New and Noted

While the TDC Blog has been quiet since the latter part of 2024, as I’ve been fully immersed in styling, design, and writing projects, January, as always, brings an exciting array of design news—and I can’t let the month slip away without sharing some inspiring new projects and products that have landed in my inbox.

&Tradition Opens a New Showroom in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, France

Located in Villeneuve-lès-Avignons, in the southern region of France, the new &Tradition showroom is located within a former papal residence dating back to the 16th century. Embracing the history and heritage of the building, whose architectural characteristics reflect those seen throughout the medieval town that surrounds it, &Tradition have taken care to preserve and restore original features, establishing a considered setting in which to showcase their timeless collection.

Providing a comprehensive overview of &Tradition designs from a variety of international creatives, both contemporary and classic, the space offers a curated experience of &Tradition's collection of furniture, lighting and accessories. With an emphasis on classic designs and outdoor furniture, the collection on display has also been selected for its relevance to the local market.

&Tradition Avignon showroom

14 Place de l'Oratoire, 30400 Villeneuve-lès-Avignon, France

Coco Flip Launches new Lighting Collection, Dancer 

Dancer is a new collection of lighting designed by Coco Flip in collaboration with Melbourne-based ceramicist Belinda Wiltshire. Belinda’s refined artistry and bold use of black iron oxide led the design process towards a collection of striking and distinct pieces including table lamps, wall lights and ceiling mounts.

Dancer takes inspiration from the Rriadisches Ballet developed by Oskar Schlemmer, who was part of the Bauhaus design movement in 1920s Germany. The ballet used fantastical costumes and strong geometry to transform the dancers and emphasise their movements. Each dancer piece aims to echo a sense of movement through form and pattern, bringing a strong and character-filled aesthetic to an otherwise minimalist light.

Belinda works from her pottery studio in Preston where each piece is wheel-thrown, hand-finished and fired. Dancer is crafted using mid-fire clay and brushed with black iron oxide, providing a striking contrast against the warm brown clay. Each lamp is offered in three striped finishes—wide, thin, and spaced. Table lamps are available in any combination of these finishes.

Images 1-4: Styling by Jess Lilico / Photography by Tom Ross

Image 5: Styling by Marsha Golemac / Photography by Pier Carthew

Ground Collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen

Inspired by the textures and colours found in the natural world, the new Ground collection by Norm Architects and Massimo Copenhagen seeks to evoke a profound sense of home and belonging—serving as a tribute to simplicity and tranquility, seamlessly merging understated beauty with exceptional craftsmanship. Drawing from these earthy tones and subtle hues reminiscent of diverse landscapes, the collection transforms interiors into inviting and harmonious sanctuaries, and with a focus on tactile comfort and enduring quality, the rugs are designed to anchor spaces in calmness and warmth, creating a sensory experience that resonates on every level.

The humble rug is designed to feel at home wherever it is placed. It doesn't demand attention but rather sits comfortably within the space, serving as a foundational element that ties everything together. Ultimately, the aim of the collection is to offer a design element that not only enhances the visual appeal of a room but also contributes to a sense of balance and harmony within the interior environment, where the presence of nature is palpable and fosters a deeper sense of connection and well-being.

Photography by Irina Boersma

Dinesen Country Home Has Been Reimagined By Copenhagen Design Duo Mentze Ottenstein

Dinesen, Denmark’s foremost manufacturer of high-end wooden flooring, and five-generation family company, has crafted high-quality wood solutions since 1896. Their former family house, Dinesen Country Home, is located near the company's manufacturing facilities in Jels, Denmark, and has been an integral part of the Dinesen legacy since 2004 when the family acquired the estate. Recently, the residence underwent a thoughtful renovation by Copenhagen-based architecture and design studio Mentze Ottenstein, signalling a new chapter in the history of the estate and its role in the company.

Built in 1885, the residence is a traditional southern Jutland longhouse with a thatched roof, nestled amid lush green forestry, meadows, and lakes. As a place steeped in the Dinesen family’s history, the home is a living testament to the values and craftsmanship that define the company and the family behind it. While the original framework carried out by Overby was still sound, Mentze Ottenstein reviewed all surfaces and material compositions, introducing a fresh take on colour and working thoroughly with detailing to create a more harmonious experience. The Garde Hvalsøe kitchen features handcrafted cabinets have been painted an eye-catching shade of green as a nod to its countryside location. Elsewhere, a series of hand-turned ceramic bowls from Georgia sit comfortably alongside new walnut and pear kitchen handles. Further colour can be seen in the aisles and small chambers on the first floor, painted in golden ochre, creating a warm and intimate experience.

Fittingly, wood still takes centre stage as the central material palette within the house. The architectural Pawson Furniture Collection by John Pawson for Dinesen in Douglas fir, released earlier this year, sits elegantly next to antique furniture and a series of bespoke new furniture pieces designed by Mentze Ottenstein. These pieces have been made of ash with an oil finish resembling amber and a grain pattern reminiscent of black elm. In addition, deeper-toned wood selections such as walnut and pear are represented, for instance, in frames by Cassetta, which offers a flattering contrast to the light Douglas floors.

The house is designed to evoke a sense of home rather than a showroom while showcasing the stories of numerous exciting collaborations throughout the years. Primarily reserved for Dinesen's friends, design clients and relations to enjoy its breathtaking surroundings and inviting interiors, the house may also later be available for public booking on select dates.

Photography by Monica Grue Steffensen

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Città Introduces New Capsule Collections for 2022

Taking a step back from the traditional seasonal approach to provide more time to deliver lasting products, New Zealand design company Città has released two capsule collections for 2022, with more to follow. Curated to live well beyond the current season, the first two collections, Capsule One and Two see an expansion to their much-loved textiles range, along with thoughtfully designed objects to enrich interior spaces, hand-sculptured pieces in marble, a new table series influenced by Japanese design, and more. I’ve picked out some highlights...

The Tatamu Tables are designed inhouse by David Moreland and Nikolai Sorensen. Despite their robust, solid oak construction, they are aesthetically light and elegant thanks to a design influenced by the oblique forms of origami structures. Aptly, the name Tatamu comes from the Japanese word meaning ‘to fold’ and the tables feature V-shaped legs that are visually reminiscent of folded pieces of paper. A silhouette that is tall and thin from one profile, and broad and flat from the other, the tables offer unique perspectives when viewed from different angles. Made from 100% solid American white oak, the collection includes a dining table in three sizes and a coffee table, all in a choice of natural or smoked oak finish.

Capsule One invites a playful palette and texture to the kitchen and bathroom with nostalgic woven plaid patterned tea towels and beautifully textured waffle towels. 

“We have been loving working with waffle weaves lately,” says Imogen, Città’s Head of Textile Design. “The intricate woven structure works to soften bold colour combinations whilst also adding depth and texture.”

The new collection includes beautifully sleek and minimally designed Salt and Pepper Grinders made from solid aluminium with a matte finish. Designed to enhance the kitchen and dinner table, the grinders feature a durable ceramic grinding mechanism that can be adjusted to grind finely or coarsely, while the orientation of the mill is designed to keep salt from spilling on your tabletop.

In addition to the grinders, Nikolai Sorensen and David Moreland have designed the Geo series consisting of hand-sculpted marble objects. Ideal for use as bookends, the pieces include a sphere, cone and wedge and can also be displayed on their own to add a sculptural touch to any space. Available in two earthy colours, the complex tones are reminiscent of the rich forest floor, as seen from above.

Città's talented inhouse textile designers Imogen Tunnicliffe and Sophie Clapson have expanded on Città's range of cushions and throws with cosy and tactile pieces in pure wool. I love the Hutt Wool Throw and Boucle Cushion Cover.  

A selection of new designs is now available in Città retail stores and online at www.cittadesign.com, with more products from the Capsule Collections arriving over the coming weeks. To stay in the loop subscribe to the e-newsletter and follow Città on social. 

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New and Noted

Sculptural design elements run through today's collection of design news. Paris-based interior architect and designer Emmanuelle Simon has launched Ary, a new furniture collection comprising wall-mounted consoles, a coffee table, desk and bench, sideboards and bedside tables. All sculptural in form with wavy curves, the unique pieces are handcrafted in France and feature fluted oak detailing with burl oak tops.

Japanese ceramicist Shiho Hayashi works with clay to create minimal, yet elegant sculptural pieces. Her new collection, currently being exhibited in Auckland as part of the Modern Japan Craft 21 Exhibition at Public Record, juxtaposes soft gentle curves with defined outlines and forms to reference isolated parts of the body. With a vast depth of knowledge around different techniques, Shiho explores this by experimenting freely with elegant forms and tactile texture.  

In addition to taking inspiration from nature, Shiho is greatly inspired by the work of Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi, whose world-famous Akari lamps designed in the 1950s are still sought after today. Her most recent collection uses a lot of black as a result of the firing processes and she hopes that by reducing it down to one colour people will see the beautiful hidden landscapes that arise within the pieces. Modern Japan Craft 21 runs until 12th December.

The work of Danish duo Kristina Krogh and Christian Andersen of studio Krogh Andersen is built around a certain dynamic with a graphical language. Their minimalist works, often inspired by curves, surfaces and calming meditative lines found in nature, leave only shape and shadow visible in an effort to draw the viewer closer and create a quiet and intimate conversation. Their goal is to make work that is an invitation to observe the world through shape and surface. Their latest works, a series of Relief Mirrors are a perfect example. Made from plaster, wood and mirror glass, each mirror is handmade and designed to float from the wall, which casts a beautiful shadow behind the mirrors. A special wall bracket is attached to the back, making it easy to hang.

At the intersection between old and new and design and art, Danish brand New Works pays homage to the strong Scandinavian history of craftsmanship and materiality, whilst challenging the contemporary forms of today. Collaborating with an international group of renowned designers and artists, who display a matching fascination with sculptural forms and honest materials, they have teamed up with long-time collaborator Lotta Agaton Interiors and photographer Mikkel Mortensen to create their  Autumn '21 campaign imagery. The airy, light-filled location provides a beautiful backdrop for the sculptural collection of furniture and lighting.

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