Sleek White And Newton Westbourne Teak Sideboard By Phillip Hussey

The Westbourne teak sideboard by White + Newton was designed by the as yet little known Philip Hussey. There are definite Danish influences to it’s lovely clean lines, and it has similarities to a model designed by Arne Hovmand Olsen for Mogens Kold. It was one of the first models he designed for them in around 1964/5.

We have the original catalogue from c 1970 where it was described as ” in teak finish , clean and finely proportioned with extensive use of solid teak ”. It was designed in the mid 1960s, and was made into the early 1970s. It has it’s original lift-out melamine small drinks tray.

This model is in our top 10 favourites of pieces of British teak from the 1960s. White + Newton of Portsmouth employed around 300 people c 1970, and were a medium sized maker of contemporary pieces of a quality equivalent to that of G Plan and McIntosh. We rate their sideboards as being much more stylish and individual than their competitors at this time.

White + Newton used a particularly high varnished sprayed finish which protects the surfaces well if the original care instructions are followed. G Plan, A Younger, White and Newton and others recommended wiping only, and said not to use furniture sprays or polishes ! Most of the sprays actually remove some of the finish over time allowing dirt and marks to get into the wood. If this happens, which it usually does then the original varnish needs to be removed, which takes a lot of time. Early 1960s pieces were usually given an oiled finish, and when we replace varnished ones like this, this is what we do. We then recommend a natural non silicon beeswax spray from time to time to keep it looking good. 

We’ve removed the original polyurethane finish, cleaned it and given it a natural oiled finish as was used on most early 1960s teak. We think this is nicer and less shiny and as long as used with care it’s equally as easy to keep clean. There are no obvious marks, scratches or damage, just the very minor signs of wear that you have to expect on any vintage piece if you look extremely closely.