Small shop focus: The Future Kept

With only 8 more weeks until Christmas (!!!) I am starting to turn my thoughts to organizing this years holidays...And a big part of this is obviously planning my Christmas present purchases...

And this year I've decided to, as much as possible, shunt the big retailers, and buy my presents from small, local and independent shops.  

Being a self employed maker myself, I know how important every sale is to me, and without the people who buy my stuff, I would not be able to keep going...So I think it is so important to support all those little shops and makers that have been brave enough to follow their passions and set up a business in a world dominated by corporate consumerism.

So I urge you all to support your local shops: The fantastic local florist down the high street, The bakers who sells homemade cakes, the markets and fairs... and the neighbor that sells handcrafted jewelry online....lets give our hard earned money to individual people, and not feed the multi national companies money making machines...

Of course I realize that in this day and age, a lot of us (my self included) , with our hectic working , everyday lives, will be buying most of our Christmas presents online. 

But we can still apply this principle and support the little people, and with this thought in mind I thought I'd do a mini series of blog posts in the run up to Christmas, and  put the spotlight on some of my favorite small independent online shops, that offers hand made, locally sourced and unique products...

....in my mind the perfect, out of the ordinary Christmas gifts!

So, I am going to kick it off today, by introducing you all to an online shop that I feel empitomises this ethic entirely:

The Future Kept is an online purveyor of well designed, durable, meticulously chosen goods for you to cherish and keep, run by husband and wife duo Jeska and Dean Herne.

Based on the south coast of England,they design and carefully source items from independent designers, makers, artisans and entrepreneurs who are creating products that are better for our world, becoming part of your life story, forming an intimacy between you and your belongings. 

Jeska and Dean, image courtesy of The future Kept

I met Jeska and Dean yesterday, as they are currently to be found at West Elm, Tottenham court road, where they are having a 4 day residency pop up shop. So if you find yourself in the London area over the weekend I highly recommend that you visit them there to see their lovely curated collection of lifestyle products... 

With beautiful and unique products such as the hand thrown ceramic mug and coffee dripper, made exclusively for TFK by Scottish ceramist Julia Smith (Top picture), the gorgeous smelling , naturally crafted perfume oils from Swedish company Vilda vexter (pictured above) and Hand crafted wooden kitchen accessories from London based Forest and Found (pictured , below)....

The Future Kept's range of products focuses on creating a simpler life....where the quality of the product we surround ourselves with on a daily basis adds to our lives in a more meaningful way... Things that are lovingly made to last, and will not fuel the throwaway nature of the modern world.....Things that you are proud to own.... heirlooms of the future!

"Our primary goal with The Future Kept is to lead and inspire more people to think carefully about the items they have in their lives, by putting together a collection of best in class products all with a story to tell."*

With beautiful British handmade throws, (two pics above),vintage pottery (pictured above), eco friendly , washable paper storage bags (above and below) , hand printed bags by French artist Amelie Mancini (below)....

...recycled vintage china necklaces by British designer Stay Gold Mary Rose and quirkily pretty little limpit shell dishes made by Oxford based ceramist Katie Coston of Illyria Pottery (Both pictured, below) ...there is a unique gift for anyone available on The Future Kept website....

But the Future Kept is much more than just a quirky online shop...They promote the kind of slow paced life championed by the lifestyle magazines they stock, such as Kinfolk , focusing on life quality and enjoying each moment....

Image from A Future Kept on instagram

"Creating and seeking beautifully considered, functional items for others to enjoy is our passion, by sharing these items that we celebrate, we aim to connect and form relationships with like-minded folk, whilst having a positive impact on the environment.

We hope to inspire a curiosity and desire within people to make more sustainable and ethical choices. "*

Have a look at their gift collection for more inspiration for your Christmas gift shopping this year, and make this the Christmas where your gift choices really makes a difference!

*Extract from the Future Kept website

My Copenhagen Design hunters guide, Part 2

The history and legacy of Danish Design

It feels like light-years ago now, as I am back to normality and knee-deep in projects again, but a couple of weekends ago I treated myself to a research trip to the design capitol of the world, Copenhagen.

I wanted to find out why the Danish are so into interiors and design.

I had the BEST time, and have come home with my notebook full of inspiration and new found knowledge of design...for me ,anyway.

Not to mention some seriously design focused, credible must-visit shop-addresses.....and today I am sharing part 2 of My guide to shopping for design in Copenhagen.

In part one I shared my experience from visiting perhaps, the biggest and most known Modern Design and interior shops in Central Copenhagen...today I am delving a bit deeper into the history of Danish design and sharing pictures from 4 shops I visited that is continuing the Ethos and craftsmanship that was the driving force behind the Danish Modern golden era of design.

KLASSIK

Klassik Moderne Møbelkunst is Denmark’s leading specialty shop for used Danish furniture classics.

 They stock an impressive array of exclusive cabinetmaker furniture and high-quality mass-produced furniture, and  have a wide selection of furniture by the best Danish designers, such as  Poul Kjærholm, Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner  and Finn Juhl .

Situated at Bredgade 3, in central Copenhagen, the first thing that strikes you as you enter the shop is the vast array of classic Danish design lamps and lighting....

Here hangs original lamps by Serge Mouille and Louis Poulsen next to each other over vintage furniture with a price-tag to match the makers design pedigree...

Modern Danish design is perhaps best known for quality furniture craftsmanship coupled with careful research into materials, proportions and the functional requirements of the human body and daily life. The result being that Danish furniture stands the test of time, and the designs are equally applicable now as when they were first made, making the iconic pieces that inspires and influences current designers and makers to this day. The Klassik showroom is like a celebration of beautiful vintage furniture icons from the biggest names of the Modern Danish golden era of design.

 Their carefully selected and meticulously restored  classic Danish furniture shows respect for their history and craftsmanship, and is mirrored in the architecture of the showroom- building.

Alongside iconic furniture from the who's who of the height of the Danish Modern era, sits pieces from other world known mid century modern designers, such as Eames.

I also have to mention their large collection of paintings, watercolours and lithographic prints by renowned artists from Denmark and abroad from the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, such as the Georg Ernst painting, pictured above with the Ray and Charles Eames lounger.

There is no doubt that the Danish designers from this period was influenced by, or influencing, their American counterparts.

Klassik has them all...from the familiar and iconic Arne Jacobsen Egg chair to lesser known designs, like the the Scimitar Chair  by Preben Fabricius & Jørgen Kastholm, pictured above in front of that stunning oil on canvas by  William Scharff.

So if you ever find yourself strolling around in Copenhagen, maybe getting caught in the rain, like I did....pop into Klassik for a visual lesson in the premier of Danish Design.

Carl Hansen & Søn

Just a few doors down from Klassik, you can find the Carl Hansen & son flagship store.

Preserving the heritage of Danish craftsmanship , this family run business epitomizes the ethos of Danish design.

Carl Hansen & son is not just a shop, it's one of the most renowned furniture manufacturers in the world .

They produce some of the most iconic furniture designs in the world, signature pieces such as Hans J. Wegner's  shell chair, pictured below, or the CH88, above.

"Craftsmanship can be a lot of things. To us, it is everything and it has been so ever since 1908 when Carl Hansen founded his company in Odense, Denmark."

Wing chair by Hans J. Wegner

Most of the furniture they produce today was designed by leading Danish architects back in the 1930s and up to the 1960s, such as Hans J.Wegner and Kaare Klint, whose iconic lighting you can see pictured below:

In the flagship store the company showcases the Understated beauty and function of its signature pieces of exceptional quality by globally celebrated designers and cabinet makers.

Sustainable, timeless and beautiful carpentry, these masterpieces don't come cheap, but they speak of the heritage of Danish design. And Carl Hansen & son is a big part of preserving the danish passion of Craftsmanship and taking these historic designs into the future.

Stilleben

Stilleben is a small interior shop situated smack , bang in the center of Copenhagen.

Unlike  Klassik and Carl Hansen and son, this shop doesn't sell or make Danish Modern design classics, but is equally instrumental in promoting the quality of Danish design.

Their selective range focuses on smaller unique  productions and young, up-and-coming talents, makers and brands.

They sell design, ceramics, interior decor, jewelry and graphic prints by Danish and international designers, and has been mentioned in international press for being a must-see-destination for modern design and style. 

With such a reputation, they are at the forefront of showcasing future classics, such as the lamp, pictured above ,by

 Linholt studio.

Quality seems to be a key word when describing Danish design, and the owners of Stilleben,  Ditte Reckweg og Jelena Nordentoft, sets the benchmark when it comes to spotting new talent ...or even trends.

 

Danish design is not all chairs and furniture.

there is a rich heritage of Pottery making and ceramics, spearheaded by Royal Copenhagen, Stilleben is supporting the future of these traditional art-forms by stocking young, Danish ceramicists , like Ditte Fischer and Studio Arhoj, whose pretty and quirky sip-cups can be seen , below:

But they also stock international brands, like the french label paris au mois d'aout, whose lamp you can see, pictured below.

...Or these beautiful metallic boxes from japanese label Syuro 

Upstairs at Stilleben, there is an artgallery....

Stuffed full of one-off's, limited edition prints and posters by some of the most current Danish artists and graphic designers today...

In the picture ,above, you can see:
moon print by Anne Nowak ,
"Maze" litography print by  Vibeke Rohland and "Pear" print by Monika Petersen amongst others.The Mobile in the foreground is by Kasper Kjeldgaard.

I would wholeheartedly recommend that you visit Stilleben if you're ever in Copenhagen for a dose of eye-candy and inspiration.

For anyone interested in Interiors and design, both modern or vintage, Copenhagen is certainly one of those destinations that just keeps giving...
And I think one of the reasons why the Danish is so stylish when it comes to interiors and design, must be that it is such a big part of their heritage....
As a people of a nation, put on the world map by internationally acclaimed architects and designers , like Arne Jacobsen, it is, as they say, in their blood!

Next week I will be telling you all about my visit to one of the pillars of the Danish Modern design movement, Finn Juhl's house.
If you love the retro look, you really must not miss it!

I'll be back later this week with an update on my Spare bedroom makeover and a beautiful DIY light shade!

The perfect present...

A gift that keeps on giving!

So, with just over a week until Christmas , If you haven't, like me, already finished your Christmas shopping: IT'S TIME TO PANIC!!!

Right?? 

WRONG!!

I've come across this amazing new concept of gifting called

NOT ANOTHER BILL

And I felt obliged to tell you all about it!

If you have a person that is particularly difficult to buy for, someone with discerning tastes...maybe they've already got "everything"...or there is someone you feel deserves something extra special and you are struggling to find the right present, this could be the answer!!

NOT ANOTHER BILL was set up  3 years ago by Ned Corbett-Winder, a self confessed Art and design addict, on the founding idea that:

"No-one gets anything good in the post anymore apart from bills and a few pizza menus. So in exchange for a fee, he’d send subscribers a surprise interesting package once a month to make them smile and brighten up their mailbox."

For Mr. Corbett-Winder this is all about curating, discovery and appreciation of craft and design...

...this benefits the subscribers by helping them discover great artists, designers and brands!!

So basically NOT ANOTHER BILL collaborate with up-and-coming and established brands, that you will not find on the high street, to create a monthly surprise package that will be delivered, beautifully wrapped and with a letter explaining the collaboration to the lucky recipient!

"Each month we work with a handful of exciting brands to bring the subscribers something exclusive and unique"

necklace from tatty devine

"You simply sign them up online, telling us about what type and style of presents they’d like to receive (as well as what their address is). Then each month we’ll send them a surprise present to match. What’s more, you can also add a personalized message to accompany the gift."

There are 12 categories of present types, and you can tick as many as you feel would be fitting for the person you are buying for, then NAB will send out a "collaboration" gift that most suits..

(If it doesn't, it can be returned for an exchange)

You choose how long a subscription you want to give: Prizes start at £24 for a single surprise present, £69 for 3 monthly surprises , £129 for 6 months and £229 for a year.

The way they work with brands means that you or the lucky recipient can expect to receive goods worth more than the subscription fee!

What's more: They ship world wide, so this would be perfect if you have family abroad, and there is no hidden postage and packaging charges!!

You can read more about how it works here!

Enamel "splatter" mugs

SO WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM THE GIFTS??

What really made me sit up and take notice of NOT ANOTHER BILL was the quality of the gifts offered! It changes each month, but with previous collaborations with brands like TOM DIXON, FERM LIVING, HOUSE DOCTOR and FALCON ENAMEL, as well as unusual and unique gifts from lesser known, up-and-coming brands and designers/makers , the standard is set very high!!

brass letter holders from ferm living

Ned Corbett-Winder's background in design is evident in his choice of collaborations ...and what particularly appeals to me is that he has his finger on the pulse regarding all things design and his obvious love affair with contemporary Scandinavian design

There is something for everyone to like! Well, maybe not for the chintzy grandma with a penchant for doilies and porcelain dogs, but most certainly for anyone remotely interested in design:
It is not just a gift (or 3...or 6...or 12!!) It is an introduction to the world of design and beauty!!
Plant mister

From the useful for the gardener...

Papero space shuttle paper building set

Something fun for him...

Copper candlestand

...Something Luxurious for the home

HAM bouncing rabbit prints

Something cool for the kids...

Italian Lunch bag

Something for grandad to keep his lunch in...

Hexagon necklace

Jewelry for her...

Bohemia scarf

Or a cool scarf for mum....

The fun thing is, that you never know what's going to pop into the letterbox next...just make sure you select the right preferences to avoid disappointment.

If you would like to give an actual physical gift to someone, so they've got something under the tree, before the subscriptions start, there is also the option of The deluxe subscription gift box, where the recipient will get a welcome pack with a brass gift token and gift code, so that they can select their own preferences on the website. Order before the 21st December to get delivery in time for Christmas!

.

There is even a specific guide to create a personal Christmas subscription, and if you are still unsure of the whole gift subscription thing, you can always visit their shop for an extensive range of gifts that you would not find on the high street....even if it is for yourself!!:)

This one's high on my wish list:

Copper mirror from House Doctor

Ps! Who says it's gotta be a gift to someone else?? Why not put in a subscription for yourself, and receive a little surprise in the post every month....NOT JUST ANOTHER BILL!!