Published - 07.03.23
Written by Charlie Porter
I have a friend who has a fascination with stones and rocks. At first, I found it funny, but over time I have come to admire it. He would be very taken with the work of Jane Haselden (founder & maker at Five In The Nest). Her work clearly expresses respect for nature and the 'gifts' that it bestows on us. Her hand-made baskets cup these objects, making that shell or stone exceptional.
'These little treasures are meant to be picked up, held, put down again, moved around……..the textures of the objects and baskets enjoyed as much as the colours and forms.'
Emily Evais donated ten pairs of tickets to Glastonbury to raise money for DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal with Oxfam. It received 46,392 supporters and raised over a million pounds. As a one-time fundraiser, I couldn't have more admiration for this initiative. Simple and so very effective. Unfortunately, it does limit one's chance of winning, but we must go on.
I couldn't quite believe it when I was first introduced to Maison Drucker. The colours and style it was everything I could have asked for in a chair. Although many try to copy, they remain supreme. Their new high chair is a much need addition to the children's market, they may not appreciate it, but as we are the ones that have to look at it, I think it's essential.
Architect and designer Giancarlo Valle has some impressive projects under his belt. But what drew me to him and his work at Studio Giancarlo Valle was this simple cedar wood mirror, its form restrained, it's colour captivating. It is not a piece all of us will be able to afford, but that has never stopped me from appreciating beauty.
(Kiki Table, Fin Chair, Paloma Mirror)
Many of you will already know about Casa Balandra. You, like me, may have gawped longingly at their incredible interiors. This casa offers itself as a creative residency, studio and guest house. What's more, is that you can book it on Airbnb. What an ideal backdrop for your next holiday. Annoyingly, you will have to have the complete wardrobe of Tilda Swinton in The Bigger Splash.
Growing up in Greenwich meant Darren Appiagyei was surrounded by nature. Here began his lifelong admiration for trees, 'I had a fondness for the variation of textures on every tree, which I still hold dear to this day. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, as nature was inspiring me without my knowledge, and this led to embracing the intrinsic beauty of the wood while studying 3D design at Camberwell College'. In 2017 Darren Appiagyei won the Turners' Award at Cockpit. Since then, he has exhibited at the Garden Museum and showed his work at Collect under The New Craftsmen last week. The collaboration between his design and the wood's unique grain means you end up with some exceptional pieces.
My favourite thing about Instagram is the ability to stalk design shows I can't go to. Unable to make it to Milan, not to worry. Didn't make it to Frieze? It's got you covered. I firmly had my eyes on Mexico's Art Week in February, and the Instagram account that gave me those eyes was designer and dealer Hollie Bowden. I was so impressed with all that she saw but the one thing that stood out to me, and I believe many others were 'The Perfect Nothing Catalogue'. She photographed one of Frank Traynor, the artist behind The Perfect Nothing Catalogue's juicers. He had turned a gem-encrusted beauty from a monotonous everyday piece into a precious, relic-like object. It was a joy to be introduced to such thrilling pieces, so thank you, Hollie, Frank, and, I guess Instagram.
OHLA STUDIO is a design studio founded in 2017 by Giulia Zink and Mat Trumbull. People come to them for their design skills and art direction, but for me, it was their furniture and lighting that turned my head. The sleek uneven, edged wall light named the Antica II is made of Copper in Brushed silver and offers a piece that has charm while also being sophisticated. Their Lupita chair is simple but pronounced. It's carved in pine and then cast in aluminium, upholstered in a low pile olive velvet, which is the chef's kiss on this glorious piece.
(Antica II, Lupita, Lina)
All my clothes mimic some workwear, and primary colours are my go-to. So no wonder I was taken by the work of 'We A Family'. They make clothes for children up to the age of seven. Each piece is well-made, colourful and utterly charming. If I had kids, I would be jealous to buy them any of it, but I am guessing many of you are far nicer than I am.
EJR Barnes recently put up a picture of a restaurant in Milan, where his Madame Pendant lights make up part of the superb interior. The restaurant in question was GHEAMA, designed by Room Studio. Founders of the Room Studio, Nata Janberidze and Keti Toloraia, are both from Tiblisi, their work 'lean towards preserving the inherited craftsmanship techniques unique to the region.' They have taken on three hotel projects. Each, jaw-dropping, seeing them has reignited my desire to travel to Georgia, a 2023 goal.
What could be a better present than a personalised pork pie in the post? Nothing? Well, I am in complete agreement. Any thank you's, birthday gifts, and just 'I hope you are ok?' will now be in porkpie form thanks to Bray's Cottage Pork Pies.
Listening & Watching
I do apologise all of these are news based -
This American Life, Gives insight into what it must be like to work as an OB-GYN in a state that has band abortions - 'When Its Time To Leave - Dr. Amelia Huntsberger loves everything about her rural town in northern Idaho. Her OB-GYN practice. Her patients. Her family. But for almost a year, she’s been fighting a losing battle and realizing that she and her family might soon have to pull up stakes and leave.'
The Daily's Episode on the 'defamation lawsuit by Dominion, a voting machine maker that was cast as a villain in these conspiracy theories, seeks to hold the media company responsible for the false claims made by its hosts and guests, presenting evidence that Fox knew what it was doing was wrong.'
Jon Stewart's debate with Oklahoma State Senator Nathan Dahm about Gun Control.
Last but by no means least, Tortoise Media episode Boris Johnson: The Six Million Pound Man, 'This is the story of a politician incapable of living within his means but talented beyond measure at finding people to help him live beyond them.'