New Designers 12: Furniture/Interior Product

ARTS THREAD seeks out highlights from Furniture/Interior Product at this week’s New Designers show.

Spyros Kizis, an MA graduate from Edinburgh College of Art, took as his project the ecological problem of oil-derived plastics. The lampshade that Spyros has designed uses a artichoke thistle fibre reinforced plastic, developed from Greek artichoke thistle fibre and biological resin produced from waste cooking oil – making it 100% biodegradable. Spyros has created a unique product that is not only aesthetic but also explores an opportunity for the development of ecological Greek agriculture.

Helena Croly of Bucks New University has been working to find a less harmful alternative to chemical and petroleum-based glues for furniture. Looking at the type of glues used in the past, such as hide glues, Helena came across tree resins and, in particular, roisin or pine resin.

A by-product of forestry and also tapped for many uses from food to cosmetics, Helena mixed the resin with olive oil, linseed etc to create a strong bonding material when used with twine. Helena is now experimenting with the resin onto canvas panels, where the resin will harden the canvas sufficiently to to create a structured cabinet, retaining the organic marks of the resin.

From Plymouth University, Tom Bonfield has created a wood burner that fits into modern day life unlike traditional designs. Tom’s design uses less energy and offers the user the convenience of wood storage. A visually strong piece of furniture.

Barnaby J F Moore is from Kingston University and his work addressed the constant amount of fiddly flatpack furniture in today’s market. He has created a simple quick and easy to assemble table based on traditional wood techniques, with no adhesives.

Also from Kingston University, Elenor Whiston has created a chair that explores a low-cost alternative to upholstery. The chair’s volume comes from an expanded foam which created its own restrictions when it came to designing the chair. Elenor is passionate about British design and her product is handmade from 100% British materials – oak wood and sustainable-sourced felt.

Natalie Chamberlain, a graduate of Loughborough University, creates beautiful wooden objects that showcase her passion for wood turning. Created from freshly-cut greenwood, Natalie enjoys the challenge of the technique that allows her to create create unique, contemporary and visually appealing handmade pieces.

Oliver Sparks, who studied Furniture Design from Bucks New University as a Designer Maker, has designed and made a beautiful cabinet inspired by his concept of intimacy. He researched the relationship between two people and noticed how they interacted which led to his discovery that an embrace is the closest type of intimacy. The cabinet represents the holding of something special, such as jewellery. The organic form is made from Swiss steamed pear wood and the bespoke fittings are connected with handmade hinges.

Through a process of coopering which consists of 40 separate pieces on a separate angle, it creates a beautiful top finish and is then hand carved afterwards. Opened and closed by magnets, the interior is a secret space for jewellery creates that interaction between user and cabinet. Te cabinet finish was achieved with Oliver’s own homemade tools, creating a unique keepsake.