ABOUT US
Founded in 2004 by English designer Jonathan Sowter, Vietnam Furniture Resources (V.F.R) is the proud manufacturing foundation behind Jonathan Charles Fine Furniture. With over two decades of craftsmanship excellence, V.F.R has grown into a state-of-the-art facility and a trusted partner for premium furniture production.
Originally created to bring European antique furniture designs to life, our operation has expanded to support a global network of clients in the residential and hospitality sectors. Today, V.F.R employs more than 2,200 skilled artisans and technicians who blend traditional woodworking techniques with modern manufacturing technology.
Our facility includes an in-house brass foundry for bespoke hardware, advanced finishing systems, and a dedicated design team—enabling full-service solutions from concept to completion. We collaborate with leading international brands on custom furniture, lighting, and hardware collections, as well as large-scale hospitality projects.
More than a factory, V.F.R is a hub of creativity, precision, and innovation. We offer turn-key capabilities in design, manufacturing, and marketing, all backed by a team with over 60 years of combined experience. At V.F.R, craftsmanship is not just a process, it’s our promise.
JONATHAN SOWTER
Founder & CEO
JONATHAN SOWTER is the Founder, CEO, and Designer of JONATHAN CHARLES, specializing in luxury antique-inspired furniture, lighting, and accessories. He began his career asan apprentice at Theodore Alexander at the age of 24, and later founded his own brand in 2004, continuing the traditions of cabinetmaking and Neoclassical design.
With roots in 16th-century European style, the brand has since evolved to incorporate Art Deco, Mid-Century, and even Postmodern design influences. Jonathan truly enjoys the challenge of bringing old-world techniques into the modern age and transforming traditional aesthetics into new and compelling works of art. Staying up to date with current design trends and finding waysto incorporate them into his work continues to fuel his passion.
Over the past 20 years, Jonathan has grown his company from a one-man operation to a team of over 2,200 skilled artisans. He remains committed to sharing his cabinetmaking expertise andmentoring his team, helping preserve traditional craftsmanship for the next generation of artisans.
From our state-of-the-art facility in Vietnam, we blend heritage techniques with
innovation - crafting each piece with original details, including bespoke hardware
from our in-house foundry. More than a factory, it’s a creative environment that
values well-being and preserves rare artisan skills.
Trusted by luxury hotels and five-star destinations worldwide, Jonathan Charles
creates furniture rooted in craftsmanship, built for longevity, and designed to be remembered.
Our team provides comprehensive project support, covering management,
research and development, planning, technical renderings, sample workshop
designs, production, and shipping. Our innovative technology systems enable
precise tracking of each item’s progress throughout the production stages,
ensuring adherence to project timelines. From prototype to final production, our
Design and Engineering teams, along with representatives from Production and
Quality Assurance, meticulously review every product, demonstrating a collective
sense of ownership for each project. Whether it involves outfitting a hotel, creating
new designs for a trendy restaurant, or introducing groundbreaking ideas for a
modern airport, JC HOSPITALITY is dedicated to delivering the highest quality
products and customer service to our valued customers.
