New finds | December 2018

In between all things Christmas-related I want to squeeze in one last round-up of new finds for 2018, as there’s been a swathe of interesting product launches and other bits and bobs recently. So, settle back and feast your eyes on the things that have grabbed my attention over the last few weeks…

Brand-new designs (and a giveaway!) from SHY Design Studio

I’m starting with Glasgow-based SHY Design Studio, which has just launched its first own-label products after years of working behind the scenes for other brands: a candleholder called ‘O’ and a mirror called ‘Perlucio’. Both have an understated, timeless aesthetic that reflects the studio’s Scandinavian roots (it was founded in Sweden before moving to London and then Scotland), and are made by talented Scottish and Swedish artisans.

I was lucky enough to receive one of the first candleholders to be produced and it really is beautiful. A contemporary twist on a traditional shape, it’s made from marble-cast plaster and comes in a choice of three colours: ‘Ash White’, ‘Soot Black’ and ‘Charcoal Grey’. The mirror is similarly stunning. Produced from hand-drawn glass that’s water-gilded with pure silver, backed onto ebonized birch veneer and framed with oxidised lead, it has an irregular surface that creates the kind of distortion and shimmer you’d find on rippled water – a reference to the fact that the first mirrors ever created are thought to have been bowls of shallow water. As you draw closer, the reflections become sharper.

To celebrate the launch, SHY is giving away three candleholders worth £55 each, and one lucky person will also win a mirror worth £2,600. Just head over to their website for details of how to enter.

A new collaboration between The Poster Club and Malene Birger

Next up is Copenhagen-based online print store The Poster Club, which has just released an exclusive collection created by Danish fashion designer turned artist Malene Birger. Best known for founding clothing labels Day, Birger & Mikkelsen in 1997 and By Malene Birger in 2003, she now works from a studio on Lake Como, Italy, where she draws, sketches and paints. Her work has a graphic, abstract quality and this is reflected in the collection, which consists of six fine-art giclée prints in various sizes. All combine strong shapes with a monochrome palette, and look stunning hung on their own or in clusters. Prices start at €49.

‘Lair’ – a new furniture collection from An Interior Affair

Also brand-new this month is ‘Lair’, the first furniture collection from Lovisa Häger of Swedish design studio and blog An Interior Affair.

Lovisa has always believed that beautiful interiors can be created from anything, regardless of budget, and her varied work covers everything from decor projects to digital content. Her aim with Lair was to encourage creativity and sustainability by producing versatile products with multiple purposes, and the result is a range of table tops and legs that can be combined in numerous ways to form anything from pedestals and coffee tables to dining tables and sideboards. Lovisa says: “We believe that if we create pieces that can be the foundation in your home, they can stay with you forever.”

All the items in the collection are designed by Lovisa herself and made in Sweden by a passionate father-daughter team. Prices range from 890 SEK (around €86 / £77) to 6,990 SEK (around €680 / £610), and every piece can be customised to suit a particular space on request.

Abstract prints from Coco Lapine Design

Another of my favourite designer-bloggers, Sarah Van Peteghem of Coco Lapine Design, also has new products out this month: a pair of abstract prints that add to her existing range of beautiful wall art. They reproduce collages made from ripped paper and, as each individual piece of paper has its own hand-painted pattern, the results look strong and graphic when viewed from afar yet beautifully detailed when seen close-up. The prints cost €42.50 each for 70cm by 50cm and can be shipped worldwide.

DOMO becomes Design Of

Finally, Swedish company DOMO, whose minimalist, clean-lined furniture is made entirely from solid steel, has rebranded as Design Of. Based in the largely rural region of Småland, it was founded by Johanna Haglund, who takes much of her inspiration from the area’s beautiful lakes and forests. It’s long been one of my favourites, so it’s exciting to see it evolving in a new direction.

The name change also brings with it a new online shop – the first time the brand’s products have been available to buy directly, without going via a reseller – and a couple of new pieces: ‘Chair 2’ (€330) and ‘Chair 3’ (€420). Conceived as slightly larger siblings of the existing ‘Chair 1’, they’re available in several colours and work brilliantly in dining rooms and workspaces. For added comfort, ‘Chair 3’ is upholstered, with a choice between leather or fabric for the seat and back pads.

A few other things on my radar…

• I love the new 55-page ebook from friend and fellow blogger Emma of Field & Nest. Called ‘How to Live a Slower Life’, it’s packed with tips, advice and practical exercises to help you make time to savour the little moments. It costs just £9.99 and you can buy a copy here
• If one of your aims for 2019 is to launch or grow a business, you might be interested in an Instagram workshop that I’m running at The Forge in Bristol on 2nd March 2019. Designed to help you harness the power of Instagram by creating a strong brand identity, it will cover everything from image styling and editing to writing effective captions. Tickets cost £45 each and are available here
• If you want to learn a new craft, how about a candle-making workshop with Earl of East London? I was lucky enough to attend one earlier this month courtesy of Vitra, and they’re huge fun! Dates for 2019 have just been released and you’ll find them here

All images via the respective brands above