Design: Top 20 / Global
Inner sanctum
As we sink into cosy armchairs, switch on lamps and rethink our work set-ups, we pick out the latest pieces that promise comfort and warmth.
Group armchair
SCP, UK
Part of British-Canadian designer Philippe Malouin’s Group collection, the circular armchair has a plump seat, which offers depth and comfort. It comes with either a fixed or swivel base and in a range of colourful fabrics that are made in SCP’s specialist upholstery factory in Norfolk.
scp.co.uk
Tradition pendant light
Northern, Norway
A clean and minimalist lighting solution from Norwegian furniture firm Northern will provide the perfect warm tone for your home this winter. The finely knitted pendant, which comes in three different sizes, is designed by Oslo firm Morten & Jonas.
northern.no
Cesta exterior lamp
Santa & Cole, Spain
Spanish industrial designer Miguel Milá first crafted his Cesta lamp in 1962. Its original timber build nodded to Japanese lanterns but it can now be enjoyed outdoors thanks to an aluminium version in black or olive green, with a waterproof polyethylene shade.
santacole.com
Re-Rug
Nanimarquina, Spain
Made from surplus wool, these rugs are crafted using a hand-loomed dhurrie technique. The mix of dyed virgin wool and recycled yarn gives them a distinctive, marbled pattern that beautifully shows off the tonal richness of the wool.
nanimarquina.com
From left to right
En chair
Cecilie Manz for Maruni, Japan
For her first collection for Maruni, Danish designer Cecilie Manz has fashioned a chair (and matching table) in maple. Looping leg frames and chamfered details give the chair a structured yet soft look, while the textile and leather used on the seat add warmth to the Japan-made piece.
maruni.com
Kawara armchair
Koyori, Japan
French design duo Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec have created this moulded plywood armchair for Japanese furniture brand Koyori, which exemplifies simplicity and comfort. Its gentle curves and slightly angled backrest make it a warm and inviting perch.
koyori-jp.com
Med chair
Acerbis, Italy
The Med, hailing from the archives of Bergamo maker Acerbis, has been reissued in solid walnut or black-stained ash. Its proportions may be roomier now but its legs still nod to New York’s Flatiron Building, while the seat and plywood backrest come upholstered in fabric or leather.
acerbisdesign.com
Plan chair
Fredericia, Denmark
At first glance, the Plan chair seems simplicity itself but a closer look reveals its generosity of design and subtle detailing. Made with a focus on sustainability, the chair has a recyclable tubular steel frame, which comes in either black, brushed chrome, green or burgundy finishes. The chair, courtesy of London’s Barber and Osgerby, can be paired with an upholstered seat and backrest or, for a stripped-back look, a seat made from veneered plywood.
fredericia.com
Cordoba armchair
B&B Italia, Italy
The ergonomics of the timber-framed Cordoba chair have been finely tuned to support its roomy leather harness. The material, smooth or embossed, is tensioned so as to actively invite lounging, whether you are reading a book in the living room or sipping a glass of wine on the balcony.
bebitalia.com
Raiz table lamp
Ames, Germany
The handmade, cone-shaped ceramic lampshades from StudioIlse draw upon age-old Colombian craftsmanship. The shade’s inner glaze catches the light beautifully, shimmering in either white or black. The lamps also feature elements made from the fibres of the Iraca palm.
amesliving.de
Sandia armchair and ottoman
Fendi Casa, Italy
In a departure from more formal and structured silhouettes, Milan-based Parisian designer Toan Nguyen has crafted an organic, pebble-like armchair and matching ottoman, which come in a range of luxury Fendi fabrics. They are both intimate and invitingly plump, a deliberate response, says the designer, to our search for rest and recuperation.
fendicasa.com
Side table
SCP, Netherlands
The designer’s pieces begin as a chunk of clay, which is then cut and shaped as he sees fit. Released during London Design Week, this warm-toned side table is equal parts sculptural and functional.
scp.co.uk
From left to right
Stonehenge stool
Zanat, Bosnia
rounded stool, designed by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba, is refined and sculptural yet warm and tactile. With a choice of black-stained cherry or walnut, the stool answers our fundamental need for comfort.
zanat.org
Cable shop stools
Jan Hendzel Studio,UK
Good design and diy go hand in hand in this project from London’s Jan Hendzel Studio. Its neat and sturdy three-leg stools – available in two sizes – comes as a make-at-home kit, having been created in its workshop, flat-packed and distributed across the world. No knowledge of woodworking is needed to assemble the pieces, which form a stool you’ll not want to pack away again.
janhendzel.com
Left/right side tables
Ishinomaki Laboratory, Japan
Designed by StudioIlse, these cheerful side tables celebrate the artistry of Japanese joinery. The tops are made from two pieces of overlapping walnut that interlock with the base. They also feature Ishinomaki Laboratory’s signature black screws and are ideal for smaller spaces.
ishinomaki-lab.org
150 office chair
Giroflex, Switzerland
The Giroflex 150 chair is a collaboration between Swiss firm Giroflex, Japanese woodworking specialists Karimoku New Standard and Lausanne-based studio Big-Game. Despite being made almost entirely from oak, its articulated seat and backrest built on a flexible steel structure effortlessly accommodate its users changing posture throughout the day.
giroflex.com
FH3605 desk
Fritz Hansen, Denmark
To mark Fritz Hansen’s 150th anniversary, thecompany has been rereleasing its greatest hits. The latest is Arne Jacobsen’s FH3605 desk, now with two new tabletop options: walnut veneer or black stained ash. The table is functional and elegant, with a document drawer added for extra storage.
fritzhansen.com
Anagram table lamp
Hay, Denmark
The curved glossy shade of this lamp by UK designer Sam Weller sits on top of two split anodised aluminium legs. These contrasting elements are an original and contemporary take on a typical table lamp – its ambient downlight makes it equally at home on your desk as on a sideboard or shelf.
hay.dk
OE1 Trolley
Herman Miller, USA
London design studio Industrial Facility has worked closely with Herman Miller to launch a series of products to make the office a more enjoyable and productive place. Our pick of the bunch is this smart trolley, which fits snugly under a desk but is also very handsome when out on display.
hermanmiller.com