New finds | October 2021

With September seeing design weeks and trade fairs happening all over the place (London, Copenhagen and Milan, to name just a few locations), there have been plenty of interesting product launches lately – so many, in fact, that’s it taken me a while to decide on the selection for this month’s round-up of new finds! But after a lot of deliberation I’ve finally managed to narrow it down to six things that I think you’ll love as much as I do – from minimalist furniture and lighting to cosy bed linen that’s perfect for autumn. Just read on for details…

The ‘Frame’ table by Nikari

First up is Finnish brand Nikari, which has debuted a new dining table called ‘Frame’. It’s the work of renowned British architect John Pawson, who originally created it for his own family farmhouse in the Cotswolds, and it’s a beautiful example of warm minimalism. It’s crafted from solid ash or oak using traditional joinery techniques, and I love its clean lines, angular frame and humble expression. What’s more, Nikari has a real focus on sustainability and so the table is made using responsibly sourced wood, natural oil and renewable energy from a hydro-electric plant located next-door to the workshop. It comes in three different lengths and has a life expectancy of more than 100 years, so it really is a sensible investment buy! Find full details here.

The ‘Turner’ pendant lamp from Pholc

Next is Swedish lighting specialist Pholc, whose latest addition is a gorgeous pendant lamp named ‘Turner’. Designed by Stockholm-based duo Broberg & Ridderstråle, it’s made from a wire frame that’s sliced into a series of orbits and then sprayed with a polymer cocoon. The result is minimalist yet sculptural, and the shape changes depending on the angle from which it’s viewed. The polymer creates a soft, evenly diffused glow and the visible fibres add a lovely detail; there’s also an elegant contrast between the white surface and the black cord. ‘Turner’ will be in stores from this month (find stockists near you here), with a recommended retail price of €1,299.

The ‘Quilton’ sofa from HAY

Danish stalwart HAY has announced a raft of new designs over the past couple of months, but the one that really stood out to me is the ‘Quilton’ modular sofa system. It’s the work of Nipa Doshi and Jonathan Levien of London studio Doshi Levien and pairs voluminous shapes with delicate quilt-like stitching that gives it its name. It comes in a vast range of upholstery options and can be configured to suit all sorts of spaces and settings; what’s more, it’s easy to extend and rearrange as your needs change. I particularly like the way it sits on a rounded platform that almost makes it look as if it’s hovering just above the ground, and the overall aesthetic is somehow bold yet pared-back. It’s already begun hitting stores around the world, and prices start at around £899 / €985 for an ottoman.

New pieces from Fredericia

There’s also a brand-new sofa series from Fredericia, this time created by British designer Damian Williamson and called ‘Konami’ (Japanese for ‘little wave’). It features gently undulating curves, discreet seams and fixed cushions, giving it a streamlined and uncluttered appearance with a sense of flowing continuity. It’s available in an array of fabrics, with three different widths to choose from, and the slimline brushed-steel or black powder-coated legs make the perfect finishing touch.

‘Konami’ is actually one of two recent launches from the Danish brand, with the other being the ‘BM67’ coffee table. Originally designed by Børge Mogensen back in 1956, it was only produced for a few years but has now been resurrected for a new generation of homes. It was one of several pieces created when Mogensen experimented with closed rectangles as an alternative to traditional legs and comes in light-oiled oak, soaped oak or walnut, with distinctive brackets in contrasting brass or black. It’s flat-packed for easy transportation and certainly fits his vision of practical and durable furniture that enhances everyday life.

Cosy bed linen from Larusi

London-based Larusi is best known for its authentic Berber rugs but it also stocks a wonderful range of textiles for the home. It has just extended its collection of luxury linen bed linen to encompass three gorgeous new mix-and-match shades: ‘Chalk’, ‘Flax’ and ‘Havana’. Made sustainably in Lithuania, they were personally selected by Larusi founder Souad Larusi and are perfect for adding some subtle autumn colour to your bedroom. What’s more, linen is a great choice for the changing seasons as it keeps you cool on warmer nights and cosy on chilly ones. Prices start at £97.99 for a pair of pillowcases, and you can browse the full range here.

New additions at Muuto

Finally, Muuto has revealed several additions for autumn-winter 2021. These include a soft version of the existing ‘Connect’ modular sofa, a smaller size of Cecilie Manz’s ‘Workshop’ table that works brilliantly as a desk, and the option of armrests for Thomas Bentzen’s pared-back ‘Loft’ chair. My favourites, though, are two brand-new accessories: the stainless-steel ‘Wave’ tray by Cara Judd and Davide Gramatica of Milan-based multidisciplinary studio CARA \ DAVIDE, and the mouth-blown ‘Raise’ carafe and glass set by Broberg & Ridderstråle. The former features graphic waves and reminds me of a giant crinkly crisp (albeit a very stylish and artistic one!); the latter, meanwhile, was inspired by Modernist still-life paintings and comes in shimmering shades of lemon yellow and sky blue. They both act as statement pieces without overwhelming whatever space they’re in, and they’re incredibly versatile too.

All photography via the respective brands above