In the fifth instalment of Designers on Lockdown, we spoke to Eleanor Nadimi, founder of One Nine Eight Five. Lockdown has affected everyone and all our brands and designers have dealt with it differently. As an independent maker, Eleanor had to adapt quickly to lockdown, read on to discover more.
Hi Eleanor, tell us a little bit about you and One Nine Eight Five…
Hello, my name is Eleanor Nadimi and I’m the founder of One Nine Eight Five. One Nine Eight Five is an ethical British homeware brand that specialises in really bold, colourful printed velvet cushions, tassel cushions and recycled fibre throws.
How is lockdown treating you?
I have to say, it has been a tricky time as I’m sure it has been for many others. For example, adapting to new ways of living and working. The work life balance and trying to get that right took quite a lot of time. I’m living with my family who are all on furlough and in the meantime I’ve been trying continue trading and that took a bit of time to get in place. But it has actually been an extremely positive experience. I’m a big believer in needing to go through certain hurdles and challenges to move forward and grow. This has definitely been the time for that.
It is also a time of reflection that highlighted certain areas of the business that needed attention or tweaking. Luckily, I’ve now had the luxury of time to be able to address these areas. Being able to slow down and do this has been great.
How has your business adapted to social distancing measures?
As an independent maker I run the business completely on my own. When it comes to routine there isn’t one, every day is different. So, I could be designing for a few hours, followed by some PR, accounts and packing orders. There are so many different things within a day so to have that slow down a little was really helpful.
It has also allowed me to work on all the ideas I’ve had in my head for the longest time. I’ve been painting, I’ve been drawing, I’ve been researching. One thing I have really missed is being able to go to galleries. I’m just so thankful that most galleries have moved all their exhibitions online.
Thanks to the internet you can still feel incredibly connected and find lots of resources for research. A lot of the ideas are turning into reality now and I’m so excited to show you them. I hope once you see them, you’ll be just as excited as I am.
How has lockdown shifted the way you design?
The way that I design has definitely shifted. That’s partly because you can’t travel to a location or outsource things since everything is closed. So, problem solving and innovating from home has been a challenge. But it’s bought out results that I never expected.
For example, I’ve roped in my family to help with any jobs that involve more than a pair of hands. We created a beautiful photoshoot in the garden which I’ll be releasing soon. It’s taken turns that I didn’t expect to happen and I’m grateful for these outcomes. I do enjoy a bit of the unexpected and I work well under pressure. So, I find bouncing around different ideas and innovating really inspiring.
How have you stayed motivated when working from home?
One thing that has been a challenge at home is motivation, as I’m sure most people can appreciate. Something that has helped keep me grounded is living with my family and getting them involved. It bought us closer together and as they see what I do every day they value it a lot more.
They understand more about the processes of things and I’ve enjoyed sharing that with them. Also, with my friends from afar it has bought us all closer together and created a much better support system.
Another thing that has kept me motivated and grounded is my dog Lulu. We enjoy going for long walks and I’ve discovered loads of places on my doorstep that I didn’t know existed. It’s also bought me much closer to my local community. In times of uncertainty when you have no control, it’s so powerful when people come together. I’m so thankful for my neighbours and the acts of kindness people are doing locally and afar.
It’s so inspiring, motivating and grounding. It has made the future feel a lot less scary to me, and for that I am really grateful. For me, life moves so fast. I’m always late, always running to the next thing. To be able to take a step back and stop is such a special thing. Slowing down whilst still being productive has been a really humbling experience.
Like what you see? Shop One Nine Eight Five.
Want to know more? Read Meet the Designer: One Nine Eight Five.
https://youtu.be/RhTnaiKj4Ow
[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
Ever wondered what makes mid-century design so special? After reading this you’ll know your Jacobsens from your Saarinens and how to spot a design classic from miles off.
What is mid-century design?
Mid-century is an often-used term that quite simply means furniture or buildings designed during the 1940s, 50s and 60s, aka the middle of the century. Having become popularised after the end of WWII, mid-century design diffused across the globe where designers had varying approaches.
In the USA for example, the movement largely reflected the Bauhaus movement. In contrast, Scandinavian designers opted for clean-lined simplicity and created furniture designed to integrate with nature.
What are the characteristics of mid-century furniture?
Mid-century furniture can often be identified by its classic, understated look. Ornamentation and detailing were often abandoned in favour of uncluttered, sleek lines. Many popular styles of furniture from this period are crafted using solid woods such as teak, elm, beech and rosewood. Veneer was also used prominently and often lasts as long as solid wood furniture.
What materials were used?
The period between the 1940s and 60s was one of great innovation and technological advances. As such, many mid-century designers made use of materials such as plywood, wire, chrome and plastic. If you’re looking for furniture from this era, keep an eye out for these materials. Designers such as Charles and Ray Eames were instrumental in bringing plywood into our homes.
After meticulous experimentation they were able to warp it to create comfortable curved shells. Designers like Verner Panton were also in the midst of experimentation during this period, this time with plastic. Until now plastic had been used to mimic wood but Panton put it centre stage in designs like the Panton Chair.
Who are the most famous mid-century designers?
Some of the biggest names in furniture are mid-century designers and their work remains incredibly popular today. Danish designer Arne Jacobsen is renowned for the Egg and Series 7 Chairs, erring towards a Scandinavian approach to the movement. In contrast, furniture by the likes of Eero Saarinen experimented with new materials like plastic and wire.
There were also a large number of female designers who helped spearhead the mid-century design movement. Take Greta M. Grossman for example. Grossman was among the first designers to introduce the Scandinavian aesthetic to California's blossoming modernist scene.
LEARN HOW TO EMBRACE MID-CENTURY MODERN STYLE
To celebrate the addition of Paper Collective to the Heal’s collection, we delved into what makes the brand tick. From sustainable paper to charitable giving, it is a truly inspiring brand.
Paper Collective was founded by Morten Kaaber in 2013 and crafts home accessories from its base in Denmark. Its portfolio includes a wide selection of wall art, versatile frames, and stationary that do good as well as look good.
Serious Dreamer by Loulou Avenue | Image courtesy of Paper Collective
Three principles
Its entire ethos focuses around social responsibility, sustainability and strong creative partnerships. As such, it reflects these principles in every piece it crafts, as well as in the everyday. By working in collaboration with designers, artists and illustrators from across the globe, Paper Collective helps to unite the industry. Most importantly, its collection features a range of mediums and includes graphic prints, photographs, drawings and more.
Mother by Peytil | Image courtesy of Paper Collective
Paper Collective designers
The Paper Collective team has its finger on the pulse so is always on the hunt for up-and-coming artists. Its collection of designers is ever expanding and includes individuals as well as design studios and duos. For example, Dutch visual artist LouLou Avenue, multi-disciplinary design studio Lemon and Norwegian illustrator Børge Bredenbekk. Above all, it forges strong creative partnerships with its artists and remains the first port of call for new designers.
Faberge by Peytil | Image courtesy of Paper Collective
A charitable focus
In addition to providing all-important support to the independent artists it collaborates with, Paper Collective helps causes close to its heart. For each print sold, a portion of the profits will go towards a worthy cause. Currently, its attention is focused on helping to build a school in rural Nepal. This institution will provide education to several hundred children whilst supporting the local community. Once it has completed the school, Paper Collective’s charitable mission will continue elsewhere.
I Think Not 01 by Børge Bredenbekk | Image courtesy of Paper Collective
The materials
Furthermore, each of its prints are presented on FSC-certified paper that has been produced locally in Denmark. The sustainably sourced paper is certified by the Nordic Swan eco-label, guaranteeing high quality and recognising its low environmental impact.
It crafts its collection of frames with equal dedication to the environment and the addition of pared-back Nordic design. With options in black aluminium and solid oak, the contemporary lines and meticulous finish of the frames means they stand apart from traditional designs. Shop Now
Vitra is a Swiss furniture brand established by Willi and Erika Fehlbaum in 1957, with the licensed production of furniture from renowned brands such as Charles & Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, George Nelson and Isamu Noguchi.
Known for its commitment to forming lasting relationships with talented designers, the company is famed for enhancing living, office and public spaces.
Bringing together the best in iconic, contemporary design, Vitra's modernist products and concepts are installed worldwide by architects and companies to create inspirational living spaces. Luckily for us, we can celebrate and incorporate its designs into our homes.
Here are five classic Vitra furniture pieces you can add to any home:
Eames Lounge Chair
The Eames lounge chair was designed by husband and wife duo, Charles and Ray Eames and has been in production for over 60 years. It’s one of the - if not the - most iconic designs of the 20th century.
Since 1956, when both design and designer debuted on national television, this classic chair has remained true to the handcrafted details that define its luxurious design. Today, the Eames lounge chair is a staple in any contemporary furniture collection.
Made from soft leather and sturdy plywood, it’s still regarded as the most comfortable seat of its time.
The Eames Lounge Chair
Eames Plastic Chair
The Eames plastic chair range is another iconic collection by Charles and Ray Eames. Introduced to the market in 1950 with the launch of the plastic armchair and plastic side chair, these designs were the very first mass-produced plastic chairs in the history of furniture.
The chairs epitomise the playful functionality of mid-century American design, created to fit the contours of the human body. The plastic chairs fully exploit the advantage of the material they’re crafted in: rigid, durable and easy to mould.
Only one feature from its original design has been changed, with the replacement of the fibreglass shell to a more environmentally friendly polyproline seat.
The Eames Plastic Chairs
The Eames plastic chair also introduced a new furniture typology: the multifunctional chair whose shell can be joined with different bases to serve diverse purposes. Today the seat is manufactured in multiple variations, so whether you’re looking for a curvaceous chair that provides back support, a rocking armchair or an office chair on wheels - Vitra has the plastic piece for you.
There are a multitude of bases, colours and upholstery options, which will work in everything from dining rooms, living rooms and home offices to outdoor terraces and gardens.
Vitra Utensil Silo
In 1969, Dorothee Becker designed and brought to market the first wall-mounted organiser, followed by a smaller model a year later. The Vitra utensil silo has since been deemed an icon of plastic design and has become a staple in design-savvy homes, particularly in Europe and the US.
The Utensil Silo by Vitra
This wall-mounted organiser keeps your household utensils neatly together in one place - making it easier to find everyday objects. It features different-sized and shaped containers, metal hooks and clips, and it offers a practical storage space for all your odds and ends.
The utensil silo is very versatile, allowing it to be easily added to different rooms in the house including the kitchen, office, bathroom and children’s rooms. Offered in black, red and white, this holder is a stylish way to get your bits and bobs organised.
Vitra Noguchi Coffee Table
Designed in 1944 by Isamu Noguchi, this mid-century design is renowned for its free-form, unpredictable and flowing appearance. “Everything is sculpture,” said the Japanese-American sculptor – renowned for his ability to make sculptures out of anything that was available to him including clay, wood, stone, metal, paper and bone.
The Noguchi Coffee Table by Vitra
The organic formed Noguchi coffee table boasts a solid wooden base that consists of two identical pieces. These create symmetry and stability, while supporting an elegantly-shaped glass top. Offered in a choice of black ash or walnut,it's the perfect centrepiece for a mid-century modern style living area.
The Vitra Home Desk
The iconic home desk was originally designed as a women’s working table by George Nelson in 1958. It’s manufactured today by Vitra, bringing the colourful, curvy station to a new audience.
More than 50 years since it was first produced, the sophisticated home piece still has many uses as a small workstation in any modern home. This Vitra desk is detailed with attractive divider finishes and features swooping lines and chrome feet that support classic walnut panelling.
Its vibrant rainbow-coloured compartments are sure to bring your home office to life. This sought-after compact piece adds an inspired accent, perfectly suited to any contemporary, mid-century style workspace.
The Vitra Home Desk
Although these quintessential designs were established over 60 years ago, their popularity and reputation are sustained by the power of good design. From the understated Eames lounge chair and Ottoman to the exciting Vitra clocks, Vitra consistently produces timeless designs. Explore our collection of furniture and incorporate Vitra’s classic and contemporary lighting and accessories into your home.
Come in store at Tottenham Court Road to visit our Vitra showroom, the largest in the UK.
Our passion for contemporary design extends far beyond our own range and we're proud to work with some of the world's best designer brands. We are delighted to welcome the latest addition to the Heal's family: Muuto, a Danish brand with a passion for bringing new perspectives to Scandinavian design.
We caught up the Muuto team to find out a bit more about them.
Tell us a bit about the story behind Muuto. What is the brand all about?
Muuto was established in 2006 with the ambition of bringing new perspectives to the Scandinavian design tradition, characterized by enduring aesthetics, functionality, craftsmanship and an honest expression.
By expanding this heritage with forward-looking materials, techniques and bold creative thinking, our ambition is to deliver new perspectives on Scandinavian design.
In fact, our name, Muuto, comes from muutos, meaning new perspective in Finnish. We handpick leading contemporary designers who are strong interpreters of our philosophy and combine their talents with the passionate Muuto creative team.
You will know our design because it has muutos: objects made sublime through new perspectives, enjoyed across the world, representing the best of Scandinavian design today.
The Outline sofa, from £2,619
Muuto pieces have a beautiful Scandinavian aesthetic. What elements of Scandi design inspire Muuto pieces?
We’re inspired by the approach that was set out by the Scandinavian master’s of the 1950’s and 1960’ They designed from the value points of functionality, honesty, quality and craftsmanship.
At Muuto, we take those epochal elements of design and combine that with the techniques and materials of today alongside the creative approach to design that co-defines our brand.
What are the most popular pieces in the Muuto range and why do you think this is?
We believe that we’re strong across our three categories of furniture, lighting and accessories. In particular, our Outline sofaand Rest sofa embrace the Muuto DNA to the utmost extent by having a simple and refined design language yet a unique expression thanks to an emphasis on details and materials: Outline has an elegant and slim expression with a wide, soft seat while Rest has an incredibly soft seat and contemporary look.
The Ambit Rail Lamp, £625
Our furniture category also includes Stacked, a storage system comprised of different modules that allow customers to bring their own perspective to the design as they can create their own unique configuration that suits their space and storage needs.
Looking at lighting, one of the most recent designs that we’ve introduced is the Ambit Rail Lamp; the lampshades are made from handspun aluminium and have an easy expression that adds to the atmosphere of the room.
The Stacked Storage System,from £89
In our accessories range, two of our most iconic products are The Dots and the Restore Baskets. The Dots are a family of friendly coat hooks, available in 18 colours across four different sizes, meaning that customers can mix and match The Dots according to their personal taste, style and needs.
The Restore Basket is a functional storage basket that comes in 13 different colours. Restore brings a new perspective to the storage basket by being made from a felt that uses fibres of recycled plastic bottles.
You can now find Muuto on the second floor of our flagship store on Tottenham Court Road as well as on our website.
Ercol emerged in the post war era with a passion for creating furniture that was both well-designed and well-made.
Nearly 70 years later the brand’s design icons are still as stylish today as they were in the 1950s and its long-lasting reputation for creating pieces that stand the test of time is what sets it apart from other modern day furniture makers.
A staple part of the Heal’s offering, ercol embodies everything that we love about good design: expert craftsmanship, quality materials, and a beautiful mid-century aesthetic that captures the optimism that Britain felt about its design potential at the time.
We’ve picked five of our most beloved ercol furniture designs that we think cement ercol as one of the true furniture greats. Each piece boasts superb quality, a rich history, and ultimately, a beautiful design.
The Butterfly Chair
Starting out with a true icon, the Butterfly chair takes its name from its expertly sculpted back that is reminiscent of the insect’s wings. Elegant curves are paired with smartly tapered legs and, despite being designed in the late 1950s, it exemplifies a contemporary design that is almost Scandinavian in its simplicity. The Butterfly chair is made using Lucien Ercolani’s perfected technique of steam bending wood into elegant shapes.
Back in the day, the method marked a milestone in the development of furniture making and highlighted Ercolani’s instinct of knowing how to bring out the intrinsic qualities of wood in terms of colour, texture and grain.
Why do we love it?
The Butterfly chair is a true design classic, becoming more sought after as the years go by. Its design, comfort and craftsmanship ensure it's a piece that can be passed down for generations to come.
Originals Butterfly Chair by Ercol, £535
The Ercol Originals Loveseat
Next on our list is the ercol Originals Love Seat - a large, outward shaped elm seat, moulded for comfort. In 1943 Lucian Ercolani was asked by the Board of Trade to adapt the classic Windsor chair into a production friendly design.
Drawing upon his Scandinavian and Bauhaus influences, he developed the Windsor collection which combined traditional English settle and the Windsor chair aesthetic.
An instantly recognisable ercol creation, the Love Seat features turned spindles, splayed legs and an organic shape to form an enlarged version of the famous ercol Windsor chair.
Why do we love it?
A truly versatile piece, it looks just as at home around a country kitchen table as it does in sleek, contemporary homes.
The Originals Love Seat by Ercol, £800
The Romana Extending Dining Table
This simple ercol dining table has all the hallmarks of a piece well-designed and well-made, and not only is it a practical addition for homes short on space but its curved edge detailing and slim legs are easy on the eye. In a time when small space living is becoming a reality for more of us, clever design becomes more important than ever.
The Romana has a hidden contraption that boasts an extra panel creating a functional piece for modern dining spaces. Simply pull on one end of the table and the other will follow suit. A leaf is stored inside the mechanism which opens up and links the table together in seamless fashion.
Why do we love it?
This ercol dining table is one of those rare designs that never dates or shows its age ensuring stylish practicality for years to come.
The Romana Extending Dining Table, £1,860
The Treviso Desk by Matthew Hilton for Ercol
Ercol’s continued desire to develop design well into the 21st century saw the commissioning of Matthew Hilton who reinterpreted a number of classics using his take on contemporary design.
Out of this partnership came the Treviso desk, a perfect blend of mid-century and contemporary design creating a modern day classic that has great form and function. The desk provides a deceivingly large amount of work space despite its slender shape and a hole at the back allows for computer or laptop wires to be neatly slotted through, bringing this mid-century design into the modern age.
Why do we love it?
Known for his clever material choices, Hilton made the desk available in walnut to offer a contrast to the pale wood that is typically used for ercol designs. However key features such as splayed legs and clean lines are maintained for an unmistakably ercol look.
The Treviso Desk by Mathew Hilton for Ercol, £1,490
The Ercol Originals Room Divider
More of a bookcase than a traditional room divider, it can be turned into a colourful focal point in a room or kept minimal with handpicked ornaments and decorations.
Another perfect ercol design for space tight homes, the design is great for saving on lateral space by venturing upwards rather than outwards with plenty of display area.
Why we love it?
Trademark ercol details including spindle bars, hammer shaft joints and smooth carpentry along the solid elm and beech surfaces make it a classic piece that outlives interior design trends.
The Originals Room Divider by Ercol, £2,350
To explore our collection of ercol furniture further, visit one of our stores or see the full range online.
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
HEAL'S DISCOVERS
Ed Heritage
As part of this season’s Heal’s Discovers initiative, we’re delighted to introduce Ed Heritage, an award-winning UK-based designer whose signature style of clean geometry and playful details is reflected in the beautiful lamp he created.
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