40+ Years of Beloved Furniture Designs
Our Company
WD Western Designers Furnishings Ltd. was founded in 1980 by the expert upholstery craftsman of the legendary Vancouver firm Small & Boyes. The business was purchased from the original owner in 2013 by Allan Switzer, former creative director of the William Switzer group of companies. Mr. Switzer’s reputation and talent have resulted in 40-plus years of exquisite fine furniture manufacturing.
Mr. Switzer has received numerous industry awards over his career, including accolades from Interior Design Magazine, Architectural Digest magazine, and the Robb Report’s Best of Best Furniture in 2006 for his design of the Lucien Rollin and Andre Arbus collections. WD is a ‘to-the-trade’ multi-line showroom featuring some of the world’s finest textiles, wall coverings and furniture. The SOLO collection by Allan Switzer is handcrafted in the WD atelier in Vancouver.
Ethically Responsible Products
Eschewing offshore production, WD is known for its craftsmanship and integrity. WD is mindful of its impact in the Pacific Northwest and respectful of the environment (a big part of life on the West Coast). WD is committed to using only locally sourced FSC-certified timbers and the finest Earth-friendly products. We exclude petroleum-based materials and rely on renewable down filling sourced directly from Nova Scotia. Our collections have been carbon-neutral since 2012.
The talented artisans at WD also provide recovery and restoration for various upholstered furniture pieces. This service is available for former clients as well as any items built outside our studio. We take great pride in creating sustainable, eco-friendly furniture that reflects our values. Our products don’t end up in landfills.
Our Clientele
Representing world-renowned textiles, wall coverings and accessories, WD caters to some of the industry’s most talented interior and architectural designers. WD works on commercial and residential projects in Vancouver, Whistler, Vancouver Island and the United States.
People who acquire our carriage trade pieces understand they are not paying for a brand name label. Our products are investments in handcrafted quality for long-term functional beauty and comfort. WD is respected worldwide by those who appreciate the best in their homes, hotels, and other commercial spaces. International clients have commissioned WD based on word-of-mouth referrals and Allan Switzer’s reputation within the furniture design community.
About Allan Switzer
Born in Calgary, Alberta, Allan Switzer is an award-winning designer, painter, and visual artist whose career in furniture began in 1968 when he joined William Switzer and Associates in Vancouver. He would continue to expand his knowledge of timbers at the Titchmarsh & Goodwin firm in Ipswich, Suffolk, England. In 1970, he travelled to Sonseca, Spain, to supervise the creation of the first William Switzer factory. Allan developed different collections for the company before acquiring Western Designers in 1980.
Allan Switzer holds a degree in Philosophy from York University in Toronto (B.A. Philosophy 1977) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design in Vancouver (1990). Additionally, he completed his Master’s degree in Fine Art at Concordia University in Montreal in 1992. His work has been showcased in various solo and group exhibitions across Canada and the United States and has featured prominently in numerous publications over the years.