It’s time for my regular round-up of minimalist design news, and the return of industry events such as Clerkenwell Design Week and Milan’s Salone del Mobile means there are plenty of interesting launches to share with you this month. There’s also a bit of a sustainability theme, with most of the brands that have caught my eye using innovative techniques and recycled materials to reduce waste, cut their carbon footprint and create pieces that will stand the test of time. Just read on for details…
A sustainable twist on Børge Mogensen classics
I’m starting with Danish brand Mater, which is known for its pioneering approach to ethical, eco-friendly production. It’s just unveiled ‘Børge Mogensen Conscious’ – a collection of tables and chairs created by the renowned Danish furniture designer back in 1958 and now featuring components made from upcycled waste.
It’s the first time any of Mogensen’s pieces have been relaunched in a different material from the originals and is the result of a close collaboration with two of his grandchildren, Emilie Ventujol Mogensen and Sarah Alexandra Moutou. Working with Mater’s founder and Head of Circular Transformation Henrik Marstrand, they’ve retained the essence of his designs but introduced new seats and backrests made from upcycled fibre-based and plastic waste, which is blended with sawdust from the production of the FSC-certified wooden bases and press-moulded into shape. Not only does this provide a way to repurpose industrial waste, it also reduces carbon emissions – and, as the new material can be reprocessed up to five times, it’s an important step towards Mater’s vision of becoming 100% circular.
The ‘Børge Mogensen Conscious’ collection is available to order now, with prices starting at €375 / £320 plus VAT.
Upcycled paints from Little Greene
Also making innovative strides in sustainability and recycling is British paint company Little Greene. After two years of research and development, its chemists have found a way to reformulate leftover and unwanted paint into a beautiful matt finish for interior walls and ceilings, preventing as many as 60,000 litres from going to landfill each year.
Called ‘Re:mix’, the upcycled paint has been launched in an initial limited-edition run of 20 different shades, including popular Little Greene classics such as Slaked Lime, French Grey, Sage Green and Portland Stone. It’s not only great for the environment, it’s also cheaper than buying the normal option, with a 2.5L tin coming in at £28 rather than £52. At the moment it’s only available while stocks last, but I hope to see Little Greene making this a permanent part of their offering in time.
A lighting collaboration from Spark & Bell x Make Relief
Next up is a beautiful new collection of table and wall lamps from Brighton lighting brand Spark & Bell. Created in collaboration with Will Atkins of multidisciplinary studio Make Relief, it uses a combination of casting and machining techniques to bring together cork, recycled plastic and Jesmonite. The results are minimalist yet tactile, with a wonderful mix of shapes and materials, and the range went down a storm when it made its debut at Clerkenwell Design Week.
My personal favourite is ‘Solas’, which was inspired by Zen rock gardens and features an opal-glass sphere sitting slightly off-centre within a rippled circular base. It comes as both a table and wall lamp, with a choice between speckled white, brass-flecked black and pink plaster finishes. I also love the look of ‘Rian’, which pairs a fluted recycled-plastic shade with a simple base in Jesmonite or cork.
The lamps are available to buy now, with prices starting at £179.
A portable lamp from New Works
There’s also lighting news from one of my Danish favourites, New Works, who have followed up the popular wireless version of their ‘Kizu’ lamp with another portable design. Made from durable polycarbonate and powder-coated aluminium, it’s called the ‘Sphere’ and is described as a ‘sculptural luminous object that you can take with you everywhere you go’. It’s waterproof, dust-resistant and dimmable, with a battery life of at least 10 hours and a useful strap that makes it easy to carry and hang from branches or hooks. It looks ideal for picnics, evenings in the garden, camping adventures or just using around the home in corners where you might not have a handy plug socket. It’s due to hit stores on 15th June, with an RRP of €159, and comes in ‘Warm Grey’, ‘Dark Bronze’ and ‘Deep Green’.
Koyori – a new design brand from Japan
Last but by no means least is Koyori, a new Japanese design brand launching at the Triennale Milano this week. Created by some of Japan’s leading furniture makers, with input from British designer Jasper Morrison, it aims to embody Japanese aesthetics while collaborating with contemporary designers across the globe to produce pieces that transcend borders.
Crafted using Japanese manufacturing technology, all Koyori products are made to bestow happiness on their owners and be cherished for generations to come. The debut collection consists of five beautiful chairs: the ‘Kawara’ armchair, ‘Musubi’ armchair and ‘Shaku’ chair by Paris-based brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, and the ‘Miau’ armchair and ‘Edaha’ chair from Danish-Italian duo GamFratesi. All combine elegant, clean-lined simplicity with more sculptural elements and come in a choice of woods, including natural oak, walnut and black-stained beech. There’s also the option of upholstery on some of the designs. As for the name Koyori, it means ‘twisted paper cords’ and is the primary material of mizuhiki, the durable and decorative paper strings traditionally used in Japan for wrapping gifts.
It’s certainly an interesting brand and I can’t wait to see more in the coming years. In the meantime, you can find details of stockists on the Koyori website.
All photography via the brands above
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