On my radar: recent interior finds – June 2020

It’s been a little while since I put pen to paper and wrote a blog post here – just one blog post in the last month! It’s been a funny month, my mental health has become a bit fatigued by the monotony of lockdown and I’ve been occupied with a couple of interiors projects, meaning the blog has been somewhat neglected. But I’m hoping to fix that this month. So in this ‘On my radar’ post I’m collating all the interior finds that have caught my eye over the last month, from new discoveries found while scrolling endlessly on Instagram to new launches that popped into my inbox.

There’s a focus here on sustainability, slow considered living and small businesses, from tactile, textured organic art and mindful illustrations to nature-inspired, eco-friendly bed linen and hand-crafted furniture made in East Sussex. All ingredients for creating a more meaningful home and plenty to swoon over. There’s also a new print shop that needs to be on your radar, which is championing creative talent and supporting charities affected by the pandemic. Hope you find something that catches your eye!

Élan Byrd
If you love texture and perfectly-imperfect crafts then you’ll love the work of Élan Byrd, a multidisciplinary artist and textile designer based in Miami. Byrd studied fashion design and textiles at Central Saint Martins in London as well as Parsons School of Design in New York, before moving to Florida to focus on making tactile, handmade pieces of art for the home.

During quarantine, Byrd has been creating a series of natural fibre collages made from repurposed vintage glass cloths from the 1980s. Her Open Space collection of woven raffia wall hangings also caught my attention, as did the sold-out Abode Collection – a series of original artworks inspired by ancient dwellings that pair abstract shapes with embroidered raffia.

She says: ‘I am deeply influenced by the cultural commonalities of ancient civilisations through their use of materials, architecture, woven textiles and the symbols they created as the earliest form of communication. I draw inspiration from these sources by creating modern pieces that embody those similarities, either in the concept for the collection, or in the materials I use. My aesthetic is a reflection of my journey breaking free from the construct of perfection and embracing the beauty in imperfection. It’s a celebration of texture, and the organic, natural forms found in nature.’

Find out more: www.elanbyrd.com. All images courtesy Élan Byrd

Arkade chair by Nanna Ditzel for Brdr. Krüger
Danish furniture brand Brdr. Krüger is putting the Arkade chair by the late Nanna Ditzel into production for the first time. The curvaceous chair was first designed in 1983 during a decade-long collaboration between the Danish designer and the heritage company. With its smooth, steam-bent solid wood arch and circular metal detail, the design pays homage to classical architecture and Ditzel’s love for elegant geometries.

Dennie Ditzel, Nanna’s daughter, says: ‘Nanna’s collaboration with Brdr. Krüger brought up exciting playful creations. The Arkade Chair bears the hallmark of Nanna’s design. It is a bold and different chair that doesn’t go unnoticed.’

The chair can be customised with a variety of finishes including full upholstery. It’s made to order in Denmark with a 10 week lead time.

On a different note, Brdr. Krüger has launched a support campaign for local restaurants in Denmark affected by coronavirus. When you make a purchase at Brdr. Krüger, they will refund 30% of the amount in the form of vouchers for restaurants such as Michelin-starred Noma and Alouette.

Find out more here. All images courtesy Brdr. Krüger

Baea
Founded by Adah Chan, Baea is a new contemporary homeware brand based in London and Hong Kong. Looking to the natural world for inspiration, the brand is passionate about sustainability and believes that ‘tranquility can be achieved by bringing elements of nature indoors.’

Baea’s debut collection comprises 100% certified organic cotton bed linen, hand-crafted cushions and cosy throws. The delicate embroidery that is Baea’s elegant signature depicts wild grass head and rocks worn by the elements.

Chan’s affinity for quality textiles runs in her genes – she’s the third generation of homeware entrepreneurs in her family. ‘I wanted to combine my mother’s eye for good design and her commitment to quality to create something that also looks to the future and is mindful of its impact,’ says Chan. To that effect, Baea only uses biodegradable materials for its products and packaging, right down to the plant-base buttons. The collection is also designed with longevity in mind, using quality materials and trend-defying forms and tones.

It’s refreshing to see a brand be transparent about their making processes. Baea’s bed linen is spun, dyed and woven in Italy and Portugal and embroidered in the Philippines, while the cushions are made in collaboration with Madda Studio in Mexico.

Find out more: baea.com, all images courtesy Baea

Line & Honey
Line & Honey was founded by self-taught illustrator Amberlee, who fell in love with design while studying for a degree in psychiatry in London. At first the brand was a way for her to relax and unwind creatively away from her work as a mental health advisor in the education sector. Now she creates beautiful illustrations and hand screen-printed textiles that feature the silhouettes of black women paired with natural textures and soft, warm neutrals.

Says Amberlee, ‘Line and Honey is a brand created out of a need to amp up the self-care in a busy, ambitious and fast-paced world. Focused on feeling visible and feeling well (within ourselves and our minds), all of the creativity that comes out of Line and Honey is done so with the intention of using art to be mindful and relaxing, focusing on the visibility and unapologetic attitude of women of colour.’

Find out more: lineandhoney.co.uk. All images Line & Honey

Liv & Dom
Liv and Dom are identical twins, ceramicists and illustrators based in Lewes, East Sussex. The creative duo launched their homeware brand together in 2015 after both graduating with illustration degrees.

From upcycled vintage lampshades to soap dishes, Liv & Dom’s handmade, one-of-a-kind sculptures, ceramics, jewellery and prints all feature the female form revealed in all its beauty. I particularly love their hand-finished nude dishes that come in a variety of finishes and glazes, each completely unique. They’re currently sold out and their candlesticks sell out over night so keep your eyes peeled for fresh stock!

Pre-corona, they also hosted monthly clay workshops at Earl of East’s Coal Drops Yard store in London’s Kings Cross, where you could learn to sculpt your own nude incense holder. I really hope they’ll have them up and running again soon.

Find out more: www.livanddom.com. All images courtesy Liv & Dom

Henley and Kille
Another new find based in East Sussex – Henley and Kille is an emerging furniture brand that makes fine furniture and bespoke joinery inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design.

The company was founded by best friends Tom Henley and Sam Kille who first met at school – Henley later trained as a bench joiner, while Kille learnt how to make furniture during his time serving in the UK army. They both share a passion for craftsmanship, with a focus on Japanese design processes, Scandinavian minimalism and mid-century furniture.

Henley and Kille’s simple, classic designs are handmade in their workshop in Rye. The Nokori bench has a Shaker look with its spindled back, while the Shibui footstool features a hand-woven cord seat inspired by Danish design. The Yugen chest of drawers also caught my eye for its beautiful dovetailed detailing that is exposed on opening the drawers. ‘The meaning of Yugen is beauty that’s not just about the seen but the unseen. It’s a sense of calm that comes from the subtle awareness of hidden beauty,’ they say.

Henley and Kille also take on bespoke commissions, from libraries and kitchens to built in wardrobes and doors. Find out more on their website. All images Henley and Kille

ServiceShop
ServiceShop was set up in March to help support UK based creatives, as well as charities, affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an online art print store that champions creative talent, giving artists a much-needed platform in these uncertain times. Art that not only brightens up the home, but does good too.

Prints start from £65. ServiceShop organise printing on a made to order basis in a limited edition of 20 for each work, while profits are split 50/50 between the artist and a charity of their choice. So far they’ve helped support: ArtFund, Young Urban Arts Foundation, ArtBox London that supports artists with learning disabilities and autism, Create! a charity focused on engaging the most marginalised in art, and Project Ability, a Glasgow-based charity supporting artists with disabilities.

ServiceShop currently have the work of 14 artists on their site. I love Dublin-based Daniëlle Siobhán‘s rich landscapes, Norwegian photographer Thea Løvstad‘s eco-art that explores the relationship between the human body and its surroundings, and James Lenton’s caricatures inspired by everyday life in London.

Find out more: www.service-shop.org. All images courtesy ServiceShop