New design finds | May 2023

The year is flying by and I can’t believe it’s May already, but as always the start of a new month means it’s time for my regular round-up of interesting product launches and minimalist design finds. In this edition you’ll find everything from versatile storage systems to outdoor furniture to a light made from recycled plastic. Just read on for details…

MINIMALIST outdoor furniture from New Works

I’m starting with Danish brand New Works, which has just unveiled its first-ever range of outdoor furniture. Called ‘May’, it was created by Johannes Breuer and Fritz Gräber of design studio Hannes & Fritz and consists of square and rectangular tables plus stackable chairs with and without armrests. All are made from weather-proof powder-coated steel and combine durability with an elegant, lightweight expression. The chairs are particularly beautiful, with the backrests and seats taking the form of thin sheets that wrap themselves around cylindrical frames. The curved shapes cradle the body for comfort, and a slit in the seats allows for water drainage – a subtle yet clever detail that’s also mirrored in the tabletops.

The ‘May’ series will be available to buy from June and comes in a choice of light grey or dark green. Chairs start at €259 / £229 and tables at €529 / £465.

Sculptural glass vases from Noom

Next up is a stunning collection of sculptural vases from Ukrainian studio Noom. Created by co-founder and chief designer Kateryna Sokolova, it’s called ‘Gutta’ and pays homage to an ancient glassblowing technique of the same name, first developed in Kyivan Rus between the ninth and 13th centuries. By exploring age-old craftsmanship and the pliability of glass as a material, Sokolova has developed a series of simple yet eye-catching forms that evoke a sense of frozen movement. Some resemble water droplets tumbling over the side of a shelf or table; others double as carafes or storage vessels, with ring-like holes that can be used as handles or hooked around oak support plinths. All come in clear, grey or amber glass and are made by artisan glassblowers in the city of Lviv, western Ukraine. They’re available via Noom’s website now, with prices ranging from €450 to €730.

A pendant light made from plastic waste

It’s great to see more and more designs incorporating recycled materials and the latest to catch my eye is ‘Pix’ – a new lamp created by Danish designer Simon Legald for Normann Copenhagen. A modern interpretation of the archetypical sphere pendant, it’s made entirely from waste plastic that’s granulated, heated to a melting point of 120°C and then set in moulds – a circular process that allows it to be reused again and again without altering its properties. The resulting surface has a gently mottled appearance that looks opaque when the light is switched off yet translucent when it’s switched on, and it emits a softly diffused and very cosy glow. ‘Pix’ comes in four different diameters (20cm, 30cm, 45cm and 60cm) and is available now, priced at £190 / €215 to £520 / €590.

A Versatile storage SYSTEM from Woud

Created by Danish design duo Ditte Vad and Julie Begtrup, Woud‘s new ‘Bricks’ storage system combines clean Scandinavian lines with enormous versatility. It’s made up of simple modular cubes that can be stacked on top of each other or arranged side by side, with the option of mounting them on the wall or pairing them with a floor base to create a freestanding piece of furniture. The cubes come in white-pigmented lacquered oak or black-painted oak, with or without sleek push-to-open doors, and can be used to form anything from bedside tables to bookcases to room dividers. They’re available now, with prices starting at €449 per cube.

New additions to Kristina Dam Studio’s ‘CurveD’ series

Speaking of storage and display, Kristina Dam Studio has extended its ‘Curved’ series with several new additions. Alongside the existing side table and bench, there’s now a wall shelf and pedestal, plus fabric-covered boxes that can be slotted into the other pieces or used on their own (there are ingenious clips for securing more than one together). All have the same sculptural, minimalist expression and distinctive inverted arches as the originals, and they’re ideal for storing books, magazines and other bits and bobs. The wall shelf and pedestal are priced at €629 and €779 respectively and come in beige or black powder-coated steel; the boxes cost €60 each, with a choice between black, grey and burnt-brown finishes.

‘Dead Flat’ ultra-matt paint from Farrow & Ball

Finally, Farrow & Ball has launchd a new paint finish, ‘Dead Flat’, across its entire colour range. Suitable for use on walls, woodwork, metal and even radiators, it has an ultra-matt look and is ideal for those who want to extend the same hue across multiple surfaces. It’s also scrubbable and scuff-resistant and, like all Farrow & Ball paints, has a water-based formula with only trace VOCs.

Interestingly, matt paint dates back to the 18th century, when the ‘flatted lead’ effect was sought after for the most fashionable homes. It’s now a popular choice in contemporary interiors, with the low sheen minimising imperfections and adding richness to the colours. Farrow & Ball’s version has been five years in the making and is billed as its deepest and most durable finish yet. It’s priced at £31 for 0.75L, £75 for 2.5L and £122 for 5L, with 100ml sample pots available for £5.50.

All images via the respective brands above