With the New Year on the horizon, we welcomed members of the press to take a first look at our new collection heading to Heal’s early in 2019. We transformed our Heritage Room, usually home to antique Heal’s designs, into an urban sanctuary filled with our beautiful new range of upholstery, home décor and designer collaborations.
Our forthcoming collection focuses on two design stories; Urban Sanctuary is inspired by the simplicity of Japanese design with neutral tones and flowing shapes evoking a sense of calm. It encourages people to see their homes not just as a place of shelter, but also of sanctuary. In contrast, Creative Escape is all about encouraging customers to explore their more playful side when it comes to interior design.
Centred around a warm colour palette, creativity comes from the mixed materials, tactile layers and unique forms of the designs. 2019 also marks the centenary of the influential Bauhaus school. After championing the movement the first time round, we are launching a range of Bauhaus-inspired products for SS19 in tribute. Take a look at just a few of the highlights below.
The Eden Bedroom Range
Perfectly suited for lovers of minimalist design, the Japanese inspired Eden bedroom range is simple yet considered. Designed by Emile Jones, the pieces feature a series of details synonymous with Emile’s work including crafted peg detailing, a concealed cut out handle on the drawers, and adjustable compartments within the drawer to the dressing table.
The Eden Bedroom Range
The Luna Modular Sofa
Elegant and versatile, the Luna modular sofa has been created with contemporary spaces in mind. With voluminous dimensions, generous soft seating, graceful curves and on-trend slim metal legs, the Luna Modular sofa is a design statement in its own right. As it is a modular design, the sofa can be arranged in a number of different configurations to suit any space.
The Luna Modular Sofa
The Ava Bed
The Ava bed is for those looking to make a style statement. This stunning statement bed is upholstered in a premium velvet with quilt detailing on the headboard. Placed against contrasting blue or dark tones, Ava instantly becomes the focal point of the bedroom. Also available in Fir Green, the Ava bed is reminiscent of a design you would find in a boutique hotel room.
The Ava Bed
Home Accessories
This season’s accessories are bold and contemporary, comprising a playful expression of individual style. Made in Portugal using a slip-casting technique, the Raawii Strom bowls and jugs provide an element of minimalist drama, contrasting lively orange and yellow with deep blue and green. Our Bauhaus 100 collection demonstrates how form and function can come together to create beautiful pieces for the home.
Heal's SS19 Home Accessories
Lighting
Our new lighting range features both our own designs and exclusive collaborations. Our own range of White Lights incorporates delicate, feminine shapes perfect for minimal interiors. We’ve also teamed up with Matthew Hilton and Vezzini to launch exclusive Japanese-inspired lighting designs.
Garden Furniture
Finally, we are expanding our range of garden furniture to include considered and comfortable designs that will transform any outdoor space. The Eos range by Case is back and Vincent Shephard's Wicked garden furniture range will be available at Heal's in time for the warm weather.
The Eos Garden Furniture Range
[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
Now in it’s 14th year, Heal’s Discovers promotes the work of innovative and emerging design talent by providing a platform on which to showcase their skills and creativity. Launching as part of London Design Festival, this year’s designers have pushed the boundaries of creativty by working with materials in new ways and forming solutions to common design problems. Meet the designers behind the Heal’s Discovers 2018 collection below.
John Eadon
Heal's Discovers 2018 finalist, John Eadon, has always had an interest in design. Having grown up on his family’s working farm, he used to sketch his own designs for tractors before developing his passion for creativity at Norwich School of Art & Design. He began working with wood and went on to teach himself furniture making.
Heal’s first discovered John at his stand at Platform at Clerkenwell Design Week where he was displaying his Trellis shelving system. The design stemmed from an exploration of the Windsor chair and the techniques used to make it. The result is a light freestanding, adaptable modular design that can also be used as a room divider. Its arched top and bottom, which were influenced by the use of arches in architecture, make it a truly standout piece.
The mirrored arches are reminiscent of when the arches of bridges are reflected in rivers they cross. “Such large pieces of furniture can be imposing and block out light, so I wanted to design something which would be very open and allow light through, whilst also offering options to act as a partial screen to a space.”
The shelving system can grow or reduce to suit the users changing needs – panels and shelves can be rearranged giving the owner plenty of creative freedom to arrange their own individual layout. This simple design is produced from sustainably sourced British oak and ash which were chosen for its excellent strength, flexibility and warmth.
John’s favourite Heal’s product?
The Tip Ton chair by Barber and Osgerby for Vitra - “It is such a good example of observing and taking note of human habits and designing to cater for those needs, it’s playful and purposeful and has an active conversation with the user. Little things like that bring a lot of joy to design.”
Tijn Van Orsouw
Tijn Van Orsouw grew up in a small village in the south of the Netherlands where he developed his passion for designing and creating. Backed by a belief that good design lies in innovation, Tijn developed the Lightcomposer collection - a series of lighting solutions made from Colback, a non-woven paper-like textile.
Initially designed as a window screen, Tijn became fascinated by the way Colback transmitted light and wanted to experiment with folds along different planes. After some time, his two designs were born - the Lightcomposer Wall Lamp and Lightcomposer Pendant both feature origami-style folds which disperse light from the inbuilt LED beautifully, emitting a soft glow around the room.
Tijn's Lightcomposer Pendant has a slim LED strip at its centre which holds the material in shape. Tijn works in a large workshop alongside many other designers and artists. “For me this is where I can talk about my work and work and play with new ideas and designs. In the afternoon we always have lunch together, sometimes with about 18 people. I like people around me. This is often how the best ideas surface.”
What does good design mean to Tijn?
Good design is innovative and pushes existing design concepts further on in a meaningful way. A good design should be able to be adopted by an audience and it should be clear how to use it straight away.
The Indigo Mill
The Indigo Mill is housed in a large woollen mill built in the Industrial Era. It has been a place of British textile manufacture since 1812, and now creates woven floor runners produced from recycled yarns. Sarah May is the brains behind the business. She began designing the collection of runners after delving into the archives of the Victorian wool mill the company are based in. The company then investigated the yarn stocks to start producing and discovered large amounts of unused tufting yarns that would be ideal for weaving.
“I made contact with the Bristol Weaving Mill during the small hours of the morning after my baby daughter fell asleep on me and I was left immobile scrolling through my phone reading articles. When I came across one about the BWM it sparked a question of why we couldn’t use our tufting yarns for weaving? I contacted the BWM and by the morning, I had a response back open to the idea of a collaboration.”
Experiments with the Bristol Weaving Mill developed into these beautifully finished runners. Each with their own pattern, they are lovingly made from 100% recycled yarn.
Where does Sarah find inspiration?
My garden – I’m a keen gardener I have plants everywhere, fruit trees, vegetables, flowers and my kitchen window sills are filled with cacti, indoor plants and succulents. The geometry and symmetry of shape, the available colours and contrasts, there is always a source of inspiration. It is my therapy, it provides a refuge bubble when life is on a chaotic schedule.
At Heal's, we believe that our behaviour is heavily influenced by our environment. Surroundings are therefore extremely important for those who create, often becoming a significant part of the process.
To mark this year’s London Design Festival, we’ve teamed up with some of London’s most pioneering women to celebrate the spaces in which they work.
Our five Heal's SPACES collaborators have recreated the spaces which inspire them on a daily basis in the windows of our Tottenham Court Road. Each woman was free to select items from their craft, from Heal’s and even from their own home.
From Jessie Burton’s writing shed to Melissa Hemsley’s kitchen, you can take a closer look at these creative spaces at the Heal’s flagship store until 23rd September. We sat down with the five women to find out a bit more about them and their creative space.
Melissa Hemsley
Author and wellness guru Melissa Hemsley is one of the nation’s most popular home cooks. Promoting a healthy attitude to food and eating, Melissa’s approach is all about finding the joy in cooking.
Her new book, Eat Happy, features recipes that are not only simple to make (most recipes take less than 30 minutes with only one pan) but filling and healthy as well.
“My favourite place to create is at my kitchen table. After years of dreaming and building our kitchen, I finally have a creative space I love. From my kitchen table I can see through to the living room where my boyfriend Henry is often working. Nelly my dog will be laying somewhere in between us, sunbathing. I can see our vegetable garden to my left (current favourites are basil, courgette and cherry tomatoes) to my right is a long shelf with all of my favourite cookbooks.”
Melissa’s approach to designing her space is much the same as designing her recipes – she focuses on what makes her happy and incorporates that into her space. Her suggestion?
“Brainstorm 10 moments when you felt at your happiest. If you write down fresh air, nature, a beautiful view, or an incredible meal - use these elements to build your creative space. I’m happiest when I’m comfortable. Some of the happiest memories of mine are on the sofa. If you like nice textures, invest in them.”
It’s no surprise then that Melissa has decided to recreate her kitchen space in the windows of our Tottenham Court Road store. Featuring our Cross table, which Melissa herself in fact owns, she has also included a herbs & spices wall and plenty of greenery to breathe life into her surroundings.
“I like something alive. Flowers or my plants. It’s lovely when a friend’s bought them. Emma Gannon gave me a money plant. Helena Lee gave me a peace plant. I’ll always put something on the table in front of me as a focal point. So I’ll grab a herb pot and make it the focus.”
Marina Diamandis
Since hitting the music scene in 2010, Marina Diamandis of Marina And The Diamonds has established herself as a truly unique artist. With three albums under her belt, she’s set to release her fourth later this year.
For our SPACES exhibition, Marina is reimagining her dressing room in our Tottenham Court Road window, giving passers-by a look into a space often unseen by the public.
“With a creative space, I make the priority comfort and practicality and add anything that creates a feeling of excitement or joy. For me, that’s colour. I love giant pops of green, pink, yellow in furniture or little items.
Also, I don't clutter it too much - I don't want it to be too homely in the items I bring. I want to feel removed from my home so I can think in a different way and remind myself it’s a place to get stuff done.”
When asked what she can’t live without when creating – “A great sofa! Every songwriter will appreciate that in a studio session. A nice soft throw and cushions too.”
Marina has chosen our new Eton sofa for her dressing room. With comfort at its core, our new Eton range combines a sleek minimal aesthetic with generously filled cushions – perfect for those long writing sessions.
Jessie Burton
Novelist and author of The Miniaturist and The Muse, Jessie Burton, chooses to retreat to her writing studio at the bottom of her garden to bring her ideas to life. “I drew it on a piece of paper and a shed company in Nottingham made it for me. It’s 10’ by 8’. Light blue with lots of glass so the light comes in. Inside I have a desk, a chair and a comfortable armchair.”
As part of our forthcoming SPACES exhibition, Jesse will be creating her writing shed in the windows of our Tottenham Court Road store. Based in London, Jessie’s shed is a place of peace and quiet that is dedicated to reading and writing.
It’s full of items she has collected over the years from her family home, charity shops, and other investment pieces. Her approach to décor comes from a belief that your creative space should reflect who you are.
“It’s your personal space so you should never feel compelled to follow trends. It’s got to be things that give you pleasure and that are comfortable for you. It’s about how it makes you feel. And it takes time. You can’t immediately create a space that will work wonders for you.”
Jessie’s latest book, The Restless Girls, is a dazzling, feminist work of short fiction, reinterpreting a classic fairy tale, beautifully illustrated by Angela Barrett. The work – as all her others – was written in her shed but her experience was very different.
“I’ve written 5 books now and they’ve all been very different in terms of creative process. Something that’s common with across them all is a patchwork approach; I have an idea for a character or a situation and it’s about finding the threads, being patient and being prepared to take false steps. It doesn’t come fully formed so there’s a lot of explaining and taking an open-minded approach. I’ve learned to trust that my subconscious will produce the next day's work.”
Annie Sloan
Colour expert and artist, Annie Sloan, is widely recognised as one of the world's most respected authorities in paint. Her range of Chalk Paint transformed the world of furniture, encouraging people to pick up a brush and unlock their creative potential.
When it comes to creating, Annie doesn’t need much.
“Paint, paint and paint. Paper or a sketchbook, brushes, a black pen and some water.” Her Oxford home acts as her base and she often finds herself working from her dining room as it has a nice amount of light. But she also draws inspiration from the outdoors – “Oxford has some beautiful outside spaces, from canals and rivers to incredible parks. I like to get up early and go for a walk. It clears the head and prepares for me for my day.”
Annie is recreating her art studio in the windows of our Tottenham Court Road store, complete with the paint for which she has become so well known. Her studio reflects her real life studio, a place that she describes as – “somewhere with good light, free from too many distractions, where you don’t have to tidy away afterwards; if you have to tidy up you lose the thread.” We couldn’t agree more.
Jacqueline Rabun
Our final collaborator is Jacqueline Rabun, a contemporary jewellery designer who has been collaborating with Georg Jensen since 1999. Her jewellery is easily recognisable from its fluid, conceptual forms that seek to reflect the human experience. Her designs use the finest materials, creating wearable works of art that tell a story.
Jacqueline works from her beautiful home in Clerkenwell which overlooks St James’ Church and her neighbourhood park. “I need a calm and nurturing environment that allows me to focus when I create. I always burn scented candles to bring harmony to my space.”
Like her jewellery designs, her process for designing is very fluid and organic. “My process is not always the same, typically when I have an idea it usually comes when I am not focused on designing. I love to explore shapes and forms from nature which I discover through long walks in London or near the sea.”
Jacqueline has recreated her workspace, complete with scented candle, at our Tottenham Court Road store – stop by to take a look.
Heal’s are going back to basics by celebrating the building blocks of design: materials. We’ll be exploring the beauty, diversity and versatility of the materials that shape modern design and celebrating the skill and craftsmanship that goes into transforming these elements into extraordinary pieces for everyday life.
The story of any design is a combination of ideas, material expression and craftsmanship. Some of the world’s most iconic designs simply wouldn’t exist without them. Knowing a material’s strengths and constraints are the marker for any good designer - understanding a material’s key characteristics is understanding a design’s DNA.
"Any designer worth their salt should be concerned by the choice of materials, but for us, it is a veritable obsession" – Tom Dixon
The Evolution of Materials in Design
From the pared-back nature of post-war furniture to the use of the most advanced technologies, materials show the evolution of skill, taste and trends over the years. Consider British brand, Ercol.
Ercol emerged in the post-war era with a passion for creating furniture that was both well-designed and well-made. It 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.
Without an awkward angle or join in sight, Flow's curvaceous form is thanks to the expert craftsmanship of Ercol's furniture makers The Flow 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.
Fast forward nearly 70 years, and ercol is still using this steam bending method in a number of new ranges. Another advocate of the technique is Tom Raffield, who uses steam bending to manipulate ash, oak and walnut into functional pieces of art for the home.
After much trial and error, his breakthrough came when he held a thin board of ash over a kettle for 20 minutes. Binding the switch with gaffer tape kept the kettle boiling but also blew the fuse.
Individually handmade at his woodland workshop in Cornwall, Tom Raffield's lighting designs are unique in their use of sustainably sourced woods and traditional processes By that time though Tom was able to twist the wood around a pipe and set it as a curve. And with that, a whole new way of working with timber was born.
With understated elegance, every piece is beautiful in form and unique in its use of sustainably sourced woods and traditional processes. It’s interesting to compare these timber designs with the contemporary shapes of glass lighting.
While similar in function, their aesthetic couldn’t be more different and that is down the materials used. Glass pendant lights feel much more modern than their wooden counterparts and tend to fit a wide range of design styles. That’s not to say these materials can’t work together to create something beautiful. K
engo Kuma questioned the materiality of glass and natural wood by combining the two distinct textures within one striking design for Lasvit. He poured molten glass into wooden moulds, charring the inner layer and leaving a permanent imprint of its scorched texture on the glass’s surface. It’s a magic moment when a living wood texture is eternally captured.
The Future of Materials in Design
In an increasingly digital landscape where we spend hours in virtual worlds and on social media, there is something appealing about the tactility of materials. We are hardwired to respond to things that engage our senses which is why we crave the materiality and texture that design offers.
The story of materials is far from over. With new innovative processes that build upon traditional methods being developed all the time, it seems as if designers and creators haven't lost the desire to innovate.
Eco-friendly and environmentally conscious design is becoming ever more important. Designers are starting to look towards renewable or waste materials to construct their designs. British lighting brand Tala, are committed to accelerating the low carbon economy with thoughtful product design, LED technology, and transparent practices.
The Gaia bulb is a dimmable LED design that uses 10 times less energy than ordinary bulbs Visit our Tottenham Court Road store or our website to discover more about the materials that shape great design.
We brought together some of the most influential people in design for a special preview of our AW18 collection. We transformed a three-story Georgian town house on Dean Street into the ultimate Heal’s home. Its high ceilings and natural light provided the perfect backdrop for our striking new collection.
Design is at the heart of Heal’s AW18, continuing our long tradition of supporting British design talent. For the upcoming season, rich, opulent and luxurious designs and textures create our 'Midnight Elegance' collection. Bringing a sense of scale and drama, the collection focuses on solid materials, matte textures and sculptural designs.
Soft velvets sit alongside brass detailing and smooth finishes combine with charred textures. In contrast, the bohemian feel of our 'Global Fusion' collection features an earthy colour palette with a mix of terracotta tones and refined neutrals.
With an emphasis on hand-craftsmanship, attention to detail can be seen in the joins, finishes and architectural shapes of each design. Take a look at just a few of the highlights below.
The new Eton sofa and loveseat
Our new Eton sofa was designed for maximum comfort – upholstered in the softest velvet with feather filled back cushions, this relaxed sofa is the epitome of . The legs are available in a choice of brass plated or blackened steel finish for a contemporary look. The Eton loveseat has been designed for any interior spaces requiring a relaxed, easy chair with a minimal footprint yet generous seat.
The Eton sofa and loveseat
The Massimo Collection by Magnus Long
Magnus Long made his debut for Heal’s with the stunning Massimo armchair and sofa. Magnus is a The designs draw their inspiration from the Bauhaus style but small design details give it a contemporary twist. The exposed solid wood frame is available in walnut or stained ash.
The Massimo sofa by Magnus Long
The Massimo armchair by Magnus Long
The Matera Bed and Heat Pendant
Our Matera bed is a beautiful statement piece that features the same beautiful design elements as our bestselling Matera sofa. Upholstered in a buttery Daino leather, its thin metal legs and clean lines make it a future classic.
We styled it with the beautiful Heat pendant designed by Johanna Forsberg for Northern. Each piece is handmade using brass mesh which is reminiscent of a "glowing could of fire" once turned on.
The Matera bed and Heat pendant from Northern
The Clay Table
Winner of the iconic Design Award in 2016, the Clay table by Desalto was designed by prominent Milan designer, Marc Krusin. This gravity-defying dining table is hand finished with lava from Mount Etna which is applied with a pallet knife, making each piece completely unique.
The Clay Table by Desalto
The Kyoto Pendants
Available in three shapes - long, globe and wide - the Kyoto range is a collection of electroplated glass pendants made in Poland with handblown glass with a contemporary mirrored finish. The perfect fitting to emulate our Midnight Elegance theme, a Kyoto pendant would work well above a bedside table or in multiples over a dining table or kitchen island.
The Kyoto Pendants
The Quill Pendant Tom Raffield
Having worked with Tom Raffield for a number of years, we decided to expand our collaboration even further this season. For this exclusive range, Tom Raffield was briefed to capture the beauty of steam bent wood through the creation of shadows and patterns. Acting as a down-lighter through the petal design, the Quill champions Tom’s well-known steam bending techniques, whilst bringing the natural beauty of wood to life.
Tom Raffield's stunning Quill Pendants Many more new designs will be joining our collection later this year including new lighting, home accessories and furniture. Be sure to follow us on Instagram to be the first to hear about our new product launches coming soon.
As part of our new Spring/Summer 2018 collection, we embarked on a new collaboration with artist, Katy Welsh.
Katy has designed a set of three cushions - Pane, Pillar, and Plinth - that were inspired by the hidden details found at our flagship store. We thought it was fitting to invite her to Tottenham Court Road to give our windows a fresh look for the new season.
Using her signature painterly style, she transformed the windows in a vibrant mix of colours inspired by her range. We caught up with Katy to find out a bit more...
Tell us a brief history of yourself as a designer.
I studied Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art, and since graduating I've been developing my personal practice as a print designer.
This has involved working on lots of different kinds of projects from stationery to interiors. I really enjoy having lots of variety in my work.
How did your collaboration with Heal’s come about?
I have wanted to work with Heals forever and last year had the opportunity to meet with Hannah Thistlethwaite, the senior textile buyer at Heal’s, and show her my work. She suggested a collaboration for SS18 and I jumped at the chance.
Seeing my work in store is a great feeling. I love the fact that Heal's as an institution is so supportive of up and coming designers and to be a part of that is really amazing.
What was the main inspiration behind the designs created for the collaboration?
Hannah’s brief to me was to respond to the Heal's building with my prints. I spent some time in Tottenham Court Road photographing architectural details of the store and each print was then inspired by a different aspect of what I had seen; Pane is inspired by the shapes of the large part deco window on one side of the building, Pillar takes influence from the famous Brewer staircase in the centre of the store, and Plinth is pretty self-explanatory.
Talk us through your process of translating a design from paper to finished product.
This project started with sketches and research. For Pane and Pillar, I worked in collage first, which is my favourite medium to use. I then took what I had done into Photoshop and played with adding photographic elements and refining the colour and composition. Plinth started digitally and then went onto paper.
Once I had worked out the repeat I redrew the design in crayon to give it more life. I screen printed all the fabric for this project myself too (with quite a lot of help). It was a very big undertaking for my tiny studio, but I was really happy with how it turned out.
Katy Welsh's exclusive collaboration with Heal's
You recently spent the day transforming the windows of our Tottenham Court Road store. How was that experience? Talk us through what you did.
I must admit I was nervous about decorating the windows of such an iconic store, but when I was approached by Kevin Torre, the lead Visual Merchandiser, I thought it was too good an opportunity to pass up!
I took reference from my SS18 prints for the window designs which, because they were originally inspired by the store itself, really tied everything together nicely.
I applied vinyl decals in the same way that I would build up a screen print: overlaying colour on top of colour and mixing in layers of halftone photography as well. This means the windows look different from the inside than they do from the outside which I thought was a nice touch.
I got help from Lea from the VM team who was really great! I finished off my designs with details of paint which went on the outside of the glass. This is something I've wanted to try for ages and am really glad it turned out looking so good! Thanks again to Katy.
You can see the all three exclusive cushion designs on our website.
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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