Features: November '11
Interview with Tom Faulkner
We talk to contemporary furniture designer Tom Faulkner.
We recently caught up with Tom Faulkner, a designer of contemporary handmade custom furniture, who is based between Chelsea and Swindon. Tom started working in steel in the early nineties, producing original pieces of distinctive metal furniture. Creative metalwork is still a distinctive feature in Tom’s designs today, coupled with a strong focus on simplicity of line and proportion. We love the meticulous workmanship and attention to detail of Tom Faulkner designs, so we grilled Tom to find out more about the creative processes of his design team and what we can expect from his studio in the future.
How would you describe Tom Faulkner designs in three words?
Distinctive, Elegant, Simple.
Do you have an all time favourite designer or design?
Brno chair by Mies van der Rohe is one of my favourites.
What does a typical day in the studio involve?
I divide my time between the showroom, the workshop and my home. The showroom is our office so I’m often doing business things there or meeting clients etc. I design at home and in the workshop, generally doing drawings and CAD work at home, and working with prototypes and any commissions we might be working in the workshop. If I’m working on a new design I always like to draw the elevations at life size, and then I’ll transfer it to the computer or I’ll get the guys in the workshop to do a rough mock and we’ll take it from there. A lot of the design comes in the making I find.
Since you first began working in steel in the early nineties have you undertaken any ambitious bespoke projects, if so what did they involve?
We do all sorts of things, but try not to wander too far off piste! We recently made a 4m Capricorn table for some Russian clients. It had a twin pedestal base, in hand polished stainless steel, which was quite a challenge.
What has been the bestselling design at Tom Faulkner, and why do you think this is?
Our Capricorn dining table is our best seller. It is extremely unusual and very striking, it’s very simple (although not to make!). It has classical lines and proportions and yet it is still contemporary. In polished stainless steel it is a real work of art! It is the design we are best known for, and it seems to always deliver.
What can we expect to see from Tom Faulkner in the near future?
We are adding a lot of wood and marble to our collection (in terms of table tops). We are also adding lots of new finishes to the metalwork.
Quick Shop: Chaise Longue
Luxuriate and relax in style this winter with a sleek and trendy Chaise Longue
As the winter is approaching in all its cold misery, we all look for home comforts to get cosy and relax in and what better way then to indulge this season in a luxuriously comforting Chaise Longue.
Cosy up in the lavishly chic Deauville Velvet Silver Chaise Longue, with its soft velvet texture, it will make the coldest of homes toasty. Or if your looking for a real style statement to brighten up your home, opt for the gorgeously contemporary Lime/Pink Stripe Chaise, with its unusual curvaceous shape and rich tonal stripes it’s guaranteed to bring effortless style to your home.
Ritz Lime/Pink Stripe Chaise, £1,404, from The Pole House, Deauville Velvet Silver Chaise Lounge, £425, from The Lover’s Lounge, Eichholtz Chaise Lounge Grey Linen, £1,140.50, from Occa Home, Carmen White Chaise Lounge, £1,959, from Fashion For Home, Corbusier Cow Hide Chaise Lounge, £1,215, from The Pole House, Stone Striped Chaise Lounge, £1,103, from Sweetpea and Willow.
Shop The Trend: Animal Prints
Take a walk on the wild side this season with the sassy trend of Animal Print
Ranging from leopard print footstools to cow hide magazine racks, the ever-growing stylish trend of animal print is guaranteed to bring a splash of glamour and animalistic playfulness to the most polished of homes.
This sassy trend work well by adding small key pieces into a space to allow a great mix of texture and warmth. The Union Jack Square Leopard Print Cushion proves a perfect statement piece and will add a splash of classy glamour to any home. Or if your looking to fully embrace the saucy trend, opting for large oversized pieces such as the Tricolour Cowhide rug will work perfectly on any flooring, to create depth and warmth within your home.
Leopard Print Footstool, £445, from London Cows, Zebra Throw, £185.50, from Occa Home, Jan Constantine Union Jack Square Leopard Print, £82, from Occa Home, Tricolour Cowhide, £295, from The French Bedroom Company, Cowhide Magazine Holder, £79, from London Cows, Flora Cow Skin Coffee Table, £395, from Graham & Green.
Interview with Rockett St George
We find out what’s in store for the coming months at Rockett St George
Rockett St George is a fabulous décor brand, established in 2006, which offers a wonderfully eclectic mix of contemporary homeware and gifts. Known for their endlessly appealing range of items that are both beautiful and useful, there is truly something for every room of the house. We caught up with the ladies behind the brand, Jane and Lucy, to find out what we can expect from Rockett St George in the coming months.
How would you describe Rockett St George in three words?
Unique, useful, beautiful.
Do you have an all time favourite designer or design?
Mother nature has to win hands down and the Shell is by far our favourite design (or maybe the feather!).
How was the company founded?
We both love car boot sales. It is the perfect learning ground to find great products within a sea of other stuff. As fellow booters we began to sell what we bought. We then realised that we made a great team and decided to start rockettstgeorge.co.uk in 2006.
How are pieces sourced for Rockett St George?
We find our products in all sorts of places. We do go to show and exhibitions in the UK and across Europe. We also go to antique fairs, craft fairs and open studios. We are also approached by lots of designers, which we love.
Has there been a bestselling piece at Rockett St George, and why do you think this is?
Probably the best seller of all time has to be the Set of 6 Butterfly Prints. They are a classic image, pretty and affordable. The perfect combination!
What is your favourite piece?
Jane: mine changes all the time. I am very fickle and tend to love whatever is new.
Lucy: I love the birdcage memo board. It is beautiful, timeless and very useful.
What can we expect to see from Rockett St George in the near future?
We have just sourced the most fabulous wall/door covering which will transform a boring door to a gorgeous french design. Very exciting!
Quick Shop: Umbrella Stands
Store your umbrella in style this autumn in a trendy, chic umbrella stand
With the temperamental weather upon us, there is an easy solution to store your umbrellas and keep the entrance to your house looking proud, welcoming and most vitally – de cluttered!
Using an umbrella stand is a wonderfully stylish way to free up space and can make for a great style piece within your home. Whether your look is daring and bold or clean and simple, there are many styles to suit all homes and to suit a whole host of umbrellas!
Magis Goccia Umbrella Stand, £82.80, from A White Room, Ratton Square Umbrella Stand, £70, from The Holding Company, Kartell Gino Umbrella Stand Transparent Red, £84, from Heal’s, Lack Atico Umbrella Stand, £125, from John Lewis, Union Jack Umbrella Stand, £69, from Sweetpea and Willow, Classico Umbrella Stand, £64, from Metal Design Furniture.
