We’ve been collaborating with our Heal’s Favourites on exclusive designs only available at Heal’s. We couldn’t be prouder of the relationships we have built and we have seen their exclusive and brand-new designs become best sellers. Let us introduce them to you.
Beatrice Larkin
After graduating from the Royal College of Art in 2013, Beatrice Larkin established her label with the desire to create design-led textiles for the home. Working from her London studio Beatrice uses highly skilled mills and finishers in the UK to weave fabrics made from the softest merino and lambswool. Passionate about honest craftsmanship, her collections are woven in small runs with a focus on quality, texture and the individual characteristics of each piece of cloth.
“I was lucky to grow up surrounded by beautiful fabrics with both my parents working in textiles. My father has had an interiors consultancy in Canterbury for 35 years and my mother makes embroidered textiles products. Alongside this, there was an amazing textile department at my secondary school and this led me to Chelsea College of Art for my undergraduate degree. At Chelsea I chose to focus on woven textiles as a specialism. I loved the slow, considered practice of weaving and the understanding it gave me about the composition of material. Design, texture and colour excites me and I am always drawn to textiles over any other art form. Fabric is a constant in all of our lives and functionally brings comfort and warmth. Yet the design surrounding it’s manufacture often goes unnoticed. I’m always fascinated by that contrast. After my BA I went on to study for an MA in woven textiles at The Royal College of Art. In 2013 I graduated with a collection of hand and Jacquard woven fabrics and I began my business from there. “
“As in the title of the work , a lot of my designs come from simple mark making. I begin a project with mood boards that give me an overall feel for where I want to take the work. This might be looking at photography, historic textiles, fashion, art etc. For the Mark design I had an initial idea that I wanted to create my own take on a Berber rug so much of my research was around this. It was also the first time I’ve designed a rug and the difference in manufacturing gave me new and exciting possibilities. For my woven fabrics I have to design with a repeat in mind, whereas with rug weaving I could design a pattern that would take up the whole space. This gave me a lot more freedom than usual which I really ran with. After sketching and mark making I scanned these designs into the computer and manipulated their placement to create a composition I was happy with. As rug manufacturing was a new venture for me I took advice from Heal’s as to the finished rug texture I’d like and the capabilities possible in making. I knew I wanted that Berber feel and a pile to create a blurred edge, in contrast to the jagged lines of the design.”
Russell Pinch
Growing up amongst the sawdust and shavings of his father’s workshop, Russell Pinch’s passion for craft ensures each piece of furniture is designed to be enjoyed.
Born in 1973, Russell Pinch studied at Ravensbourne College of Design, London. Working as a design assistant for Sir Terence Conran, he rose to become a Senior Product Designer for the Conran Group, working on a diverse range of projects from the redesign of Concord to furniture. In 2000 he set up the multi-disciplinary brand design agency The Nest, before a return to furniture when he set up PINCH design studio with his wife Oona Bannon.
Aaron Probyn
With studios in both New York City and London, British industrial designer Aaron Probyn creates minimal but tactile products that are both functional, emotionally engaging and have the objective of bringing joy to everyday life.
Passionate about sustainability and adverse to disposable culture, Aaron sidesteps trends to create quality-led, timeless design pieces with the hope that they can be enjoyed for a lifetime and beyond.
Aaron established a presence within the design industry 20 years ago, creating award-winning products while working for respected brands including Habitat, Conran and Tom Dixon.
In 2012, he established his eponymous design studio and consults on projects for global companies including, The Conran Shop, ABC Carpets & Home, Another Country, Heals, Waterfords, Crate & Barrell, Ikea and Normann Copenhagen.
Lucy Kurrein
Since setting up her studio in 2013, Lucy Kurrein has produced award-winning furniture and continues to impress the design world with her collaborations.
Lucy set up her studio in London’s docklands in 2013, quickly establishing herself in the industry through collaborations with international furniture producers. She has won numerous awards including the Design Guild Mark in 2019 for her Panel Chair and most recently ELLE Decoration’s Young Design Talent Award in 2020. Lucy’s exclusive collaboration with Heal’s is pioneering in its design led thinking, whilst still adhering to the principles of a comfortable sofa range.
Tim Rundle
Tim Rundle is the designer behind our exclusive Marlow Four-Poster Bed. For over two centuries, the four-poster bed has been a symbol of Heal’s. Now, the London-based designer has cleverly reimagined it for modern homes.
“It always starts with a search for simplicity. I wanted to create something formally reduced so that it was instantly recognisable as a representation of its typology. A simple, almost architectural frame; with a nod to Heal’s reputation for craft showing through the details and finishing.”
“The word ‘icon’ gets thrown around lots in design these days, often before a product is even on the market. However, a product can’t be an icon until it has gained meaning for people who identify with it. Given that the four-poster bed was the Heal’s logo, and that the Tottenham Court Road sign bearing it was a meeting place for Londoners of a certain era (not to mention the commemorative Royal Mail stamp) it really was like designing something that already had an element of the iconic. This was more than a little daunting, especially given that it would be Heal’s first four-poster for many years. It had to be just right.”
Says Who
Founded in 2010 by Kasper Meldgaard and Nikolaj Duve, Says Who’s aesthetic is rooted in the traditions of Scandinavian design. The design duo is constantly inspired by the atmosphere and sea view that surrounds its Danish studio.
“We have always been designing. Before we founded Says Who we were both doing all sorts of homemade designs and custom solutions for our homes. I guess it’s just a part of who we are. We have a constant flow of ideas and an urge to make things happen. So it was only natural for us to get into design and work with it full time.”
“With Lars we wanted to create a range that offered a fresh and modern approach to bedroom furniture. We spend loads of time studying what had been, what where and what could be in terms of look and feel and functionality. We ultimately ended up wanting to combine timeless colors with the tactility of solid wood framed with a crafted contemporary style. Matte, durable grey painted finish and walnut detailing was the core from which we designed the range. The walnut detailing extends to the contemporary solid wood legs, the inside of the drawers, the headboard and the bed frame itself. Perfect for modern bedrooms.”
“With Tortona we wanted to create a sofa that embodies a modern lifestyle paired with refined elegance. The idea was to define a comfort that was both visual as well as functional. A lounge comfort combined with a relaxed cushion look and feel achieved just that. Framing a modern style resulted in choosing to work with light elements as a contrast to the cushions. The thin arms and elevated thin black steel legs play well together in this regard. Adding french seams created a refined elegance to the overall concept. “
“The generous proportions of the Orso sofa offer a reassuring presence while offering a simplistic character that works well in any interior. To achieve this the design targeted a European style and comfort with deep cushions and sumptuously relaxing dimensions.
The sofa nods to Scandinavian design as well with its soft contours that delicately capture the simplistic outline of the frame. A seductive contrast to the elegance of its materials and the craftsmanship that is embedded in the design. From its floating effect to the refined pocket sewings this sofa is as comfortable as it is visually inviting.”
“The Unity hallway furniture designs boasts loads of details and materiality that will elevate any hallway. Created with a love for Scandinavian design every piece embodies a natural feel and play with lines and shapes. We wanted to keep the design seductively simple and purposely functional. A simplistic geometric shape combined with a graphic look enables this. We were inspired by the circular shape, visible at various levels of every design from the round corners to the round bases and round stems. Even rounded details. Needless to say, a crafted collection that showcases not only a unique blend between the rich walnut and the lighter solid oak. but also a sophisticated feel of contrasts in a beautifully compact design.”
“We wanted to work with a tambour mechanism as it really functions well and has its very own distinct look. Glide desk and sideboard utilizes this to create a modern and perfect space-saving storage solution. The innovative tambour mechanism means the front doors concertina into the back, ideal for homes that are short on space. Behind the doors you’ll find all needs for storage met. But it’s the details that make the Glide Sideboard so special, from the elegantly curved corners to the modern legs and the Danish-crafted turned handles. The Glide desk also doubles as a console or dressing table.”
“Working with the theme of long-lasting craftsmanship we designed the Kendal collection. Our translation is inspired by Danish architecture where slated elements are dominant. Combining this with crafted woodworking formed the concept of Kendal. Characterised by textured fronts that feature stylish groove detailing creating a very tactile and stylish finish. Crafted from a light solid and veneered oak the design ensures a timeless addition to your home as it is built like architecture to last a lifetime. The brushed brass handles add a luxurious feel that elevates its understated minimalist design.
“The Neo Chair is the result of wanting to portray comfort. Working towards how to visually show that the chair is the perfect place to take a seat, we chose to make a backrest that would envelope the user. Adding generous padding to the backrest adds a soft feel which combines well with its overall idea of being inviting and clean. The contemporary design of the chair enhances the concept as the backrest is elevated above the seat pad providing not only a comfortable and ergonomic support but also helping it to tell its story. The outer placed, modern straight black steel legs add a touch of luxury to the chair making it work well in dining rooms and home offices alike.”
“We wanted to create a chair that was instantly understandable and that customers would easily relate to. A chair that conveys a sense of trust and timelessness. We ended up choosing to revitalise a classic tub style chair. Creating a contemporary tub chair was all about making it just as elegant as it is cosy and making it embody traditional values in a new contemporary way. The gently curved backrest which becomes the armrests adapts perfectly to the body and any seating position. A well proportioned foam cushioning ensures maximum comfort while being light on the eye. The cream corduroy upholstered back adds a sophisticated detail that works well with the wood base. The base adds a distinctive element that reflects the craftsmanship and durability of Edit. It also contrasts well with the soft contours of the enveloping and reassuringly shaped top.”
“With Cartmel we strived to create a stunning wooden bed that manifested craftsmanship. We look at Danish heritage to find inspiration and applied scandinavian design to create a modern farmhouse style bed with a fascinating structure and poetic character. The main feature being the spindles conveys a nostalgic feel while enabling a light appearance. Framed in a soft yet well-built and sturdy frame that includes its gracefully tapered legs, Cartmel embodies a natural sence with its own personality and utmost care for details.”