Our History
03/13/2021
Today, Leland’s story is intertwined with many people, products, and places. But every good story starts somewhere. And ours started with Tim Korzon.
At a young age, in his father’s basement, Tim experimented with woodworking tools. He tinkered and learned like all children do —a little at a time. An activity was quickly turning into a passion. And as much as Tim shaped objects, they began to shape him.
Finding Another Love.
In the early 70s, Tim followed a young, beautiful musician named Sherry to San Francisco where her band had a record contract. One marriage and 49 years later, Tim and Sherry both still care deeply about their craft; for him, design; for her, singing. After Tim moved across the Golden Gate bridge, he learned about a local furniture craftsman whose name was fitting: Art “Espenet” Carpenter. Tim’s timing was right, as there was a resurgence of craft happening across America. He visited Espenet’s studio, introduced himself, and kept coming back—again and again—until he was accepted as an apprentice. A journey that began in the basement of his home had now put him in the presence of an American legend.
A Wish Come True.
In that studio, the first chair Tim ever built was the “Wishbone” chair —a mostly wooden design that sold for $125. Today you can buy one at auction for about $18,000— on the rare occasion they pop up.
After years of learning and honing his craft, Tim and Sherry moved to Santa Monica. This is where Tim established himself as a furniture maker for A-list music and movie celebrities. But it was never fully satisfying. And based on this dissatisfaction, Tim founded Leland in 1992 with the introduction of a single product—the Marquette chair.
A Start Is Born.
When Marquette was launched, it was an instant hit. The chair was showcased behind windows on 5th Avenue, in Beverly Hills, and even on the cover of the first DWR (Design Within Reach) catalog.
Marquette is a chair. But really, it’s a reflection of a journey —one that started with a young boy who had nothing but a few woodworking tools and two hands. If Tim had picked up a baseball glove and bat instead, who knows where we’d be today?
A Start Is Born.
When Marquette was launched, it was an instant hit. The chair was showcased behind windows on 5th Avenue, in Beverly Hills, and even on the cover of the first DWR (Design Within Reach) catalog.
Marquette is a chair. But really, it’s a reflection of a journey —one that started with a young boy who had nothing but a few woodworking tools and two hands. If Tim had picked up a baseball glove and bat instead, who knows where we’d be today?