Hello, I’m back! Did you miss me? I had the small matter of a wedding to plan and style! I’ll be sharing some of the images soon, but for now it’s back to business and finally, back to my On my radar series. I’ve been a bit remiss with these posts, but to be honest there wasn’t a huge amount of design news to report over the summer – most of the interior launches come in the autumn, when the design shows such as Maison et Objet and London Design Festival kick off.
So today, I’m rounding up a several new interior launches that have caught my eye this September – from neutral paints, improved classics and considered design to minimalist lighting and plant pots made from old tea waste, plus a new coffee table book that you need to know about! Let’s go…
Atelier Ellis launches 14 new colours
When London-based designer Cassandra Ellis launched her collection of paints early last year, I was immediately drawn to their earthy, neutral tones. Now, she’s expanded the collection with 14 new colours, inspired by the deep connection between people and nature.
Ellis describes the harmonious colour palette as quiet, emotive and timeless, reflecting an aesthetic that is somewhere in-between the traditional and the contemporary – ‘a new classicism’ as she calls it. Some hues connect back to the past, while others reference places or people that are personal to Ellis. She says: ‘All the colours are deeply pigmented to create unique shades designed to bring quiet, joyful backdrops to people’s homes and lives, helping them tell their unique stories in the way they choose.’
My favourite is North Star; a light, uplifting grey. There’s also darker tones in Palimpsest, Bird’s Nest and Brown Betty; the latter takes its name from her grandmother’s teapot. Banyan Blue is named after a loose-fitting robe worn by an 18th century gentleman at home, while Firle is inspired by the joy of roaming on the South Downs.
Produced by London-based paint manufacturer Mylands, Ellis Paints are 100% water-based with minimal VOC’s.
Images: courtesy Atelier Ellis
New and improved designs from Skagerak
I greatly admire brands that don’t feel the need to present and produce a brand new product every season, instead choosing to refine what is already in their collection. For autumn, Danish brand Skagerak have reissued some of their favourite pieces in new materials or finishes.
First up, the simple Hven chair designed by Anton Björsing now comes in a stool version. Named after the Swedish island in Øresund, the design is lightweight yet robust. New for 2019, Skagerak has introduced the Hammer series, designed by Christoffer Harlang. Inspired by the Danish island of Bornholm and the nature around the old fortress of Hammershus, the collection comprises a mouth-blown glass decanter and wooden salt and pepper mills.
Also new, are the No. 10 trays by architect Teruhiro Yanagihara. They’re part of The Table Project, launched at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen this year. The design is inspired by the Japanese Banjū tray that is traditionally used to serve manjū confectionary. Made of untreated oak, the trays come in three different sizes that can slot together.
Images courtesy Skagerak
Stelton’s Theo collection is launched in a soft, new colour
You may already recognise this collection – it normally comes in black. For AW19, Stelton have released the popular Theo collection in a soft, sandy hue. Designed by Francis Cayouette, the award-winning design combines influences from Scandinavian design and Asian culture. It’s designed to appeal to the senses and inspire slow, thoughtful moments.
The tactile pieces are made of stoneware, with a smooth matte exterior and a shiny interior. The milk jug and coffee maker have a heat insulating silicone sleeve, while the teapot has the added warmth of a bamboo handle and top. Simple and soothing, whether you’re a tea drinker or a coffee connoisseur.
Images courtesy Stelton
Homeware made of tea waste by Dust London
It’s inspiring just what can be done with everyday waste – Dust London are fashioning beautiful pieces of homeware from tea residue. The design duo – London-based Michael McManus and Matthew Grant – have come up with a unique process to dry out tea bags and combine them with jesmonite, a non-toxic binder. They then cast them in origami-inspired silicone moulds, made by scoring, folding and pinching paper to create the desired form.
They say: ‘Working with tea waste allows us to do two things; the first is to create a range of natural pigments and subtle textures in the homeware we create. The second is to raise awareness of the way materials are conventionally used and to challenge the perception of what sustainable design can be. A vase made from tea waste paves the way for those conversations happen. As a nation of tea drinkers in Britain, we find that people can relate.’
The collection is currently comprised of three objects; a vase, large planter and coasters. Each comes in five styles, taken from the different tea varieties Dust London use; chamomile, peppermint, rooibos, english breakfast and black tea. The pieces can be purchased on Dust London’s website and will be available at Tate Modern’s shop later this year.
Images courtesy Dust London
The Touch, a new book from Kinfolk and Norm Architects
A new title to add to your bookshelves, The Touch by Kinfolk and Norm Architects celebrates spaces that have been designed with the human senses in mind.
Published by gestalten, it features 25 haptic interiors, from homes and design hotels to museums and shops, by the likes of Ilse Crawford, Arne Jacobsen and Le Corbusier. Through beautiful photography and interviews with industry leaders, the book explores how light, colour, community and materiality can imbue our everyday life with a richer, more meaningful quality. I can’t wait to dig in; it sounds right up my street – in fact, I wish I’d written it myself!
Available in Europe and published worldwide on 10th October – order from Kinfolk.
Images: The Touch by Kinfolk and Norm Architects, published by gestalten 2019
Nuura expands their lighting collection
Danish brand Nuura have expanded their debut lighting collection with a selection of new pieces. First up, the award-winning Miira collection now comes as a larger pendant with a white, mouth-blown, opal glass bulb. Designed by Sofie Refer, the minimalist light can be hung on its own or combined with the existing smaller pendant to create a dynamic display. The larger version is available as a chandelier of three, six or thirteen pendants.
For September, Nuura also launches the Blossi table lamp, designed by Sofie Refer too. Simple, yet classic in form, the design features a refined, matt black base, topped by a discreet LED disc and an opal glass shade to diffuse the light. ‘The light in the north is particularly beautiful in the autumn, and I wanted to create a collection of lamps that could capture that beauty,’ says Sofie Refer of the Scandinavian-inspired design.
Images: courtesy Nuura
