It’s time for my regular round-up of interesting design finds and I have some real gems to share with you this month. There are two stunning chairs which showcase the possibilities of sustainable design, gorgeous just-launched linens, an exciting new British tableware brand, and a beautiful webshop from one of my favourite artists. Plus scroll down for details of an iconic 1960s lighting collection that’s been updated and re-released for a new generation of homes…
Minimalist tableware from Monoware
First up is Monoware – a new tableware brand offering beautiful, durable pieces that challenge the culture of fleeting trends and disposable design. It’s the brainchild of London-based Daniel Baer, who spent two decades working as a creative director for the likes of Chanel, Comme des Garçons and the V&A Museum before spotting a gap in the market for timeless tabletop essentials that are suitable for everyday dining and entertaining. Created in collaboration with British ceramic designer Ian McIntyre and made at a family-run pottery near the Portuguese city of Porto, the inaugural collection consists of stoneware plates, bowls, cups and pitchers, all with simple, elegant forms and neutral matte glazes. Each piece is fired at 1180C to make it as strong as possible, and every detail – from the curve of a handle to the length of a spout – has been carefully considered to ensure optimal function. They’re online now, with prices starting at £15; further collections will be coming soon but, importantly, the core range will always be available, meaning people can add or replace items over time to build a set that suits their evolving needs.
Timeless linens from Goscandi
Sticking with gorgeous things for the table and kitchen, Scandinavian-inspired homeware shop Goscandi has just launched its own range of linens with a timeless, sophisticated aesthetic. Designed in the UK and made in Northern Europe, the collection encompasses napkins, tea towels and other items in an array of muted colours, including ‘artichoke green’, ‘hazelnut brown’ and ‘terracotta red’ alongside classic beige and cream. They can be mixed and matched to create an individual look, and as they’re machine-washable and quick to dry, they work just as well for day-to-day use as they do for special occasions. What’s more, they’re made from high-quality OEKO-TEX linen using energy from renewable sources, so they’re very sustainable too. The collection is available to buy now, with prices starting at £18.50 for a set of two napkins, and more items will be added soon.
Beautiful artworks from Studio Paradissi
Next up is Cretan artist and blogger Eleni Psyllaki of Studio Paradissi, who has just opened a new webshop. It showcases her latest works, which are available as fine-art prints and original paintings, as well as a selection of her previous collections; she also has an existing Etsy shop selling affordable print-at-home designs. Eleni has a background in architecture, graphics and interior design, and takes much of her inspiration from traditional pottery and geometric Greek motifs. She uses a combination of freehand forms and strict lines to create abstract works that mix 2D and 3D elements, and the results are beautifully striking. I particularly love her use of colour, which blends rich terracottas and inky blues with more muted browns, beiges and blacks. Prints start at €39 and originals at €190; Eleni also accepts commissions and has an ongoing collaboration with The Poster Club, which you can find here.
A new chair design from TAKT
Moving on to furniture, Copenhagen-based TAKT has extended its range of sustainable pieces with ‘Arc’ – an elegant chair created by Danish design duo Depping & Jørgensen. It consists of a black-lacquered beech back and seat supported by tubular metal legs, and blends traditional crafts with modern robotic machinery tooling. The sculptural shape, meanwhile, was inspired by classic Danish chairs, where the upper section curves around to form both the back support and arm rests. I love the lightweight, understated appearance and it looks incredibly versatile – I can see it working equally well as a dining chair, an office chair or an accent chair. It’s available with a range of fabric and leather upholstery options for the seat, and prices start at €279 / £249. Like all TAKT designs, it’s supplied as a flat-pack to reduce shipping costs and emissions, but can be assembled in minutes without the need for any tools.
A recycled plastic chair from &tradition
There’s also a great example of sustainable design from &tradition, which has just launched ‘Rely’ – a chair whose shell is crafted entirely from recycled plastic. It’s the work of Danish designer Hee Welling, who spent almost a year researching methods and materials to create a process which sees panels from car interiors being crushed into small pieces, mixed with colour and readied for injection moulding. The eco-friendly ethos applies to other aspects of the chair’s construction, too: should it require repair, it’s easy to dismantle and replace individual parts, extending its lifespan as far as possible. As for the shape, it reflects Welling’s signature blend of minimalism and practicality, and features ergonomic curves developed to provide optimal back support. The chair is available in numerous colours, with a choice between tubular steel legs or a swivel base, and it can be partially or fully upholstered. Prices start at €220 / £195.
The ‘Stemlite’ lamp collection from Gubi
Last but not least is Gubi, which is relaunching the ‘Stemlite’ lamp, created by American designer Bill Curry back in 1962. Inspired by plant stems and echoing the aesthetics of the emerging space age, it was the first ‘total look’ lamp and replaced the traditional base-plus-shade design with a self-contained unit made up of interchangeable modules. It was named ‘most influential lamp of the year’ by Industrial Design Magazine in 1965 and even featured on the set of the original Star Trek TV series, but went out of production in 1977. It’s now been remastered to suit modern bulb technology and is available as a floor lamp, a pendant and a 42cm- or 70cm-high table lamp. All variants feature a frosted glass globe and a rotary dimmer switch, and the slender tulip-like stem is available in black, chrome, red-black and grey. You can shop the full collection here (with the choice between an EU or UK plug), and prices range from €419 / £373 to €809 / £749.
All photography via the brands named above
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