The designer behind our statement-making Isola Sofa collection, Lucy Kurrein is quickly establishing herself in the furniture industry. Lucy Kurrein founded her eponymous studio in 2013 and in the same year released her first design for SCP. In recent years she has worked with some of design’s biggest names, including Heal’s,
The Conran Shop and Molinari. From receiving the Design Guild Mark in 2019 for her Panel Chair to more recently being awarded ELLE Decoration's Young Design Talent Award 2020, Lucy Kurrein is a force to be reckoned with.
How did you first get into design?
I studied furniture design at Buckinghamshire University, then worked for several years with Matthew Hilton, followed by PearsonLloyd. Luckily I was fortunate to have such a diverse and rigorous training. I always felt a particular sensibility for design and knew I would have to work independently to be able to fully exercise that. I approached SCP with my first idea and it went from there.
Tell us a bit about your design process.
Drawing and handmade model-making is integral, but my process is predominantly digital for accuracy. I create three-dimensional models on screen, then print maquettes at a fifth of the size, which I paint or upholster. The factories can then work from my data to the millimetre.
Who is a Lucy Kurrein design for?
I design for myself but I can’t help but judge my ideas through other people's eyes too - friends and family etc. You can never really be sure how people will react though, so in the end I follow my own gut. It sounds callous, but I have to trust that my own objectives must reflect those of at least a few others.
What materials define a Lucy Kurrein design?
Upholstery, wood and metal, but I’m always looking for sustainable options. Whatever I’m using, I try to work in a compelling way.
What’s the biggest challenge facing emerging designers?
Aside from the obvious design challenges, I’d say that finding good, like-minded producers to work with is a big hurdle. I have been very lucky to have the wonderful London-based producer/retailer SCP give me my first break and kick-start my career.
Shop Lucy Kurrein
[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
One of the new starring pieces for SS20 is the Lars bedroom collection, designed by Says Who exclusively for Heal’s. Characterising contemporary minimalist design with its elegant joinery, Lars brings a cool and timeless appeal to the new season collection. We sat down with Kasper Meldgaardm, one half of Says Who, to discover more about the collection.
Can you give us a brief history about Says Who?
Nikolaj and I grew up together in north Denmark, so we’re lifelong friends as well as business partners. Nikolaj’s background lies in design whilst mine is in engineering and business, and by combining our experience with a mutual passion for furniture, Says Who was born. We have been running Says Who for 10 years now, working with customers, retailers and brands across the globe, from China to America and throughout Europe.
How did the collaboration with Heal’s come about?
We were initially introduced to Elena, the furniture buyer at Heal’s, through a network of suppliers. We have always been great admirers of Heal’s, so it’s a real honour to be part of the new collection. This collaboration is something we’re really proud of. We wanted to pay homage to Heal’s by creating furniture that echoed its heritage, whilst bringing traditional craftsmanship to a modern audience.
The painted cabinets offer a contemporary feel whilst the super slim line finish and neat detailing showcases the craft. Our aim was to create a range of functional storage, whilst giving customers the experience of high-quality design, which I think represents the ethos of Heal’s.
Where do you find inspiration when designing new products?
We’re always looking at what other designers are creating to see the new ways furniture is being produced, so that we can carve a new path and push our own boundaries. Design fairs are great for exploring the emerging trends and we travel round the world a lot as part of our research, but ideas might also be sparked when I’m least expecting it – it’s interesting to think about how much my sub-conscious absorbs and is constantly working away!
What were your processes behind designing the new Lars collection for Heal’s?
We have nine people in our team, and whenever we start a new project we’ll work together, sketching out different ideas until our concepts are crystalized. These will then be created digitally, at which point we would share our ideas with Heal’s and incorporate the team’s feedback into our designs until we have finalised a product that everyone admires. Each season comes round really quickly, so we rely a lot on technology to effectively collaborate.
A lot of production has actually moved out of Denmark over the last decade, so it’s important for us to understand how our designs will be produced and what aspects of the engineering process are possible. More recent programmes and tools, such as 3D printing and virtual reality, have enabled us to experience designs at a very early stage of the process.
This means we’re able to quickly identify which aspects we want to refine or modify, and work collaboratively with customers to realise their brief. Time is increasingly more precious, so the earlier we can perfect the smaller details, the better.
What would you say are the key trends to look out for in SS20?
Homes will be designed to offer a more natural experience, whether that be through materials such as wicker and cane, or moving towards a warm and earthy colour scheme, with shades of sand, rust and woody browns. I also expect to see lots of texture, such as bouclé wool upholstery or uneven finishes in ceramics. We’re spending much more time using screens and interacting with a one dimensional space, so I think that we crave a tactile experience to make us feel more connected with our surrounding environment.
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2020 we’re shining a spotlight on some of the female designers we’ve collaborated with recently. We’re passionate about championing women in everything we do and over the years we’ve collaborated with countless talented female designers. These designers helped to shape and influence the Heal’s collection you see before you now.
Paola Navone
We couldn’t celebrate International Women’s Day 2020 without mentioning one of the greats – Paola Navone. A central figure in the Italian post-modern movement, Navone began her career working alongside the likes of Alessandro Mendini, Ettore Sottsass Jr and Andrew Branzi.
She has since collaborated with a plethora of iconic brands like Swarovski, Alessi, Knoll, Cappellini and Habitat. Navone’s iconic furniture combines the best of the past and present. An exemplary manifestation of this ethic is the elegant Hepburn Sofa collection she designed for Heal’s.
Find out more
Genevieve Bennett
Born into a family of silk sellers, it comes as no surprise that fabric interested Genevieve Bennett from a young age. After completing her studies at Glasgow School of Art and the Royal College of Art Bennett transformed her passion for pattern, colour and technique into a career.
Now based in London, Bennet has collaborated with the likes of Crate and Barrel, Wedgwood and Habitat. Each design she creates takes inspiration from decorative arts with a modern twist. For example, her Deco Knot collection for Heal’s was inspired by Samurai knots she saw on a trip to Japan.
Find out more
Lucy Kurrein
Growing up in Leeds as the daughter of two creatives, it’s no wonder Lucy Kurrein has forged an impressive design career for herself. Having completed her degree in contemporary furniture design at Bucks University, Kurrein was scouted by Matthew Hilton. It is at his studio that she worked as an apprentice, kick-starting her professional design career.
Kurrein later went on to work for PearsonLloyd designing commercially as part of retail and transport projects. It was only in 2013 that she founded her own studio in London’s docklands. Since then she has established herself as one of Britain’s leading designers. 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 2020.
Kurrein has collaborated with prestigious brands such as SCP, Molinari Living, Joined + Jointed, as well as Heal’s. Her exciting collaboration with Heal’s resulted in the pioneering Isola sofa collection.
Find out more
Lucia Fraser
Painter and ceramicist Lucia Fraser is renowned for her abstract approach to art. Born in Birkenhead, Fraser graduated from University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne with a degree in fine art and is now based in London. Fraser draws inspiration from the natural world to create ceramics and paintings that are instantly recognisable as hers.
Regularly journeying into abstraction, her gestural and expressive style transfer from canvas to ceramic in a fluid painterly style. Fraser will also star in our 2020 London Craft Week celebrations as our Artist in Residence.
Find out more
Niki Jones
After having graduated from the Royal College of Art, textile designer Niki Jones began her career at Habitat. There she was mentored by the likes of Tom Dixon and Georgina Godley, an experience which laid the foundations for her eponymous collection.
Each design she creates reflects her Scottish roots as well as techniques and crafts she has encountered on her travels. By combining these cultural references with her love for traditional techniques, natural materials and colour, Jones has made a truly distinctive textiles collection.
Find out more
The brain behind our best-selling Brunel collection, Rob Scarlett has launched his second exclusive range for Heal’s. Spanning through bedroom and kitchen, the Crawford collection features ten refined designs. Choose from beds and drawers for the bedroom, as well as sideboards and a dining table for dining spaces. The collection is defined by its blonde, solid oak frames, sculptural solid brass detailing and Scandinavian aesthetic. We sat down with Rob Scarlett to find out a little more about the contemporary designer.
How would you describe your style?
I actually like to think of myself as a bit of a creative chameleon in that I can adapt to suit any style. Coming from a traditional cabinetry design background, I’m currently really enjoying more modern styles, there’s something enjoyable in paring down detail to the fundamentals, creating a design that’s pure and balanced. There’s nowhere to hide with simple contemporary furniture, so everything has to be perfect.
If you were to press me then the thing that I like to focus on, it’s the detail. It’s the small things that make all the difference, the touch of a handle, the gentle surprise of a dovetail drawer well executed. It’s the details that make something special, collectable and desirable. I don’t like to create pieces that scream ‘look at me’, I like pieces that grow with the customer and become a treasured heirloom. I think this is why my work does well with Heal’s, they share the same sentiment of design longevity.
Where did you draw inspiration from for the brass detailing in the new collection?
It was more of a reaction than inspiration. For a long time the industry has been experimenting with simple, industrial styles and in some cases it has started to become a little tired. I really wanted to start to inject a little more glamour into the designs while maintaining a subtle balance with the timber. It feels somewhat warmer and more approachable, like a welcoming hug, calm and serene.
How does the new Crawford collection differ to Brunel? What were your processes behind the design?
Brunel was my first project for Heal’s so I didn’t know the brand as well at that time. Crawford has come at a time where I understand the history and relevance of Heal’s in much more detail than before. The process is essentially the same though, it’s important to understand the customer and the market, then offer something different.
I draw, a lot, and I research, a lot. I really try to understand everything in the market, where trends have been and where they are going and what is relevant to Heal’s. The key to being a good designer is understanding where your product is heading and engaging with the consumer. Then draw, draw, draw. Find the detail that will capture someone from across a room. In this case it’s the pretty brass handle with accompanying scoop. It’s almost like a piece of jewellery on the face of the cabinet.
Perhaps to understand where Crawford differs, it’s worth examining the similarities. Like Brunel, Crawford is subtle and considered, it’s specifically designed to sit well in most homes. They are both relaxed and content designs, however Crawford is aiming for an extra level of specialness, for the discerning customer who appreciates beauty in simplicity. Brunel is understated in this regard, whereas Crawford wears its charm more proudly.
Why do you think the Brunel collection has been such a success for Heal's?
My wife was in Heal’s once and she overheard someone saying that Brunel was ‘stylish but not stupid’. I believe there are a lot of people in the UK who just want simple, beautiful furniture at really affordable prices and Brunel is exactly that. The Heal’s audience reacted very positively to Brunel’s compact size which really works for city living. I lived and trained as a designer in London so I understand apartment living and the desire was for smaller, but considered pieces. We’ve tried to exemplify this with Crawford.
What would you say are the key trends to look out for in SS20?
Continuing to move away from ‘less is more’ to an understanding and desire for restrained glamour. It feels like a more mature development.
Rob Scarlett’s Crawford collection
British homeware design studio One Nine Eight Five specialises in print and interior textiles with a focus on ethical design. For SS20 One Nine Eight Five has joined forces with Heal’s to release an exclusive edition of the best-selling Wallis Sofa. We sat down with One Nine Eight Five’s founder, Eleanor Nadimi, to discover more about this recent collaboration with Heal’s.
How did One Nine Eight Five's collaboration for the Wallis Sofa come about?
I’ve been working with Heal’s to design exclusive cushion collections over the past three winter seasons, but we’ve always spoken about the prospect of a larger project. After releasing the Labyrinth rug for AW19, Kris Manalo, the senior upholstery buyer at Heal’s, reached out with plans for a sofa project and we felt SS20 would be the perfect time.
What was your inspiration behind the design?
We took spring as our inspiration, and focused on how nature comes back to life after winter. I wanted to paint the design using soft brush strokes, combining neutral tones with greens and pinks as an abstract reflection of how plants start to blossom during springtime, bringing with them bursts of colour and a sense of new life. I was so happy to get the chance to apply the design to Russel Pinch’s Wallis sofa - it has a beautiful, smooth frame and worked so well with the print.
What are your processes in creating new designs and how do you bring them to life?
When coming up with a design, I always begin with research, whether that’s exploring an exhibition, taking a trip to new places or burying my head in a good book. Once inspiration hits, I start painting or putting together collages - and the music is always on to keep me in the creative zone!
The hands-on element is incredibly important to me as it helps develop the design and I can play around with the colour and pattern until it feels right. I then scan my work into the computer, refine the designs so they are ready for printing and begin the sampling process.
Have advances in technology enabled you to be more creative with your designs?
Definitely! Sustainability and ethical trading are core values within One Nine Eight Five, so everything I do aligns with this. Now more than ever, people are aware of the environmental implications of production processes, pushing the industry to come up with innovative ways to work with fabrics sustainably, which has then allowed me to be much more creative.
For example, my new Woman throws are crafted using recycled cotton, which has been salvaged from offcuts in garment factories. These are broken down into fibre, re-spun into yarn and then woven into super soft throws. It’s really lovely to cross over fashion and interiors, especially when we can help reduce the impact of how wasteful the fashion industry can be.
How would you describe your style in three words?
Bold, contemporary, and colourful.
What would you say are the key trends to look out for in SS20?
Sustainability, longevity and craftsmanship. Awareness of the environment is filtering into our everyday lives and homes. There is a real sense of bringing nature indoors and connecting with the environment to transform your space into a haven, not just with plants but through the use of organic materials and nature-inspired palettes. Textured fabrics are influenced by these ideals too.
Tactile and natural fibres such as cottons, velvets, boucle and soft wools help to create the perfect blend of cosy comfort and style. There is also added emphasis on the quality of pieces you introduce into your home, focusing on items that have been made to last by combining traditional techniques with innovation, craftsmanship and raw materials.
Discover more about One Nine Eight Five
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
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.
Discover more
-
Trends & Lifestyle
-
At Heal's
-
Tips & Advice
