&tradition is a Danish design company established in 2010 with the founding principle of tradition tied to innovation. Their unique library of furniture and lighting spans from the 1930´s to the present day and includes designs by internationally renowned designers. Its ethos brings together the best in Nordic tradition and heritage to contemporary design, reshaping, redefining and reinventing materials, techniques and forms. They have a strong respect for nature – for the raw materials it provides – and believe in design that is made to last.

Abigail Ahern’s inimitable dark and dramatic signature style has cemented her place as one of the industry’s most celebrated interior designers. After launching her eponymous brand in 2003, Ahern’s first product line followed in 2008 with an offbeat collection of ceramic dog lamps. Big name high street collaborations soon followed, as well as spots in both Selfridges and Heal’s and her own Islington flagship store, Atelier Abigail Ahern.

Her seasonal offerings encompass furniture, lighting, sculpture, accessories, textiles and exquisite faux flowers and plants which frequently feature on her hugely popular Instagram feed, where she posts styling tips and tricks from her East London home. Ahern also regularly runs a series of style masterclasses from the same house, where attendees can learn about the transformative power of earthy, tonal colours and sumptuous clashing textures.

Founded by James Alder and Thom Brisco, this London-based architecture practice works across the UK, designing spaces to live and work, as well as exhibition spaces and furniture. Alder Brisco has had its projects featured in Dezeen, Architects’ Journal and the RIBA Journal.

Their innovative ‘attic of warm wooden curiosities’ for Studio Represent was shortlisted for the Architects’ Journal’s Small Projects Award, and Alder Brisco’s four cast benches – a collaborative work at Rectory Lane Cemetery in Hertfordshire – have been shortlisted for RIBA Journal’s 2021 MacEwen Award, which celebrates ‘architecture for the common good’.

Alder Brisco was recently included in the fourth edition of New Architects – an influential series of publications that features the best British practices that have been established in the last 10 years, which work across architecture, urban design, public space and related specialisms.

Image credits: Studio Represent by Agnese Sanvito (1-4); Studio Nencini by Nick Dearden (4-6 & cover)

@alderbriscoarc

Another Brand has a unique structure that connects designer and manufacturer utilising the strength and capabilities of both partners to create new and innovative products under the Creative Direction of Studio Theo Williams. Products are rooted in the DNA of Another Brand, and encompass diverse categories. Their furniture range – Cubo – is designed to adapt to any room, business or domestic, and is easily modified by the manufacturer to suit the client’s needs. Theo Williams progressed from designing products for brands like Alessi, to lead design and creative roles with Habitat and John Lewis.

Archive for Space is a multidisciplinary design practice based in London and Mallorca. Established in 2019 by Arabella Maza and Stephen Maginn, the studio’s work spans architecture, interiors, and furniture design. The practice adopts a distinctive approach to each project, drawing from and synthesizing an extensive archive of references and disciplines, blending research into a conscientious yet highly individual experience.

In addition to its design services, the studio is an ardent advocate of knowledge dissemination, believing that design flourishes when it thrives within collective brilliance. Its ‘Archive’ seeks to uncover a deeper understanding of design through the practice’s distinctive lens.

Award-winning Welsh designer based in London, Bethan Gray has a passion for luxurious natural materials – leather, marble and solid wood – and an extensive knowledge of craftsmanship and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. She designs for global retailers and prestigious brands including Lane Crawford, Liberty and Harrods.

In her years as a designer Bethan has also worked closely with craftspeople from all over the world, developing her eye for the rare and wonderful. Her sense of pattern, colour and form are at the heart of everything she designs. This in itself has been recognised by renowned Islamic art scholars, establishing Bethan as an ambassador for contemporary Islamic design.

Bibbings & Hensby is the workshop established by London-based furniture makers, Jack Bibbings and Matthew Hensby. Making contemporary wooden furniture with a focus on functional craftsmanship, the pair build on vernacular traditions with their designs.

Using hand tools and solid wood construction, Bibbings & Hensby combine traditional craft with modern design, making work that feels grounded and relevant. The use of hand tools ensures a connection to the craft and instils an individuality and soul into each item. Sustainability is a fundamental objective; the company is continually assessing each element of their process with this in mind, from using locally sourced timber to natural glues and finishes.

@bibbingsandhensby

Led by Creative Director, Angus Buchanan, and Managing Director, Charlotte Buchanan, Buchanan Studio creates distinct, considered spaces for both the commercial and residential sectors. Angus’ extensive work history with luxury global brands combines with Charlotte’s experience in corporate partnership branding to imbue all the studio’s work with an unrivalled sense of artistry and focus. Buchanan Studio is built around three key pillars – creativity, imagination and originality – and brings authentic enthusiasm and conceptual innovation to each undertaking. In 2001, the studio stepped into the product market, with the launch of their much-admired Studio Chair. More product is in the pipeline.

@buchanan.studio

Carpenters Workshop Gallery produces and exhibits functional sculptures by international rising and already established artists and designers. The gallery is actively involved in the research and production of the limited edition works exhibited. Founded by childhood friends, Julien Lombrail and Loic Le Gaillard, their first space was opened in London’s Chelsea in 2006. Since then they have opened galleries in Mayfair and in the heart of Le Marais district in Paris. In 2015 they opened Carpenters Workshop Roissy, a unique 8,000-meter square space dedicated to artistic research and development, bringing together the elite of artisans. Carpenters Workshop Gallery New York is the latest step in the gallery’s remarkable development, marking them out as global leaders in art and design.

With over 30 years’ experience in the furniture industry, and an instinctive ability to curate sublime and timelessly elegant furniture, David Brooke Consulting offers a unique sourcing, buying and project management service. A respected authority on modern, mid century and contemporary furniture, they work with some of the world’s eminent architects and interior designers and provide furniture to some of the most beautiful hotels, public spaces and private homes both in the UK and Internationally. Their longstanding relationships with the finest furniture brands enable privileged discounts and an unparalleled all inclusive and bespoke service.

Founded in 1989 by Loughborough University design graduates, Philip DeVries and Paul O’Leary, deVOL has grown to become a renowned design-led manufacturer of bespoke kitchens, interiors and bathrooms. The headquarters at Cotes Mill, a 16^th century water mill in Leicestershire, is where every piece is designed and made, with woodworkers, ceramicists and metalworkers all based at the historic site. Known for the quality of their craftsmanship, impeccable design and compelling imagery, deVOL are a benchmark of British kitchen design. With two London showrooms – St John’s Square and Tysoe Street – and their first US showroom on Bond Street, Manhattan opening in 2019, the deVOL brand is developing far beyond kitchens to become a fully-fledged design house.

@devolkitchens

@devolceramics

@devolmetalstudio

ferm LIVING draws on Scandinavian design traditions and simple aesthetics – but with a distinctive graphic edge that makes every item firmly contemporary. ferm LIVING is based in Denmark, where Trine Andersen founded a graphic design studio in 2005, soon expanding into design and interior products. As Trine found herself unable to find wallpaper with the kind of graphic design she wanted, she took matters into her own hands – and her first wallpaper collection was launched in February 2006. Ferm now stocks a constantly growing range of interior products, available around the globe. Even so, all designs remain rooted in the Danish soil, where it all began.

This small furniture design company was set up in 2008. Finch’s team of specialist crafts and trades people work closely with architects, interior designers and builders to create the perfect kitchen, wardrobe or freestanding furniture piece for their client’s space. The unique requirements of each project are taken into consideration, and matched with the design and skills required to deliver a bespoke result. A concern for environmental impact runs alongside Finch’s work, so carbon footprint, sustainability and waste are always taken into account too.

@finchlondon

Galvin Brothers design and make contemporary handcrafted furniture from their workshops in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Building on their Father’s 62 years of joinery and cabinet making experience, the business was formed by Matthew Galvin (designer) and Andrew Galvin (joiner) in March 2012.

Their designs celebrate the uniquely wonderful properties of English Oak and other hardwoods, placing traditional joinery techniques at the centre of contemporary forms — functional objects with a twist.

Galvin Brothers furniture is designed and built to last; honest-to-goodness and evenly priced.

Greg Cox is a furniture maker based in East London. Having trained as an artist to gain an MA in Fine Art with a sculpture specialism, Greg went on to combine his creative intuition with his work history in set building to design and make bespoke fitted furniture, wardrobes and kitchens. Greg works through a three-phase process; design, production and installation. And, all of his work is produced in his Leyton workshop, minimising disruption on site. He finishes each project with high-end Blum hardware and integrated door-activated LED lighting.

@madebygregcox

HAY was founded in 2002 with the ambition to create contemporary furniture with an eye for modern living and sophisticated industrial manufacturing. That remains their ambition today. Through a commitment to the design and production of furniture and accessories with an international appeal they strive to make good design accessible to the largest possible audience. Inspired by architecture and fashion, HAY’s continued vision is to create straightforward, functional and aesthetic design in cooperation with some of the world’s most talented, curious and courageous designers.

With over 30 years of experience sourcing and selling antiques, Goldsmiths alumnus Christopher Howe went on to launch his own handmade furniture and lighting brand, Made by HOWE, which coincided with the opening of his second showroom on London’s Pimlico Road in 1995. With creations based on his favourite historical designs, customers can commission pieces ranging from sofas, fireplaces, tables and chairs; tailoring size, fabric and details to suit their taste. Each piece is made in Britain, with meticulous attention paid to the choice of timber and the traditional methods used to make each item. So much so, that HOWE London has furnished works for some of Britain’s most trusted institutions, including Hampton Court Palace, Strawberry Hill House, The National Gallery and Sir John Soane’s Museum.

In 2004, Howe became the first person to have a single owner sale, Christopher Howe: The First Twenty Years, at Christie’s in South Kensington. This sale included items of furniture from the 18th-20th century, plus a selection of bespoke pieces from the HOWE London collection.

@howelondon

Founded in 2003 by industrial designer, Jack Trench, the eponymous company has maintained its original ethos of delivering bespoke kitchens and furniture with an emphasis on timeless design and attention to detail. Joined by Edd Thurston in 2008, who played a crucial role in steering the growth and design direction of Jack Trench, and became co-director in 2014. The growing team of cabinet-makers, fitters, designers and studio staff are based in its Tottenham Hale factory and studio, with a Clerkenwell showroom where they welcome visits by appointment, allowing customers to get a close look at the quality of design and build. Using highly detailed CAD software, more commonly used for mechanical engineering, allows the team to design to a particular level of technical detail. As Corian-accredited fabricators, they are able to develop the use of this countertop material in numerous joinery applications.

Jack Trench projects have gained extensive coverage in top design publications, notably World of Interiors, House & Garden, Elle Decoration and Architectural Digest.

@jack_trench_ltd

Jeremy Pitts studied Architecture at Art College before beginning his career designing private houses – from detailing the building itself to interior fit out, fittings and furniture.  This enabled him to see the whole process of making a house and, more importantly, a home. These early days saw Jeremy develop a practice of working with skilled craftspeople (cabinet makers, metalworkers etc.) and to seek unusual and exceptional materials.

His work today is focused on smaller furniture and cabin-making projects, working collaboratively with a range of skilled makers and sourcing difficult to find materials, particularly large boards of UK grown timber.

Photography by Oliver Perrot