All posts tagged: London Design Festival

Lovely Pigeon

Published by

Why do I love the work of British designer Kirsty Thomas? It’s not just because she’s promised to take me out for fish and chips next time I’m in Scotland. I first fell for the copper- and formica-accented line of handcrafted jewelry—not to mention her copper-foil adorned cards and notebooks—when I spotted the display of her design studio Lovely Pigeon at the designjunction expo during last September’s London Design Festival. Thomas is a print maker, jeweler, illustrator, and “occasional shopkeeper” who works out of an old net loft in Cellardyke, a fishing village on the East coast of Scotland. I asked Thomas about her use of copper, which was a strong trend at the festival. Why do you use so much copper in your work?  I love the copper/brass trend that has emerged recently. The softer, warmer tones of copper, bronze, and brass add a bit of bling and glamour without being ostentatious or showy. I also think warm metallics have a heritage feel and using them in their raw state has a truth and simplicity that you …

Inca Starzinsky Jewelry

Published by

I met Inca Starzinsky during last month’s London Design Festival, where she was displaying a collection of her jewelry and accessories at the Tent London exhibit at the Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch. A graduate of Central Saint Martins in 2000 and the Royal College of Art in 2007, Starzinsky has worked as a graphic designer, printed textile designer, design director, and artist. Part of the design and editorial team of Graphic magazine from 2002–2006, Starzinsky developed her skills in printed textile design at the Royal College of Art. I was drawn into Starzinsky’s booth by the vibrant colors of her geometric acrylic pieces. My favorites are the Fade series of necklaces and the Spin series of pendants, brooches, bracelets, and rings made from digitally-printed two-ply acrylic which is laser-cut and finished with silver loops and chain. Each of the variations features bold gradient coloring. The Hackney Clouds and Sunset series of brooches are based on photographs of the sky — they are like little peepholes into the heavens. I asked a Inca a few questions …

London Cube Co

Published by

I spotted these whimsical wooden cubes from London Cube Co at the 100% Design show in London last month. Claretta Pierantozzi established her design shop in 2013 after graduating from the Architectural Association and having worked for top architecture firms including Foster+Partners, Heatherwick studio, and David Chipperfield architects. Handcrafted in Shoreditch, these oversized versions of the alphabet block can be used as stools, side tables, shelves, or design objects.  In addition to letters, the cubes can feature illustrations from children’s books or entomological plates. The custom cubes are made to order from techniques including silk screening, letterpressing, laser cutting, and CNC milling, along with hand-crafted labor. The cubes feature frames, fretwork, and plates in birch plywood, white oak, or black walnut and come in two sizes, 17.3”-square or 8.7”-square. Though decorative, these pieces aren’t flimsy. Depending on the size and style, they can weigh from 4 to 30 pounds. This type of quality doesn’t come cheap however, and prices start at £340.