential spaces. His mandate included designing key touch points beyond the vehicle for Bentley’s global brand presence, a challenge that demanded both creative vision and strategic thinking. This holistic approach to brand experience influenced everything from material selection to spatial planning, establishing him as a thought leader in design collaboration.

His work on comprehensive architectural projects, most notably the Bentley Residences in Miami and the Bentley Cube in Seoul, demonstrated his ability to create narrative-driven spaces that embodied Bentley’s design philosophy in built environments. These projects featured his integration of Bentley’s signature Diamond concept throughout the spaces, showcasing his skill in working at multiple scales while maintaining design coherence. Each space incorporated distinctive Bentley design cues styled harmoniously throughout, from private swimming pools to the innovative Dezervator car elevator system.

King Living’s Foundation: Where Mentorship Meets Modular Design

King Living’s established design philosophy provides an ideal foundation for Cooke’s automotive-influenced approach and mentoring capabilities. Established in Sydney in 1977, the company has built a reputation as a designer, manufacturer, and retailer of contemporary, modular furniture with timeless appeal. Their commitment to timeless design, adaptable living, and sustainability aligns closely with the values he championed at Bentley.

The technical innovations that define King Living’s approach demonstrate their commitment to engineering excellence that resonates with Cooke’s automotive background. Their pioneering use of steel frames, backed by an industry-leading 25-year warranty, reflects a dedication to durability that parallels automotive engineering standards. The recyclable nature of these steel frames supports their commitment to sustainable design practices. Their Postureflex® Seating System, explicitly inspired by European car suspension systems, creates a direct connection point with his automotive expertise.

As a vertically integrated business, King Living designs all furniture in-house and manufactures in its own state-of-the-art facilities, ensuring consistent craftsmanship and enduring quality. This approach aligns with Cooke’s understanding of material integrity and build quality. “The team has a deep respect for materiality, craftsmanship and longevity. All qualities that align with my own design values,” says Cooke. “There is a relentless focus on user experience and build quality, always in harmony with the final aesthetic.”

Cooke steps into a pivotal role at King Living, guiding the future of the brand’s design direction while mentoring the next generation of design talent within the in-house studio. His experience in managing complex international collaborations while maintaining brand consistency aligns with King Living’s global presence across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and China. The company’s family-owned structure and commitment to shaping the future of furniture provides an ideal environment for his mentoring approach.

David King, Founder of King Living, emphasizes the strategic nature of this appointment: “Chris brings a rare combination of global experience and a deep respect for craftsmanship. At King, we believe timeless design is born from a relentless pursuit of quality, values that Chris lives and breathes. His vision aligns perfectly with ours.” This alignment extends to King Living’s unique culture where obsessive attention to detail and a commitment to sustainable, modular design go hand in hand.

What This Means for King Living’s Future

Cooke’s vision for King Living builds upon these established foundations while introducing new possibilities for material innovation and design refinement. His experience with Bentley’s exploration of new materials and sustainability positions him to push boundaries in textiles, recycled content, and sustainable manufacturing processes. The holistic design approach that characterized his work on Bentley residences suggests potential expansions in King Living’s product offerings and design philosophy.

Expected developments include enhanced tactile and visual qualities in fabric selections, advanced sustainable textiles, refined surface finishes inspired by automotive precision, and improved construction techniques drawing from automotive manufacturing. His background in integrating digital interfaces with physical comfort, evident in modern Bentley vehicles, could influence future smart home integrations in King Living products. The emphasis on creating cocooning havens that defined his automotive work may translate into furniture pieces that provide enhanced comfort and personal sanctuary within the home.

Cooke was drawn to King Living’s unique approach to longevity and value. “Many brands claim to value longevity, but King Living builds it into every part of the product,” he explains. “That dedication to modular design, a timeless aesthetic and long-term value is something that sets them apart globally.” His appointment signals recognition that expertise from adjacent sectors can provide fresh perspectives and solutions, reflecting a broader understanding that consumers expect coherent experiences across all aspects of their lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chris Cooke’s background?

Chris Cooke spent over a decade at Bentley Motors, progressing from materials and finishes designer to Head of Lifestyle and Global Collaborations. He worked with celebrated designers including Philippe Starck, Carlo Colombo, and Federico Peri, and led collaborations with brands like Macallan and Graf von Faber-Castell.

What will Cooke’s role involve at King Living?

As Design Mentor, Cooke will guide the future of King Living’s design direction while mentoring the next generation of design talent within the in-house studio. He emphasizes a relentless focus on user experience and build quality in harmony with aesthetic form.

How does this appointment benefit King Living?

Cooke brings automotive-grade precision and material expertise to enhance King Living’s construction quality, introduce new sustainable materials, and potentially expand into bespoke customization options and smart home integration.

A Strategic Vision for Australian Design

As Chris Cooke transitions to life in Australia, he expresses enthusiasm for the opportunity to contribute to a brand that is redefining timeless design for a new era. “The chance to mentor a talented team, help shape the brand’s future direction and be part of Australia’s growing and increasingly influential design industry made the move both inspiring and strategically exciting,” he notes.

His appointment represents a strategic master stroke that positions King Living at the forefront of furniture design, combining automotive precision with sustainable design expertise and holistic lifestyle vision. The convergence of his Bentley experience with King Living’s established values creates unprecedented opportunities for redefining what residential furniture can achieve in terms of craftsmanship, sustainability, and user experience.

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