BACK TO BASICS AT LDF 2014

Artisanal skills and exciting new ethical design brands stood out for me at Tent London and designjunction this week. Clockwise, from top left: Recycled, hand-made glass and hammered brass cups made in East Africa, via innovative new fair-trade studio, Otago; New, tactile wooden stacking bowls from Chilean brand Bravo; This elegant ‘Carvel’ chair in wind-felled larch is inspired by Irish boat-making. Designed by architect Andrew Clancy (under his new design label, Déanta Design) and made by Matthew O’Malley, it is part of the beautiful Design and Crafts Council Ireland ‘Weathering’ exhibition. (Many of the exhibitors have their work stocked by Makers & Brothers, which is well worth a peep); Hand-crafted accessories in oak and cherry from new eco-friendly studio Tanti (an archaic word for ‘worthwhile’) which has just launched in Leicestershire and uses sustainably-sourced British wood.

It was also a real treat to see the new Common Thread project rugs from inspiring Moroccan collective, Anou, created in collaboration with designer Sabrina Kraus Lopez via the British Council. Such beautiful designs, so intricately woven.