Visionary designer Sir Terence Conran has died aged 88.

The British designer, philanthropist and businessman passed away on Saturday 12th September 2020 at his Barton Court home.

Sir Terence founded furniture company Habitat in 1964, growing it from a single, high profile outlet in London to a national and international chain. But that was just the start of his retail expansion. As the founder of the Storehouse Group, he acquired Heal’s, set up Next, and ran British Home Stores and Mothercare. Terence then opened The Conran Shop in 1972, with eight stores located in London, Paris, New York and across Japan.

Sir Terence also founded The Conran Design Group, specialising in interiors, hotel and restaurant design, graphics, products and homeware, and he established Conran and Partners, an architectural practice with Fred Lloyd Roche.

As a renowned restaurateur, Sir Terence's restaurant portfolio included Ivan Storey, The Soup Kitchen, Pont de la Tour, Bibendum, Orrery, Quaglino's and Mezzo.

london, england   november 17 designer terence conran poses for photographs at the opening of the new design museum on november 17, 2016 in london, england following an investment of 83 million gbp, the design museum has moved from its old location to a new premises designed by john pawson on kensington high street that is more than three times the size of the previous building the original museum was founded by terence conran in 1989 and has grown in popularity since  photo by carl courtgetty imagespinterest
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Sir Terence Conran at the opening of the new Design Museum in London, November 2016

'A proud patriot, Sir Terence promoted the best of British design, culture and the arts around the world and at the heart of everything he did was a very simple belief that good design improves the quality of people's lives,' said his family in a statement.

'Sir Terence enjoyed a remarkable life to the full and always maintained that his work never felt like a job – everything he did for business he would have done for pleasure.

'In his private life he was adored by his family and friends and we will miss him dearly.'

Sir Terence also founded the Design Museum in London, described as 'one of his proudest moments', and continued to champion the importance of education to young people in the creative industries.

london, england   september 22  atmosphere at the conran store launch two of britains best loved and most iconic retailers join forces to create a global destination for design and discovery the conran shop at selfridges on september 22, 2015 in london, england  photo by david m benettdave benett  getty images for the conran shoppinterest
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The Conran Shop at Selfridges, pictured in 2015

Tim Marlow, Director and Chief Executive, Design Museum, said: 'Terence Conran was instrumental in the re-designing of post-War Britain and his legacy is huge. He is revered by generations of designers from Mary Quant and David Mellor to Thomas Heatherwick and Jonny Ive. He changed the way we lived and shopped and ate.'

To celebrate Sir Terence's life, career and contribution, The Design Museum will exhibit a commemorative display and memory book for the public to sign.

Lord Mandelson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Design Museum, added: 'Terence Conran has filled our lives for generations with ideas, innovation and brilliant design. He leaves a treasure trove of household and industrial design that will stay with us forever.'

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Olivia Heath
Executive Digital Editor, House Beautiful UK

Olivia Heath is the Executive Digital Editor at House Beautiful UK, covering tomorrow's biggest interior design trends and revealing the best tips, tricks and hacks to help you decorate your home like a pro. Week by week Olivia shares the most stylish high street buys to help you get the look for less and showcases the best makeovers (who doesn't love a before & after?), as well as the hottest and most unique properties on the market.