Rob Scarlett

Rob Scarlett is a British designer whose work balances industrial references with domestic scale, translating steel-framed warehouse aesthetics into home-friendly furniture. The Brunel collection, named for the Victorian engineer, covers bedroom, living and home-office pieces in solid oak and powder-coated steel, made in UK workshops.
  • Brunel Dining Table Brunel Dining Table
  • Brunel Bench Cushion Smoke Grey Fabric Brunel Bench Cushion Smoke Grey Fabric
  • Brunel Desk Dark Wood Brunel Desk Dark Wood
  • Brunel Bed Wooden Headboard Dark Wood Double Brunel Bed Wooden Headboard Dark Wood Double
  • Brunel Low Chest Dark Wood Brunel Low Chest Dark Wood
  • Brunel Bench Brunel Bench
  • Brunel Stool Cushion Smoke Grey Fabric Brunel Stool Cushion Smoke Grey Fabric
  • Brunel Bed Oak Headboard King Brunel Bed Oak Headboard Double
  • Brunel Hanging Rail Brunel Hanging Rail
  • Brunel Blanket Box Dark Wood Brunel Blanket Box Dark Wood

    The Brunel range takes its cues from Victorian industrial engineering, exposed bolts, rivet detailing, solid oak paired with blackened steel. It spans bedroom, living and home-office pieces, with each item designed to work as a stand-alone or as part of a coherent room.

    Production runs through UK workshops chosen for specific skills, timber cabinetry in one, steel fabrication in another, coordinated from Rob's studio. The workshops are named on request, and visits can be arranged for specifying clients.

    The solid-oak tops and matt-black frames sit well in softer, more traditional rooms too, the Brunel pieces read as structure, not theme. A Brunel desk in a classical study works just as coherently as the same piece in a converted warehouse.

    Powder-coated steel is hard-wearing and requires only a damp-cloth wipe to keep clean. Avoid harsh abrasives, which can dull the matte coating, and refresh any minor scuffs with the touch-up paint available from the manufacturer.

    • Meet The Designer: Rob Scarlett
      Designers
      Meet The Designer: Rob Scarlett
      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
    • How To Spot A Fake Eames Lounge Chair
      Buying Guides
      How To Spot A Fake Eames Lounge Chair
      As one of the world’s most iconic chairs, it probably comes as no surprise that the Eames Lounge Chair is the victim of untold inferior copies. In fact, fake Eames Loungers sit unknowingly, or knowingly, in peoples’ homes across the globe. Maybe you’re looking to buy a vintage Eames Lounge Chair online. Or perhaps you’ve seen a new one in a shop but aren’t convinced it’s authentic. It’s completely understandable that you want to make sure it’s authentic before splashing out on it. To help you decide, we’ve compiled some of the ways you can tell a real Eames Lounger from a fake. These sure-fire ways to spot a fake Eames Lounge Chair should help you make this important decision. Read on to find out. The size of an original Eames Lounge Chair Aside from a taller version introduced in 2010, the Eames Lounge Chair hasn’t changed sizes since it was designed in 1956. That means you can tell an original Eames Chair from its size. Fake Eames Lounge Chairs tend to have completely wrong proportions. So, if the size is off, then the odds are that it’s a knock off. If you’re buying an Eames Lounger from a second hand or vintage shop, then get your tape measure out. A classic Eames Lounge Chair measures 84cm tall, 84cm wide and 91cm deep with a seat height of 38cm. A tall Eames Lounge Chair is 89cm tall, 84cm wide and 92cm deep with a seat height of 38cm. Labels on an authentic Eames Lounge Chair Whether your Eames Chair is vintage or brand spanking new, it should have a label to prove its authenticity. When looking for a label on an Eames Chair, we tend to start with the base. It will normally be at the point where the base connects with the chair’s shell. If it isn’t there, then try sliding off the chair’s cushions and you may find a label underneath. Once you find it, a label should have one of two names, Hermann Miller or Vitra. To European and Middle Eastern audiences, Vitra is renowned for making Eames furniture. If you’re buying the chair here, then that’s what you should expect to see a Vitra label. However, Hermann Miller was the original manufacturer of the Eames Lounge Chair in the USA and even commissioned it in the first place. Of course, some Vitra loungers will have made their way across the Atlantic and vice versa. So, don’t be surprised if it has a Hermann Miller label attached to it. Whether it’s a Hermann Miller or a Vitra tag, either tag should guarantee its authenticity. Both brands have gone through a wide range of labels since the chair was first produced. That means there are many different labels that could be on your chair. It could be a small metal plaque, a sticker with Charles Eames’ signature or a roundel. If you can’t find a label on your Eames Lounger, then don’t despair. If the chair’s old and the right size, with all the quality fixtures and features then it’s probably just missing a label. How much does an Eames Lounge Chair move? An authentic Eames Lounge Chair should swivel 360° in a fluid motion. That is, the shell swivels on the base itself. If the base has wheels or castors, then it won’t be an original. Many people think that this type of chair is a recliner, but it isn’t. Yes, an Eames Lounger will tilt slightly when you lean back on it, but it’s no reclining chair. So, if the chair in question reclines far back or has mechanisms to help it recline, then it isn’t an original. An Eames Lounger’s premium finish Always remember the prestige reputation manufacturers like Hermann Miller and Vitra have. Not to mention the exacting standards of Charles Eames himself. That means original Eames Chairs are always finished to the highest possible standard. All authentic Eames Lounge Chairs are made up of three wooden shells. That’s one for the seat, one for the back and one for the headrest. Then there are two shells that make up the armrests. The shells all appear as though floating with no visible screw or bolts. The only place you may spot a screw is on the armrests and original ones will be black. Effort has been made to ensure the design is structurally sound whilst concealing the screws. So, if screws stick out like sore thumbs, it won’t be an original. The base of an Eames Lounge Chair The chair’s base is also a tell-tale sign. It should have five legs and be made using die cast aluminium. Since they’re made using this technique, the base should be one solid piece of aluminium, rather than having individual legs screwed together. Each leg will have a slight angle and taper off into a rounded end, rather than a squared end. The base isn’t always the same finish, in fact, expect to see it polished, chromed or matte black. So, if there’s less than five legs and steep angles on the base, you’re probably looking at a fake. How much does an Eames Lounge Chair cost? The price of an Eames Lounge Chair differs depending on the leather and wood finishes that you choose. But needless to say, the price tag that comes with them reflects the work that goes into making them perfect. That isn’t to say it’s a walk in the park to create a replica. The many elements of an Eames Lounger’s design means that a new replica could still cost upwards of £1,000. However, a used replica will set you back a few hundred pounds. So, if the price is substantially lower than those advertised by Vitra or Hermann Miller then it’s likely a fake. Interested in buying an original? See our authentic Eames Lounge Chairs here.