EXTRAORDINARY DESIGNS TO GRACE YOUR DINING TABLE NOW

1. LUCY BATT -- EDITIONS

Editions, by Lucy Batt, is an extraordinary line of contemporary glass vessels engraved with detailed, precise patterns, cut deeply into the glass. Every Edition piece is one of a limited set that is engraved, signed and numbered.

Technically complex, each vessel has layers of wafer thin colour, which are engraved to create deep reflections that reverberate through the glass.

“Conceptually I am concerned with the sentimental essence of nostalgia, romance and nature’s beauty, which is always intertwined with a celebration of the material itself,” Batt explains.

Batt’s vessels were on exhibition at LDF’s Designed|Crafted, a delightfully intimate gallery presenting works from a select group of members of the Society of Designer Craftsmen.

2.  BRETT MANLEY

Brett Manley was also featured at LDF’s Designed|Crafted showcase. His kilnformed and ethereal dichroic glass pieces are astonishingly beautiful. Some are gilded with gold and platinum -- others painted in a rainbow of colors or further embellished with glass additions. Each is unique, made using Pâte De Verre principles.

“My work comes in many forms mainly reached in trying to resolve questions and elucidate curiosities about glass," explains Manley.  

“I love experimenting and the unexpected quirks that making kilnformed glass throws up. I use the magical nature of glass to take the 2 dimensional into 3 dimensions. Layering the glass and showing the spaces in between and within the glass, between the surfaces.”

3. KARI FURRE

Sculptor Kari Furre is drawn to processes that involve the body as well as the mind. It is evident in her magical works. Her tabletop pieces were also on exhibition at LDF’s Designed|Crafted show.

Furre’s work references ancient artifacts, and the sea, using translucent fish leathers, which she tans herself, and vellum. The bowls are formed in a mould but have a sprung wire rim to keep their shape.

4. BODO SPERLEIN - TANE

Mexico’s premier silver brand TANE made its debut at the London Design Festival 2015, featuring a new collaboration with London-based product designer Bodo Sperlein. The exquisite new collection of holloware and lighting was on exhibition at Mallett’s Ely House “Design House” and Decorex.

Bodo combined silver with dark hardwood, Mexico’s indigenous grey speckled volcanic recinto stone, and porcelain, to create contemporary translations of tradition.

5. THE ART OF PROGRESS

How can we change the world?

Forbidden Lakes, on display at The Art of Progress, a design-led ethical lifestyle exhibition at LDF 2015, is a small collection of 12 one-off plates, by Noam Dover. The artist transformed 2nd-hand porcelain plates by partially sandblasting them to remove some glaze, then reglazing them to form new patterns.

This collection is focused around images of lakes, as a source of life.

6. SU-SU DEOM-DEOM EUN-EUN -- KOREA CRAFT & DESIGN

Korea Craft & Design Foundation showcased another year of its Constancy & Change installation, which combines the nation’s traditional making skills with a contemporary aesthetic.

Exploring the theme ‘Su-su Deom-deom Eun-eun,’ (meaning Simple, Calm and Subtle), twenty-three artists presented 190 works.

We loved Kim Soo Young and Cho Ki Sang’s impressive update of Anseong brassware, in particular.

7. PAPER WORKSHOP AT IRAQ EL AMIR -- STUDIO GUTEDORT & MINT

Cutting edge interior shop Mint, founded by Lina Kanafani, is a go-to place for unique tabletop design. This year’s LDF theme, Twisting Traditions, presents a collection of craft-based works from over 60 designers and collectives, many of which are a result of unusual collaborations.

Paper Bowls, designed by German duo Eva Schlechte and Jennifer Hier, of Studio Gutedort, caught our eye and grabbed our hearts on a number of levels. The designers teamed up with women from the village of Iraq el Amir, in Jordan, who work in paper craft.

The project helped the people of this challenged area to find sustainable ways of production, and, in doing so, to boost their income.

8. WHAT GOES BEHIND...

What Goes Behind…, an exhibition at LDF, showcasing some of the most interesting ceramic tabletop pieces by Polish designers, presented “vessels of creativity.”

The pieces are designed as both aesthetic and functional objects, and contain the secrets of the creative process itself. Each involves a particular philosophy inextricably linked to its creation. We especially loved Weeds, a line of blue and white patterned plates by Karina Marusińska.

9. EATAIPEI

Eataipei, a series of immersive culinary performances, was presented at LDF’s Tent London. Its mission, to explore Taipei as “the best kept secret of Asia" shows off the culinary prowess of this modern city with deep and diverse traditions.

Along with experimental tasting menus, tabletop designers, such as Woo Collective, showcased the best contemporary design from Taipei. We took a fancy to Woo Collective’s series of handmade tin containers -- their patterns were created by burning incense on their surfaces.

10. LENNEKE WISPELWEY -- SMUG

Renowned Dutch ceramicist Lenneke Wispelwey was in residence upstairs at SMUG during LDF, showcasing her gorgeous contemporary porcelain tableware. Her designs are executed in sherbet pastel shades, inspired by geometric patterns found in nature.

Curated by Lizzie Evans, SMUG’s owner and creative director, the show included the Pour Darling Jug, Petit Four, Fat Lady and Queen Mother Vases. The show also highlighted Wispelwey’s unique low-tech design techniques.

Read more about Beautiful Design, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact, including The Best Eclectic Finds at the 2015 London Design Festival and The Most Beautiful Curiosities Now.

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