New finds | November 2018

The start of another month means it’s time for my regular round-up of design and lifestyle news. So, read on for a look at the latest product launches to catch my eye, together with details of a few events, magazines and books that might be of interest…

A blanket in aid of a good cause

First up is Ferm Living, which has launched a beautiful new blanket to support the work of the Danish Red Cross this winter. Called ‘Enfold’, it’s made from high-quality wool with a blue-mélange weave and looks wonderfully warm and snuggly. It costs €75 and all the proceeds will be used to provide aid and care to people around the world facing the cold months ahead without adequate shelter, clothing or heating.

New pieces from Normann Copenhagen

Another of my favourite Danish brands, Normann Copenhagen, has just announced details of two new pieces created by designer Simon Legald. The first is ‘Phantom’, a voluminous lamp whose dramatic silhouette was inspired by the opulent shapes of traditional chandeliers. It’s formed from a semi-transparent ivory-coloured resin, which is sprayed onto an inner steel skeleton and emits a warm, diffuse light. There are three different shapes and sizes to choose from, with prices ranging from €605 / £545 / $825 to €1,120 / £1,090 / $1,645.

The second is ‘Studio’, a stackable chair consisting of a moulded plywood shell on a slender black-steel frame. It’s simple yet eye-catching and suits all sorts of different settings, from dining spaces to meeting rooms. It comes in five colours – oak, black, ‘oyster grey’, ‘warm caramel’ and ‘grass green’ – and is available with or without armrests; there’s also a bar-stool version. Prices start at €295 / £265 / $405.

A 50th-anniversary edition of Verner Panton’s ‘Flowerpot’ lamp

Sticking with Denmark, &tradition has introduced a special high-gloss finish for Verner Panton’s ‘Flowerpot’ lamp to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this iconic design. Panton first created the lamp in 1968, blending a minimalist aesthetic with the freewheeling spirit of the ‘Flower Power’ movement to form a fun yet sophisticated piece which has been much loved ever since. The new finish is available on both the pendant and table-lamp versions and comes in a range of hues, from muted grey-beige to vibrant mustard and deep, dark green. &tradition is also showcasing the ‘Flowerpot’ at a pop-up installation and shop at Østergade 61 in Copenhagen until 31st December, so do pop in for a look if you’re in town.

The relaunch of the Eames fibreglass chair

There’s also news about another classic, the Eames fibreglass chair, which is being reintroduced by Vitra. Created by Charles and Ray Eames and first launched in 1950, the chair’s shell was moulded to fit the contours of the human body and can be combined with a variety of different bases. It went on to become one of the most iconic designs of the 20th century, but fibreglass was eventually replaced by cheaper and easier-to-produce polypropylene. Improvements in manufacturing techniques mean Vitra is now able to relaunch the chair in its original material, which has a beautifully irregular surface thanks to the visible fibres. The fibreglass version will be available alongside the polypropylene one and comes in six of Charles and Ray Eames’ original colours: ‘elephant hide grey’, ‘parchment’, ‘sea foam green’, ‘raw umber’, ‘red orange’ and ‘navy blue’. In the UK it will be sold exclusively at The Conran Shop until February 2019 before being rolled out more widely, and is priced from £500.

AYLE – a new Portuguese furniture brand

Finally, I’d like to introduce you to AYLE, a newly launched furniture brand from Penafiel in Portugal. It was founded by award-winning architect Pedro Miguel Santos and his partner Patrícia Correia, who struggled to find timeless, elegant and affordable pieces for their own home and so decided to create their own. Their debut collection consists of five products – a desk (€1,250), a bar stool (€290), a chaise longue (€2,200), a round coffee table (€990) and a rectangular coffee table (€1,100), all conceived to have long-lasting appeal rather than following fleeting trends. Admirably, they were also created specifically for production in local artisanal workshops, allowing smaller manufacturers to reach a wider global market. I particularly love the flowing contours of the chaise longue and the contrasting marble top and wooden base used for the coffee tables, and I can’t wait to see what Pedro and Patrícia come up with next.

A few other things on my radar…

• London’s Design Museum has just opened a new exhibition in partnership with the IKEA Museum. Called ‘Home Futures’, it charts how architects and designers have shaped the way we live today, and explores how our homes might change in the coming years. It’s taking place until 24th March 2019 and it looks fascinating
• The next issue of one of my all-time favourite travel magazines, Lodestars Anthology, is now available to pre-order. It focuses on England and is brimming with beautiful writing and photography to fire up your wanderlust. You’ll also find a piece from yours truly about the Peak District, the beautiful region where I was lucky enough to grow up…
• Fellow blogger and stylist Hannah Bullivant has launched a wonderful new ebook called ‘A Soulful Gathering’. It’s packed with inspiration and guidance to help you host dinner parties and other events, and includes all the tips and tricks Hannah has picked up over the years. The aim is to take the stress out of entertaining and help you bring together the people you love. It costs £11, and you can get hold of a copy here
• Talking of gatherings, interior designer Mathilde Kubisiak of MK Design is hosting two hands-on workshops on Christmas table styling at London furniture shop Case on 24th November. I went to one of her festive workshops last year and had a great time, so I’d thoroughly recommend them; there will also be goodie bags full of gorgeous treats! Tickets cost £45 and can be purchased here

All photography via the respective brands named above