Heritage, Craft and Vision: Paul McLaughlin, Managing Director at The Libra Company, on Shaping Timeless Interiors

With more than 25 years of experience in the interiors industry, Paul McLaughlin, Managing Director at The Libra Company offers a valuable perspective on what it takes to build a brand that stands the test of time. In this interview, he reflects on the company’s unique heritage—rooted in his parents’ travels sourcing antiques—while also sharing how Libra continues to evolve through bespoke design, long-standing global partnerships, and a strong commitment to sustainability.

Discover how these core principles shape Libra’s approach today, as Paul discusses the brand’s creative process, its collaborative work with artisans, and the company’s future direction.

Paul McLaughlin, Managing Director at The Libra Company

1. Paul, The Libra Company has an incredible heritage, beginning with your parents’ journey across continents collecting antiques and artefacts. Can you share the story of how Libra was founded and how it has grown into the business it is today?

Libra’s journey began with my parents, on their three year road trip to India in search of unique antiques and artifacts. They established the company upon their return to the UK with the intention of offering distinctive home furnishings that reflected the rich history of the cultures they witnessed on their travels. Over the last 53 years, Libra has expanded its product offer to create an eclectic, timeless collection which simply cannot be found elsewhere. Through our commitment to quality and craftsmanship, we have cultivated a reputation for curating exceptional designs, turning Libra into a leading name in the interiors industry.

2. Bespoke design and sourcing are at the heart of what makes Libra unique. How do you work with clients to develop tailored pieces, and what does it take to bring these exclusive designs to life?

At Libra, bespoke design is integral to our offer. We collaborate closely with clients to understand their requirements and develop collections to suit. Our talented design team in the UK and India work closely together to spot trends and create new direction. We share concepts with our close factory network to produce one-of-a-kind products that align perfectly with our clients’ aesthetic and functional needs. The process involves detailed exploration of materials, shapes, and finishes. Bringing these exclusive designs to life requires precision, creativity, and skilled craftsmanship. An experienced team of inspectors sign off each and every product in to maintain our exacting quality standards.

Our Mission : Libra’s mission has always remained the same: to bring style, beauty and unique design to home. That’s why we work with designers, makers and studios from around the world to deliver a broad and exciting product selection. We aim to provide our own distinctive and unique take on the latest trends, all grounded in our uniquely craft-based supply chain. The result is that every Libra product has a luxurious look and quality feel that cannot be found elsewhere. Delivering the latest trends, timeless pieces and exceptional quality, whatever your interior design style.

3. You’ve built strong relationships with artisans and makers around the globe, allowing Libra to curate collections that can’t be found elsewhere. How do these partnerships shape your product ranges, and what does it mean to work so closely with your suppliers?

Our relationships with artisans and makers worldwide are fundamental to our business. We enjoy a unique partnership with our largest Indian supplier who offer us an unrivalled production facility and exclusivity within Europe.

Their skilled craftsmen share our commitment to quality and innovation and enable us to offer products which are truly unique in our market.

This partnership spans over 40 years and enables us to offer exclusive products with a distinctive edge.

Working in this way ensures that we can maintain the highest standards while respecting traditional methods of production, resulting in products that are both timeless and beautifully crafted.

4. Sustainability has been embedded in Libra’s DNA for decades, from repurposing materials in Indonesia to ensuring ethical production today. How are you continuing to push sustainability forward, and what steps are you taking to ensure your products meet the highest ethical standards?

Sustainability has been at the heart of our business for decades, since the days when my late father found ways to use up wooden off-cuts from furniture production back in the early 1990s. Today’s focus remains absolutely upon ethical production. Our Head of Compliance and Quality teams select our manufacturing partners carefully based on specific criteria, SEDEX membership and ethical production. We plant a tree for every order placed by our customers, minimise plastic use in packaging and prioritize eco-friendly materials in production. As a family business our aim is to leave a legacy of conscientiously produced products that look beautiful and contribute positively to the planet.

5. Staying ahead of the market requires not only a sharp eye for trends but also an instinct for what’s next. How does Libra anticipate shifts in interior style, and how do you ensure your collections remain both timeless and exciting?

To stay ahead of the curve, we constantly monitor emerging design trends while staying true to Libra’s core aesthetic.

Our Head of Creative and buying team are continually travelling, researching global interior trends and seeking inspiration from the world of fashion, ensuring our collection remains both timeless and innovative. By keeping a pulse on the industry and maintaining a keen eye for evolving styles, we are able to offer products that feel fresh and relevant while also embodying enduring beauty that can withstand the test of time.

6. Libra works across a range of sectors, from luxury residential to hospitality and retail. What types of projects do you typically collaborate on, and how does your product offering adapt to suit different spaces and client needs?

Libra has had the privilege of working across a range of sectors, including luxury residential, hospitality, and retail.

For each project, we adapt our offering to meet the specific needs of the space and client. We operate a good, better, best model to ensure we cater to a range of taste and budget. Whether it’s sourcing bespoke furniture for a Dubai villa or creating a cohesive look for a hotel lobby, we ensure that each product complements the overall design vision. Our collection of over 1500 products allows us to cater to the unique requirements of every project, making us a trusted partner in high-end interiors.

7. With such a diverse product range, Libra has been involved in some remarkable projects. Can you share 2 case studies which highlight your ability to source and create standout pieces for a client?

In a recent luxury hotel project, we sourced rare Indian antiques and developed custom-designed lighting fixtures that complemented the client’s vision of a refined, opulent space. In another project, one of our concessions within a high-end retail store required retail only statement pieces to elevate the store’s offer. We curated unique, bespoke furniture and art that enhanced the store’s atmosphere, blending contemporary design with timeless elegance.

8. After more than 50 years, Libra is still family-owned and continues to evolve. What’s next for the business, and how do you see Libra continuing to inspire homes and interiors in the years to come?

After over half a century of trading, Libra is still a family-owned business with a bright future ahead. We continue to evolve by embracing new technologies including AI, expanding our sustainable practices, and exploring new global partnerships. We are active in the Middle East, having met several new clients at Hospitality Innovation events in Dubai and Riyadh over the last 12 months.  

Our goal is to continue inspiring homes and interiors with designs that reflect both timeless style and innovation. As we look to the future, we remain committed to delivering exceptional collections that tell a story, enhance interiors, and enrich the lives of our clients. My three children are all under 12 but each one has expressed an interest in continuing the family business. We will continue to grow the UK and overseas, and I look forward to the day I can hand the reins over to a third generation.

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About Alys Bryan

Alys is a knowledgeable design editor who is focused on instigating conversations, both online and in-person, with industry experts which challenge, educate and advance the commercial interior sector. Her training and 15 years of professional experience as a furniture designer for the commercial sector makes her uniquely placed to lead Design Insider as Editor
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