Wallpaper* Handmade X

When handed the theme of love to chew on, team Ostens, with the help of perfumer Juliette Karagueuzoglou, chose to develop a scent that evokes the warm embrace of family. Orange flower and dulce de leche notes combine to form a comforting, nostalgic scent, called Impression Orange Flower Absolute. Ilaria Bianchi evolved the idea of childhood nostalgia further by introducing to the project a series of diffusing devices made from brass and porous marble that evoke nursery mobiles and balancing toys. Exercised by the notion that all the senses, not just smell, are nurtured in childhood, Ostens and Bianchi worked together to make the dffusers objects of beauty and instruments of learning. The marble inlays, executed by Il Marmo’s artisans, depict the botanical elements of the scent.

When handed the theme of love to chew on, team Ostens, with the help of perfumer Juliette Karagueuzoglou, chose to develop a scent that evokes the warm embrace of family. Orange flower and dulce de leche notes combine to form a comforting, nostalgic scent, called Impression Orange Flower Absolute. Ilaria Bianchi evolved the idea of childhood nostalgia further by introducing to the project a series of diffusing devices made from brass and porous marble that evoke nursery mobiles and balancing toys. Exercised by the notion that all the senses, not just smell, are nurtured in childhood, Ostens and Bianchi worked together to make the dffusers objects of beauty and instruments of learning. The marble inlays, executed by Il Marmo’s artisans, depict the botanical elements of the scent.

Inspired by the simplicity of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, this series of vases represents three stages of falling in love, kissing, touching and lovemaking. Pete Pongsak’s design explores the ephemeral nature of these acts with two forms that gently lock together through their own weight. The idea stems from a painted Peruvian ceramic jar, part of the British Museum’s collection, that shows two figures locked in an embrace. Each of Pongsak’s vases is made of two materials, American walnut and emerald onyx, chosen with the help of Espasso. The wood was selected for its strong grain, in order to complement the decorative pattern of the stone. The vases’ sculptural forms take their cues from architectural elements, such as columns, archways and steps.

Inspired by the simplicity of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, this series of vases represents three stages of falling in love, kissing, touching and lovemaking. Pete Pongsak’s design explores the ephemeral nature of these acts with two forms that gently lock together through their own weight. The idea stems from a painted Peruvian ceramic jar, part of the British Museum’s collection, that shows two figures locked in an embrace. Each of Pongsak’s vases is made of two materials, American walnut and emerald onyx, chosen with the help of Espasso. The wood was selected for its strong grain, in order to complement the decorative pattern of the stone. The vases’ sculptural forms take their cues from architectural elements, such as columns, archways and steps.

These beautifully crafted ducks were inspired by the Korean tradition of gifting newlyweds a pair of wooden waterbirds to symbolise their nuptials. With the help of the Bottega Ghianda craftsmen, Lars Beller Fjetland has carved, shaped and polished his own flock of (featherless) friends, creating a design that has more to it than first meets the eye. Each features a secret compartment for concealing a single wooden ring. While one duck is made from maple, two have been produced from amaranth – a species of wood also known as purpleheart, which gradually changes colour with the passing of time.

Drawing on Korea’s 2,000-year heritage in garden design – which combines symbols and influences from different Asian traditions into landscapes that celebrate life and the beauty of nature – Teo Yang Studio has created a trio of birdbaths (the number three being a powerful symbol in Korean culture). Titled Forgiveness, Generosity and Kindness, the sculptural pieces were expertly produced by Spanish terrazzo and cement surface company Huguet using its Banyalbufar Terrazzo and Cuino Mallorca ranges.

Drawing on Korea’s 2,000-year heritage in garden design – which combines symbols and influences from different Asian traditions into landscapes that celebrate life and the beauty of nature – Teo Yang Studio has created a trio of birdbaths (the number three being a powerful symbol in Korean culture). Titled Forgiveness, Generosity and Kindness, the sculptural pieces were expertly produced by Spanish terrazzo and cement surface company Huguet using its Banyalbufar Terrazzo and Cuino Mallorca ranges.

An exuberant love scene in miniature scale is deployed all around the curved forms of these vessels crafted by Czech crystal maker Rückl in collaboration with artist Marine Julié. Reminiscent of primitive forms, hybrid figures entangle with one another in what Julié calls a ‘farandole of bisexual beings’. The artist hand-sketched the scroll-like scene, with no beginning or end, directly onto the vessels and it was then hand-etched into the crystal by a Rückl master craftsman.

Receiving a handwritten letter in the post can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. In a world of instant communication via text and email, the process of opening an envelope offers an almost ritualistic experience. Blenheim Forge has crafted this love letter opener to add to the joy, with a double-edged blade for ease and efficiency, and a tactile handle, thanks to textural engravings from London-based jeweller Castro Smith.

‘Door handles are a bit of an obsession in architecture circles,’ say Jonathan and Militza Ashmore of Dubai- and London-based practice Anarchitect. ‘They are a nostalgic symbol of our most precious commodity – privacy.’ Playing up to this infatuation, the practice dreamt up its own ideal range of levers and knobs – each covered in a layer of foam and soft leather to ensure a tactile experience, which they liken to holding the hand of a loved one.

‘Door handles are a bit of an obsession in architecture circles,’ say Jonathan and Militza Ashmore of Dubai- and London-based practice Anarchitect. ‘They are a nostalgic symbol of our most precious commodity – privacy.’ Playing up to this infatuation, the practice dreamt up its own ideal range of levers and knobs – each covered in a layer of foam and soft leather to ensure a tactile experience, which they liken to holding the hand of a loved one.

Although their sleek appearance owes much to the curves and shine of art deco style, the function of these table lamps is actually inspired by a much earlier movement, chromotherapy. This belief in the healing powers of colour and light dates back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used sunlight, coloured stones and dyes as remedies. Similarly, these modular ‘Chromo’ table lamps can be mixed and matched, creating various coloured lights to help us get through dark winters. Comprised of a central metal shape, a large coloured glass piece and a set of curved glass pipes, the modular lamps have two light sources: a neon tube hidden at their centre and a set of LED lights at the base of the glass pipes. Depending on which way around the reversible lamps are placed, they project...

Although their sleek appearance owes much to the curves and shine of art deco style, the function of these table lamps is actually inspired by a much earlier movement, chromotherapy. This belief in the healing powers of colour and light dates back to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, who used sunlight, coloured stones and dyes as remedies. Similarly, these modular ‘Chromo’ table lamps can be mixed and matched, creating various coloured lights to help us get through dark winters. Comprised of a central metal shape, a large coloured glass piece and a set of curved glass pipes, the modular lamps have two light sources: a neon tube hidden at their centre and a set of LED lights at the base of the glass pipes. Depending on which way around the reversible lamps are placed, they project...

Zoë Mowat’s anti-stress objects include foot massagers that rock to provide release for weary soles, and multi-textured cubes that offer nervous hands a sense of ease and which can be used to relieve tension around the body. Casone’s calming (and harmless to superheroes) green Kryptonite granite and white Carrara marble provide a sense of luxury.

Zoë Mowat’s anti-stress objects include foot massagers that rock to provide release for weary soles, and multi-textured cubes that offer nervous hands a sense of ease and which can be used to relieve tension around the body. Casone’s calming (and harmless to superheroes) green Kryptonite granite and white Carrara marble provide a sense of luxury.

Zoë Mowat’s anti-stress objects include foot massagers that rock to provide release for weary soles, and multi-textured cubes that offer nervous hands a sense of ease and which can be used to relieve tension around the body. Casone’s calming (and harmless to superheroes) green Kryptonite granite and white Carrara marble provide a sense of luxury.

Inspired by the works of Aldo Rossi and Giorgio de Chirico, Davide G Aquini’s gym equipment in curved stone and dark steel features a featherweight kettlebell, lightweight and middleweight dumbbells, and a heavyweight barbell. Their art deco-influenced design is elevated by the colours of Lundhs’ elegantly polished stones, while their heft and sculptural form mean they can also be used as paperweights, doorstops, vases and bookends.

Inspired by the works of Aldo Rossi and Giorgio de Chirico, Davide G Aquini’s gym equipment in curved stone and dark steel features a featherweight kettlebell, lightweight and middleweight dumbbells, and a heavyweight barbell. Their art deco-influenced design is elevated by the colours of Lundhs’ elegantly polished stones, while their heft and sculptural form mean they can also be used as paperweights, doorstops, vases and bookends.

Supplement-taking has become a daily routine for many, so Alexander Purcell Rodrigues decided to elevate the mundane habit with some ritual-worthy kit. To give his concept the gravitas it deserves, he collaborated with two respected Slovenian companies, stone specialist Marmor Hotavlje and artisanal blacksmith Kovacija Krmelj, to create a grey marble fluted tray, and a pair of cups, saucers and steel serving tongs

‘Hydration is the foundation of wellbeing,’ says designer Corinna Warm, who has elevated a simple daily gesture into a moment to be cherished by creating a cut-crystal water bottle. ‘Such a vessel is typically used to decant champagne and high-value spirits,’ she says, ‘but safe drinking water is the most precious thing we can consume.’

‘Hydration is the foundation of wellbeing,’ says designer Corinna Warm, who has elevated a simple daily gesture into a moment to be cherished by creating a cut-crystal water bottle. ‘Such a vessel is typically used to decant champagne and high-value spirits,’ she says, ‘but safe drinking water is the most precious thing we can consume.’

Looking to Japanese functionality as a source of inspiration, Italian designer Pietro Russo's 'Wabi Sabi' spoon for Ichendorf combines practicality with exquisitely crafted brassware. Cut from silver-plated brass, the shape of the spoon — created for Wallpaper* Handmade 2017 — was inspired by that of a leaf, and will elevate even the most informal tea-making process into a ceremonial affair.

Looking to Japanese functionality as a source of inspiration, Italian designer Pietro Russo's set of six 'Wabi Sabi' low teacups for Ichendorf combines practicality with cutting-edge hand-blown glassware. Cut from high quality borosilicate glass using lampworking technique, these teacups — created for Wallpaper* Handmade 2017 — play with a flattened dome silhouette, and will elevate even the most informal tea-making process into a ceremonial affair.

Looking to Japanese functionality as a source of inspiration, Italian designer Pietro Russo's set of six 'Wabi Sabi' high teacups for Ichendorf combines practicality with cutting-edge hand-blown glassware. Cut from high quality borosilicate glass using lampworking technique, these teacups — created for Wallpaper* Handmade 2017 — play with a flattened dome silhouette, and will elevate even the most informal tea-making process into a ceremonial affair.

Looking to Japanese functionality as a source of inspiration, Italian designer Pietro Russo's 'Wabi Sabi' tea pot for Ichendorf combines practicality with cutting-edge hand-blown glassware. Cut from high quality borosilicate glass using lampworking technique, this pot — created for Wallpaper* Handmade 2017 — plays with a flattened dome silhouette, and will elevate even the most informal tea-making process into a ceremonial affair.

In our busy modern lives, there is rarely time for meditation. Happily, Studiopepe and Agape have helped us integrate the concept into our domestic interiors with this multifaceted table that features a natural tabletop of Nero Marquina marble. Three brass legs, one of which also serves as a vase, complete the piece.

Regarded as a potent symbol of divinity, the signet ring carries a talismanic charge, delivering its message by way of an emblematic seal. To make a suitably mighty mark on this year’s spiritually elevating Handmade, we worked with signet-ring maker Rebus to create our own. The seal itself was specially designed for us back in 2011 by illustrator Kam Tang and graphic designer Darren Wall, for that year’s Wallpaper* Handmade exhibition and special issue. Having painstakingly engraved the seal from a wax imprint, Rebus took a symbolic approach to the 9ct-gold jewel’s ample form: ‘The two triangular cut-out sections echo the negative space in the Wallpaper* W,’ says Rebus’ director and master engraver Emmet Smith. ‘The ring’s inner curve is enamelled in white, which alludes to the interior...

With his Ritual Calendar, Ini Archibong seeks to celebrate daily routines. His freestanding monolithic sculpture, carved from Absolute Black granite, is inspired by dolmens, altars and tribal artifacts. Produced by marble specialist Testi, the vessel holds 31 individual totems, finely crafted from Creole Beige marble and designed to fit into a pocket and be pleasing to touch. Every day of the month, a new totem is taken out of the calendar and carried in a pocket for the day, before being put back in place at night: a welcome reminder throughout the day to remain mindful. ‘Daily habits are rituals, almost like prayers to the gods of your choosing,’ says Archibong. ‘Some of these habits can be reinforced by added mindfulness, and by creating a means to facilitate this mindfulness, rituals...

Giant’s Causeway, a series of interlocking basalt columns at the periphery of Northern Ireland, was allegedly built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill in an attempt to bridge the channel to Scotland. Inspired by this folk legend, Martin Brudnizki designed a series of candleholders formed of polygonal columns in varied heights. Created in differing materials, they represent stages of the manufacturing process: tulipwood is used to create an initial mould, in which one pours melted wax. The wax is then wrapped in ceramic and baked in a furnace, where it melts to leave a hole to hold molten bronze. Once the ceramic is smashed, the unfinished bronze candleholder is polished and patinated. A candleholder finished in black nickel completes the set.

Giant’s Causeway, a series of interlocking basalt columns at the periphery of Northern Ireland, was allegedly built by the Irish giant Fionn mac Cumhaill in an attempt to bridge the channel to Scotland. Inspired by this folk legend, Martin Brudnizki designed a series of candleholders formed of polygonal columns in varied heights. Created in differing materials, they represent stages of the manufacturing process: tulipwood is used to create an initial mould, in which one pours melted wax. The wax is then wrapped in ceramic and baked in a furnace, where it melts to leave a hole to hold molten bronze. Once the ceramic is smashed, the unfinished bronze candleholder is polished and patinated. A candleholder finished in black nickel completes the set.