New furniture & homeware finds | October 2016

It’s time for another round-up of new products and homeware collections that have appeared on my radar recently. There are some beauties this month, including a host of launches from Denmark and some exciting additions at brands based a little closer to home…

New chairs from Carl Hansen & Son

First up is Scandinavian stalwart Carl Hansen & Son, which has created black lacquer versions of Hans J. Wegner’s iconic ‘Wing’ and ‘Oculus’ chairs and footrests (previously only available with stainless-steel frames). The company has also added two new elements to its softly upholstered ‘Embrace’ series, conceived by Austrian design trio EOOS – a relaxed lounge chair and a matching footstool, which join the side / dining chairs launched last year.

Limited-edition copper for the 31/2-21/2 floor lamp

More Danish news comes courtesy of Louis Poulsen, which has launched a special copper version of Poul Henningsen’s 31/2-2/12 floor lamp. The one-off design has been created to mark the 90th anniversary of Henningsen’s three-shade system, which was developed in 1926 to illuminate the newly built Forum exhibition hall, one of Copenhagen’s first functionalist buildings. It’s on sale until 31st December and has Henningsen’s signature engraved in the copper.

New additions at Skagerak

There’s a raft of new additions at yet another Danish brand, Skagerak, which focuses on creating timeless designs which preserve their look and function for generations. The latest products have been developed to mark the company’s 40th birthday and include several collaborations with other Scandinavian names. My favourites are Norwegian design studio Noidoi’s highly flexible ‘Pulse’ daybed, which has a removable mattress and magazine rack, plus a hatch that doubles as a serving tray; Sweden-based TAF Architect’s ‘Brut’ table, which combines delicate legs with super-tough powder-coated steel; and Terkel Skou Steffensen’s ‘Indskud’ family of side tables, whose tops can be lifted off to act as trays.

I also love the look of Line Depping’s ‘Turn’ bench, stool and mirror, which are made from untreated ash with a beautiful grain. The bench and stool have understated, rounded forms, while the mirror was designed to resemble a water droplet and is formed from a single piece of wood.

Hotel style from CollectionM

Now for a range that will please travel lovers: homeware and accessories from hotel group CitizenM, which focuses on affordable luxury and which has branches in London, New York, Glasgow, Paris, Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Named CollectionM, the range encompasses many of the iconic pieces found in the hotels’ stylish rooms (the Eames ‘House Bird’, Pols Potten sculptures), as well as artworks and gifts. I love the look of the carry-on cocktail kit containing everything you need to make in-the-air tipples, and the scented candles from Amsterdam-based lifestyle brand Marie-Stella-Maris, which donates part of its profits to clean drinking-water projects around the world. The collection also includes a fantastic selection of 100 limited-edition cushions sporting eye-catching prints by UK designer Sarah Abbott.

Hartô at A Splash of Colour

Next up is online retailer A Splash of Colour, which aims to help colour-phobes like me introduce brighter elements into their homes (you can read design tips from founder Natasha Broady here). The company has added a whole host of products to its collection, including Scandinavian-influenced sideboards, coffee tables, floor lamps and desks by Parisian design studio Hartô. It’s also given its website a bit of a facelift, making it easier to navigate than ever before.

Japanese design at Eyespy

And finally some news from my own neck of the woods, where Bristol-based Eyespy has added two Japanese-made collections to its range of contemporary homeware. The first is a series of pot and pan trivets, some made from woven straw, others created by award-winning designer Oji Masanori and hand-cast in solid brass at traditional foundry Futagami. The other is a selection of Hasami tableware, designed in California and produced in Nagasaki. Its unique combination of porcelain and clay creates an organic feel and a striking matte appearance, and the mugs, bowls and trays can be stacked for easy storage.

All photography via the respective brands named above