New design finds | December 2023
It’s time for my last round-up of new design finds of 2023 – and there’s a bit of a collaborative theme to this month’s edition. All the below launches are the result of partnerships between various brands, studios and designers, and the results are absolutely beautiful. There are gorgeous textiles, a minimalist chandelier, a new take on a much-loved lighting design, and a kitchen collection created by two companies with a shared ethos. Just read on for details…
sustainable upholstery from Fredericia x Sheworks
First up is Danish brand Fredericia, maker of many a Scandinavian icon. It has just introduced ‘Ribbon’ – a new upholstery fabric created from textile leftovers in collaboration with circular design specialist Sheworks Atelier.
Currently available on Børge Mogensen’s classic 1952 ‘Søberg’ chair, ‘Ribbon’ repurposes scraps generated during furniture production, which are arranged to form a striking grid-like pattern. The nature of the components mean they often vary in colour, texture and composition, but the overall design looks harmonious and aesthetically pleasing thanks to the skill of Sheworks’ seamstresses, many of whom are women traditionally overlooked by the Danish employment market. The result is a chair with a carbon footprint up to 50% lower, as well as reduced water and chemical usage.
The ‘Ribbon’ version of the ‘Søberg’ chair is available now in a choice of three colourways: ‘Sand’, ‘Cool Grey’ and ‘Blue Notes’. Prices start at €899.
A new kitchen range from HUSK x Another Country
Next up is kitchen maker HUSK, based in my own city of Bristol, which has teamed up with Another Country to design a range of fronts inspired by the colours of the West Country landscape.
The partnership came about when Another Country approached HUSK about creating a kitchen for its new Dorset showroom. A twist on HUSK’s classic V-groove option, the resulting fronts echo both companies’ commitment to timeless, considered design and are hand-finished in a choice of natural ash veneer or five earthy paint colours: ‘Mist Green’, ‘Devon Red’, ‘Cornfield Yellow’, ‘Purbeck Grey’ and ‘Ashmore Dark Green’. They can be used with standard cabinets from IKEA or Howdens, and paired with worktops in solid wood or Dekton stone to create a warm, tactile and contemporary take on rustic style. What’s more, the V-grooves can be tailored to form different patterns and combinations.
The range is available to order now via Another Country, with prices starting at around £2,260.00 for a small kitchen.
timeless home textiles from Colin King x Cultiver
The third collaboration to catch my eye this month comes from renowned New York stylist and designer Colin King and luxury linen brand Cultiver. Born out of King’s search for the perfect bedcover, the collection is modern yet timeless, and intended to transcend seasons and trends. It encompasses cushions, throws and of course the ultimate bedspread, designed to pool gently on the floor and cover the bed entirely. All are made in Portugal from OEKO-TEX certified European linen and available in a range of nature-inspired hues, including versatile off-white, earthy ‘Truffle’ brown and a deep, muted aubergine. I particularly like the ‘Trace’ bed cover, which is finished with a contrasting overlock stitch for a refined yet striking detail, and the rounded ‘Response’ bolster cushion.
The full Colin King x Cultiver collection is available to buy here, with prices starting at £100.
A twist on a classic from Le Klint x Aurélien Barbry
To mark its 80th anniversary, Danish lighting brand Le Klint has teamed up with French designer Aurélien Barbry to reinterpret its iconic pleated shades in metal. The result is ‘Facet’ – a sleek pendant lamp made from lacquered aluminium, with references to folded paper in its multi-angled surface and conical shape. It casts light upwards and downwards, and works brilliantly on its own or clustered in pairs and trios over dining tables, counters and island units. It’s an innovative twist that marks a new expression for Le Klint, while retaining the DNA of a much-loved Scandinavian classic. It comes in black or white, with a matching fabric cord, and is priced at €399.
The ‘Tense’ chandelier from new Works x Panter & Tourron
Last but not least is New Works, which has collaborated with Swiss design studio Panter & Tourron to create a chandelier for the popular ‘Tense’ lighting series, first launched in 2020. Composed of three 55cm-diameter pendants, it resembles a trio of floating clouds and has a voluminous yet weightless expression. Like the rest of the ‘Tense’ family, it’s made from Tyvek – a fully recyclable, paper-like membrane with a beautiful texture that emits a softly diffused glow. It hangs from carbon rods and black cords, with LEDs providing the light source, and the position and height of the pendants can be varied to suit a range of spaces.
The ‘Tense’ chandelier is available to buy now, with a price of €1,319.
All images courtesy of the respective brands
