Design Trends

 An antidote to soulless machine production, our interest in folklore and the revival of craft aesthetics reconnects us with the past. In the same way we are  using our computers to reconnect with old friends, now we use them to reconnect with aesthetics of our past. Borrowing the language of folklore we’re seeking an authenticity, details that add meaning. This use of Folk is not about going back to a bygone age , we cannot simply throw away progress and abandon machines. They are there to make our lives easier.  Technology in production allows us the intricacy that we could once only achieve through the highly skilled artisan.    

Studio Job Bavaria Range Indian Rose wood limited edition of 6 produced for Moss. Inspired by Bavarian furniture of 17th & 18th Centuries, this range of furniture uses marquetry techniques but instead of laborious hand cutting, the inlays have been laser cut.  

Fergana Sofa by Patricia Urquiola for Moroso. Uzbek weaving techniques are combined with industrial manufacturing to produce a pared down version of the complex traditional patterns, more suited to western tastes. Another Uzbek tradition maintained in this piece is the positioning of the furniture. We tend to push our seating up against the wall, whereas in the Uzbek tradition is to sit in the round. The Fergana range are island pieces meant be seen from all angles, it would be a shame to push them to one side.  

Cathrine Kullberg combines fine workmanship traditional material and precision laser cutting to produce her Norwegian Forest lights.  The classic Scandinavian tradition of using thin birch strips was first used for lighting in the 50s & 60s. Cathrine has further updated the tradition with her beautiful forest scenes. Norwegian Forest lights show a deep pine forest with animals in light and shade. When lit, the blonde birch veneer shines with a warm glow, and the delicately cut forest motif lets light to filter out between the trees.  The lights are cut by a company producing model kits and are then hand finished using seams of natural leather lace For more of her work : www.cathrinekullberg.com

Niki Jones is a designer who trained at both the Scottish College of  Textiles and the Royal College of Art. Having worked for various interior companies as a textile designer and style coordinator she has now created her own company.   Seen here is another design inspired by Uzbek textiles.  The range is designed entirely by her creative team mixing traditional and specialist techniques. www.niki-jones.co.uk