View all newsletters
Have the short, sharp Spear's newsletter delivered to your inbox each week
  1. Luxury
May 16, 2014updated 11 Jan 2016 1:17pm

Stunning backgammon designs from Alexandra Llewellyn

By Spear's

Author: Aoife Moriarty

One of the oldest board games in existence, backgammon was originally played by the leaders of ancient civilisations in Greece, Rome, Persia and the Far East.

But fast-forward to 2014 and London based designer Alexandra Llewellyn is creating bespoke designs for the homes of the city’s elite. A nostalgia for simpler times and a desire for impressive statement pieces have clients flocking to order her designs, handmade by a team of master craftsmen from across the UK.

“I create the boards to be conversation pieces. Sort of bright in colour and bold in design,” Llewellyn explains, “but then my bespoke work is very much about the personal and eking out the client’s story.”

Peacock board
Carnival board
Pheasant board

Some of her recent one-off commissions have included a board made of airplane materials created for a private jet and a game set made out of love letters for a fiftieth wedding anniversary. For another – a present for a client’s other half – she painted the husband’s favourite species of butterflies and plants directly onto the playing board.

One-off pieces often have secret drawers and compartments with messages inscribed in the wood, Llewellyn says, adding that with bespoke designs virtually “anything is possible”.

Carnival board
Peacock board

The luxury sets are also created with the intention of being passed down through the generations: “I love the idea of creating something that’s a design piece but also a game,” says Llewellyn. “It’s that idea of bringing people together and creating time. And your great grandchildren are going to play on it.”

www.alexandralldesign.com

Content from our partners
Meet the females leading in the FTSE
A cut above: Charles Sanford on why HNW clients choose LGT Wealth Management
How the Thuso Group’s invaluable experience and expertise shaped the Spear’s Schools Index 2024

Standard boards by Alexandra Llewellyn are priced £3,400 to £3,650. For bespoke enquiries contact: info@alexandralldesign.com.

Select and enter your email address The short, sharp email newsletter from Spear’s
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network