The second part in our series focusing on Tom Dixon's latest collection, this week we're lusting over the glamorous Stone range.
Carved from semi-precious Morwad marble, each piece is finished with polished brass elements that beautifully catch the light to create a luxurious contrast to the stone.
Additions to the homeware collection include a series of slender candle holders and serveware, while a new pendant, table and wall light add another dimension to the range.
Launched last week as part of Tom Dixon's SS16 collection, such is Stone's exclusivity that it is only available from Heal's for the first month of release. Discover Stone
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[ INSPIRATION ]
Behind the design
Inky fingers, folk art, and a strong cup of Joe - it's all in a days work for Hello Marine.
Describing her work as ‘bold, colourful and joyful’, Hello Marine, a.k.a Marine Gentils, is a French illustrator and printmaker based in the UK. Having worked with brands and publications such as Lacoste, Time Out and Penguin, her new collection branches out into the world of textiles with a range of limited edition designer cushions exclusive to Heal’s.
We wanted to see the self confessed 'pattern lover' in her natural habitat, so popped down to her seaside studio to talk screen printing, Matisse and her phobia of dull colours.
Tell us about the first piece you ever designed?
My first ever textile piece is actually very very recent and is still on my website. It’s a cushion with a cactus pattern.
Describe an average day in the studio
My studio is in Brighton, a beautiful, light space that I share with other creative, an atmosphere I finds really inspiring. I always start my studio day with a cup of coffee. This is essential!
After that I begin by sketching on paper and collecting images - anything that starts to trigger ideas. I’m also never without my colour schemes sketchbook and religiously collect combinations for future reference.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
My inspirations are constantly evolving, but the work of people like Margaret Kilgallen, Sonia Delaunay and folk art is a constant. It’s really hard for me to pin point precisely who as I’m a very curious person and always looking for new sources of inspiration. I suppose if I had to choose one hero I would say Matisse. The instinctive quality, the boldness, the colours, the scale, I love it all!
Do you have a preferred material or process?
The screen printing process is just amazing. The way you are always surprised by the results is very satisfying and addictive. It’s just refreshing to put an apron on and get messy with inks as opposed to work digitally.
Everyone has a personal reaction to colour, are there any you instinctively avoid?
Most of my work is usually bright. I've only recently started working with monochrome and I was actually really pleased with the result. That’s not what I naturally go for though, I had to make a conscious effort to tame my love for bold colours.
How would you describe your new range for Heal’s?
My cushions have been designed with summer in mind and everything we long for in the winter. The light, bright colours, the flowers and plants. Mexican art and native patterns have been a major source of inspiration and there is definitely a folk art vibe behind the range, but adding a modern edge within the boldness and colours.
Further Reading:
www.hellomarine.com
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The master of materialism, Tom Dixon returns with a stunning new collection exclusive to Heal’s.
Inspired by the effect of petrol spills on a rainy day, Warp is a collection of distorted vessels each finished in an iridescent glaze. Mouth blown glass is squashed and deformed to create the unusual profile of each piece before then being hand painted to create the unique lustres.
The range, which includes a Tom Dixon Vase, Small and Large Bowl, is part of Tom Dixon's SS16 collection and is only available at Heal's.
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For this week's In The Studio we're in sunny Gloucestershire to have a gander at Marcus Walters' multi layered prints.
Working alongside his partner Hayley, Marcus has produced a new collection of limited edition cushions for Heal's, each of which has been designed and hand screen printed on site. As well as having a nosey around the studio we sat down with the multi-talented artist, illustrator and designer to find out more about his colourful collages.
Tell us about the first piece you ever designed?
I started out creating collage artwork before I got into print, so my first ‘real’ piece is a simple collage made from different patterned paper that I found around the studio many years ago. I still have it framed in my house as a reminder of where it all started.
Where did you study?
I studied Graphic Design at Central St Martins. My subject choice was informed by a desire to work across a broad range of projects and subjects, however, my approach has always been visually led often applying my designs to products.
What is the inspiration behind your work?
I am lucky that my surrounding landscape is beautiful and always changing so I find it reflects heavily in my artwork. I guess the narrative in my work could be seen as quite simple and traditional although I think I approach it in a different way.
There are also so many artists and designers I consider heroes, from the greats such as Picasso, Matisse and Warhol to other perhaps less well-known figures such as Sister Corita.
I have also aspired to design polymaths such as Saul Bass, Bruno Munari and Eames of course! Having two young children also helps remind me not to be too precious about art - it’s about the freedom of doing it, going on a journey and not trying to get to a perceived end point.
Tell us about your design process, how do you get started?
I love collage - for me it’s a way of connecting art and design. My process starts with drawing as a way of developing the overall concept. From there I cut out the individual elements for the composition. I love the tactile nature of cutting and the resulting imperfections - quite often I will use off cuts or bits left behind in my artwork, or save them for other pieces.
I work collaboratively with my wife Hayley who hand prints my work. The screen printing process adds an extra dimension to the artwork especially when overprinting different layers on top of each other. When I hand my artwork to Hayley for printing she will also add her own interpretation of my palette, so I can’t claim to take complete authorship.
Where is your studio based?
My studio is in an old cloth mill near Stroud in Gloucestershire. I share the space with my partner Hayley who has her textile print works in the adjoining studio, which is very convenient! We often work together on print projects and recently collaborated on our own range of tableware.
Although we often work together as artist and printer this was the first time we actually designed a collection together.
How would you describe your new collection?
My range could be considered as different components of one big landscape. My textile designs feature elements such as a sun, plants and birds that can work both together and as individual pieces. When I work on a series on a collection I imagine how it would look in situ - whether on a sofa, wall or bed.
Further Reading:
www.marcuswalters.com
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Designed by Tomoko Azumi for furniture brand Ercol, the Flow Chair marries eastern minimalism and British craft.
An exclusive new design for Heal's, this smooth beech wood chair features a distinctive profile that looks at home within our Ercol showroom alongside key designs such as the Romana Table (pictured above).
Utilising traditional steam bending processes, Japanese designer Tomoko Azumi has managed to create a continuous join between the chairs hind legs and curvaceous back rest. Find the Flow Chair among our wider range of contemporary dining chairs.
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www.tnadesignstudio.co.uk
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Cassina's LC4 Chaise chrome frame black leather
Combining this iconic 1920’s design with contemporary standards of comfort. After a long day this chair is perfect for a sit back and relax. Get 15% off at Heal’s while sales last.
Heal's Wingback Chair
Designed by Tom Dixon. The tall back and curvaceous sides almost encapsulate you, hiding you away.
Heal's Cinema Chair
A mix of Hollywood glamour and modern tailoring, Heal's swivel armchair.
The Ploum large high back sofa by Ligne Roset.
After a l long journey to heaven God should surely be greeting you with one of these.
Heal's Barrington
A classic club look that takes shape from an original French club chair. Let yourself sink in to this timeless classic. Vitra Eames Lounger & Ottoman classic
And of course this article would not be complete without a) Our favourite psychiatrist Frasier. And b) the Eames Lounger he is seen in above.
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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