New finds | July 2020

It’s the start of a new month, which means it’s time for my regular round-up of design finds. My latest selection includes wonderful makers and retailers who I’ve come across for the very first time, together with exciting product launches from a few old favourites. There are also details of new paint and scent collections developed to help you create a happy, comfortable home – just scroll down for more…

Minimalist artworks from Of Visual Forms

First up is Of Visual Forms, a multidisciplinary art studio founded by Nottingham-based Kelly Jay. I recently came across her work on Instagram and instantly fell for its minimalist expression and soft tones, often inspired by non-literal shapes, architecture and everyday objects. Interestingly, Kelly has studied both fine art and interior design, and her approach considers how artworks will sit alongside other elements within a space and encourage feelings of calm. Her first collection, ‘Surfaces 0.1’, has just been released and consists of beautiful rag-paper collages that celebrate simplicity of form and the imperfections of handmade materials. Prices start at £175, and each work is signed and dated. Kelly has further collections in the pipeline, too, and I can’t wait to see them!

Artisan homewares from Collective Stories

Another recent Instagram discovery is Collective Stories, which I stumbled across while searching for inspiration for the weaving course I’m currently doing. It’s the brainchild of London-based Pernille Brodersen and Pierre Luc, who wanted to fuse contemporary design with traditional crafts and ethical production. Their range includes home textiles and baskets, handmade by artisan cooperatives in Guatemala, Mexico and the Philippines who set their own prices, provide safe working conditions and use natural, sustainable materials. I particularly love the beautiful cushions and runners, which blend geometric, Bauhaus-inspired shapes with intricate techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation. Items start at £90, and international shipping is available.

A new design from GamFratesi and Gubi

Next is an interesting product launch from GUBI: the ‘Sejour’ lounge chair. Developed by Danish-Italian duo GamFratesi (who also created the ‘IOI’ collection featured in May’s round-up), it’s a contemporary take on mid-century Scandinavian design and features a soft, rounded backrest that’s shaped to provide a restful sitting position over long periods of time – hence the name, which is French for ‘stay’. I was instantly struck by the contrast between the deep seat and the slender metal frame, and it looks particularly striking with the optional armrests in walnut or solid oak. I was also intrigued to learn that the design was partly inspired by eighteenth-century ‘slipper chairs’, used in boudoirs to sit on while donning footwear and later a popular reference in 1950s furniture. The chair will be in stores from August, with prices starting at £1,325 / €1,489.

VIPP’s first lounge chair

There’s also a new chair design from VIPP, which has been gradually building a small but perfectly judged collection of furniture to sit alongside its popular home accessories. Made from the company’s trademark powder-coated aluminium and topped with a dark brown leather cushion, it was originally designed to sit by the fireplace in the VIPP Shelter in southern Sweden. The overall expression is sleek and understated, but it also looks incredibly comfortable thanks to the gently reclined back and wide, windmill-blade armrests. It’s already available to order from VIPP’s website and costs £1,699 / €2,079.

Home scents from Cedar Lifestyle

Next up is a treat for your home and senses: a brand-new candle and reed-diffuser collection from Manchester-based Cedar Lifestyle. Called ‘Another Place’, it was created to celebrate the transformative power of scent, with three fragrances that evoke different feelings and memories. Named after a wood-dwelling spirit, ‘Sylvan’ blends pine, geranium and citrus, and takes you to silent forest glades. ‘Halcyon’, meanwhile, transports you back to lazy days, with calming notes of ylang ylang, lavender and bergamot. Finally, ‘Sirocco’ was inspired by the hot, southerly wind that originates in the Sahara and blows across the Atlas Mountains to the sun-soaked groves and vineyards of the Mediterranean, with a combination of Neroli, orange blossom, cloves, cardamom and cedar. Each scent is made from pure essential oils, and the candles feature natural rapeseed wax; what’s more, they come in beautiful stoneware vessels from Dutch design studio Archive, which can be cleaned and repurposed after use.

A new paint collection from Atelier Ellis

Last but by no means least is Atelier Ellis, whose VOC-free, water-based paint is handmade in the UK. It’s just released its latest range, the ‘Wonder Collection’, which encompasses 10 new colours inspired by the everyday moments of happiness and curiosity that lie at the heart of what it is to be human. Founder Cassandra Ellis took her cue from the creative freedoms of childhood and focused on developing hues that ‘make you want to clap your hands in joy’. My favourites include ‘Hari’, an earthy terracotta evoking sepia photos and sunny days; an elegant, peaceful grey called ‘Morning Dove’; a deliciously cosy mid-brown named ‘Tea & Toast’; and ‘Solstice’, a soft pink reminiscent of morning sunlight through your eyelids. Like all Atelier Ellis colours, they come in a range of finishes, with sample pots available from £4.95 and full tins from £31.

All photography via the brands and makers featured above