The start of a new month means it’s time for another round-up of design news and interesting product launches, and August’s selection includes beautiful ceramics, eco-friendly candles, versatile speakers and more. So, without further ado, here are the things that have caught my eye over the last few weeks…
Sustainable furniture and lighting from Puik at Someday Designs
First up is British online interiors store Someday Designs, which has added Amsterdam-based Puik to its collection of minimalist furniture and homeware brands. Founded by Freek Claessen and Daan Gescher, Puik (pronounced ‘pa-owk’) aims to showcase the very best of contemporary Dutch design and brings together seating, tables, lighting and shelves. All are sustainably produced from high-quality wood, wool and steel, and every item is original. I love the geometric shapes and the selection of colours, which range from soft greys and pinks to rich terracotta and deep forest-green. Prices start at £105 for a pendant light, £115 for a side table, £185 for a stool and £210 for a chair.
New nature-inspired colours from Stelton
Next is Danish brand Stelton, which has just announced several new colours for autumn-winter 2019. Klaus Rath’s cotton bread bag and the iconic ‘EM77’ vacuum jug, designed by Erik Magnussen in 1977, will now be available in three shades inspired by the rolling skies, rocky shores and dense forests of the Nordic landscape: ‘Cloud’, ‘Light Grey’ and ‘Dark Forest’. The EM77 kettle and coffee press will be also be available in ‘Cloud’, and there’s a new ‘Midnight Blue’ option for the popular ‘Emma’ kettle and vacuum jug. My favourite, though, is the beautiful sandy-beige version of Francis Cayouette’s ‘Theo’ collection of tea- and coffee-making kit (previously in black only), which draws on influences from both Scandinavia and Asia. All the new colours will be available to buy from September, with prices ranging from £20.95 / €24.95 / US$24.95 to £144.95 / €149.95 / US$219.
Kristina Dam x Carl Hansen & Son
In more news from Denmark, Kristina Dam has teamed up with Carl Hansen & Son to create limited-edition versions of her sculptural ceramics in red engobe terracotta. There are four dome-shaped vases with and without necks, as well as bowls in two different sizes. All are available exclusively via Carl Hansen & Son retailers, and mix a powder-matte outer surface with a water-resistant inner glaze. I love the muted, burnt colour, which will work brilliantly with anything from fresh flowers to branches to dried grasses.
Refillable candles from Essence + Alchemy
Sheffield-based Essence + Alchemy has launched a new collection of environmentally friendly scented candles, and I was very impressed with the concept behind them. All are made from locally sourced rapeseed wax, pure essential oils and FSC-certified wooden wicks, and come in hand-blown glass beakers or votives. Best of all, you can keep the containers and buy wax refills – an innovative idea that minimises waste and saves money. There’s even a subscription service which sends out new refills each month. There are eight scents to choose from: ‘Aether’ (energising), ‘Smoke’ (grounding), ‘Dusk’ (tranquil), ‘Roses’ (uplifting), ‘Azoth’ (calming), ‘Wild Garden’ (joyful), ‘Arcana’ (restorative) and ‘Winter Bergamot’ (relaxing). Beaker candles are priced at £48 and votives at £16; refills for them cost £30 and £10.50 respectively.
Multifunctional speakers from IKEA and Sonos
Moving on to home technology, IKEA has collaborated with audio company Sonos to create a smart speaker range called ‘SYMFONISK’. The aim was to make high-quality sound more accessible to all and respond to the ever-growing demand for space-saving devices. The result is two multifunctional designs, both available in black and white. One doubles as a lamp, with a mouth-blown glass shade and an LED bulb. The other can slot into a bookcase or be fixed to the wall with brackets; it can even be used as a shelf or nightstand! Both stream music, podcasts and radio via WiFi or Apple Airplay, and can be used on their own or connected to form a multi-room system. They were officially unveiled at Milan Design Week earlier this year but have just arrived in stores, and they’re priced at £99 for the bookshelf speaker and £150 for the lamp.
The ‘Stay’ bed from Gubi
Last but not least is another Milan launch that’s now available to buy: the ‘Stay’ bed from Gubi. The Danish brand’s first-ever bed design, it was created by Space Copenhagen to work in homes and hotels alike. The soft curves and smart upholstery give it a relaxed yet luxurious aesthetic, and the integrated headboard looks ideal for sitting up with breakfast or a good book. It’s available in two versions – a low-back option starting at €3,886 and a high-back one starting at €4,499 – and both can fit box, sprung and foam mattresses. There’s no denying it’s extremely pricey, but it’s a timeless piece that really will last for decades to come.
All images via the respective brands named above
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