No Frills

I don’t know about you, but I have recently noticed a bit of a turnaround in the handcrafted look. A ‘no frills’ approach to materials is out there and I see craftsmen allowing their products to stay un-treated, un-waxed, un-sanded and altogether ‘unfinished’. By doing this they show us, the general public, their huge respect for their chosen materials. I touched on this in a recent post http://www.mirandavedral.com/2016/12/conran-and-cathedrals/.

To marry raw materials with modern design takes great skill. One design company that is at the forefront of this aesthetic and who has championed this look since 1996, is Ochre. The three founders are guided by a fascination with materials, a deep appreciation of craftsmanship and the desire to create understated yet luxurious furniture and lighting. They design what they believe in and what they love rather than pander to market trends.

Tasteful design and excellent craftsmanship make a product beautiful so here are my top four Ochre beauties.

BEACH PEBBLE PENDANT

Rope flex, raw oak and glass. Simple. Any of those materials could be found along the shore, giving The Beach Pebble, a natural feel and a raw tumbled sensibility.

SABLE CHAIR

The simplicity of the chair design, with a gentle curve of the back rest and elegant legs really really appeals. Earthy tones lend the saddle leather a softness and references to the natural world pop up, with amusing colour names such as truffle, blackcurrant, beet and quince. I almost want to eat them.

WISP SIDE TABLE

I have often found it tricky to find a small side table, just big enough to take a lamp and glass. This delicate-looking table with long, tapering legs is perfect for awkward spaces beside the sofa. They can’t be accused of getting in the way, the smallest is a mighty 26 centimetres in diameter.

BEACH PEBBLE PENDANT

CELESTIAL WALL LIGHT

SABLE CHAIR

WISP SIDE TABLE

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