One to Watch: EJM Studio’s stool is inspired by the humble church pew
EJM Studio’s ‘Pew’ stool reimagines the traditional British church seating with a modern, eco-conscious twist

Some objects and designs have remained virtually unchanged for centuries. Often taken for granted or slipping by unnoticed due to continuous use over time, it's within these overlooked furniture categories that Edward John Milton, founder of London-based EJM Studio, draws his inspiration. The rich history of these objects imbues them with stories and a sense of timelessness that calls for exploration.
EJM Studio: Edward John Milton celebrates timelessness and craft
The traditional British church pew – a piece of furniture that has historically symbolised togetherness and community – serves as the canvas for Milton's latest reinterpretation. ‘The church pew is instantly recognisable. Its design carries centuries of history, embodying a quiet modesty in both its function and form,’ he reflects.
EJM Studio's ‘Pew’ stool reimagines the church pew to meet the needs and spaces of today's conscious consumers while still resonating with tradition.
Designed to function both as a stool and a side table, ‘Pew’ presents a streamlined, minimalist design that offers subtle nods to the church version. Beneath its seemingly simple form lies an undertone of complexity; each stool is CNC-milled and hand-finished, with attentive care given to its intricate angles and curves.
Thoughtfully designed to be stackable, the stool assumes an elegant, mesmerising effect through its layered patterns and repetitions. As Milton recalls, ‘A visit to St Albans Cathedral initially sparked my inspiration. I was captivated by the nave’s striking curvature, rhythmic repetition, and layered arcade design. This architectural layering influenced the “Pew” stool, adding visual intrigue to the stacked form while preserving its functionality.’
Made entirely of oak retrieved from Fallen & Felled – a London-based organisation committed to repurposing timber from trees that have fallen naturally – the stool embraces the wood's imperfections, highlighting its vitality. Sustainability and circular design are at the core of EJM Studio's ethos. ‘The oak used is not prime but contains “imperfections” that I believe are vital to the design. This reflects a needed shift toward a circular approach, where we value and repurpose rather than overlook,’ Milton explains.
The studio's dedication to material storytelling and to environmentally responsible design is evident in ‘Pew’. Outside of a church context, placed within the secular realm of contemporary design, the piece still carries a sense of community through its modest forms and environmentally conscious efforts.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Priced at £750 RRP, Pew is made to order and can be purchased directly through EJM Studio
Smilian Cibic is an Italian-American freelance digital content writer and multidisciplinary artist based in between London and northern Italy. He coordinated the Wallpaper* Class of '24 exhibition during the Milan Design Week in the Triennale museum and is also an audio-visual artist and musician in the Italian project Delicatoni.
-
Warp Records announces its first event in over a decade at the Barbican
‘A Warp Happening,' landing 14 June, is guaranteed to be an epic day out
By Tianna Williams
-
Cure your ‘beauty burnout’ with Kindred Black’s artisanal glassware
Does a cure for ‘beauty burnout’ lie in bespoke design? The founders of Kindred Black think so. Here, they talk Wallpaper* through the brand’s latest made-to-order venture
By India Birgitta Jarvis
-
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be shown at Tate Modern
The 42-panel quilt, which commemorates those affected by HIV and AIDS, will be displayed in Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall in June 2025
By Anna Solomon
-
Nature sets the pace for Alex Monroe’s first sculpture exhibition
The British designer hops from jewellery to sculpture for his new exhibition at the Garden Museum, London. Here, he tells us why nature should be at the forefront of design
By Tianna Williams
-
On the Isle of Man, the secret history of designer Archibald Knox is revealed
The mysterious life and works of local designer Archibald Knox is celebrated in a retrospective at Manx Museum, spanning silverware, furniture, clocks and more
By Emma O'Kelly
-
Wedgwood’s AI tool lets the public reimagine Jasperware for its 250th anniversary
To celebrate 250 years of Jasperware, Wedgwood debuts an AI tool that opens up the design process to the public for the first time
By Ali Morris
-
A new London show explores material magic with medieval melancholy
Inspired by deconsecrated monasteries, interior designer and curator Jermaine Gallacher takes us on a journey through time and mood in a London exhibition at The Ragged School
By Billie Muraben
-
William Morris mania meets the design industry’s darker side in a new London show
‘Morris Mania’ at the William Morris Gallery explores the British designer’s complicated legacy in an ever-more commodified world
By Tianna Williams
-
Reimagining remembrance: Urn Studios introduces artistic urns to the UK
Bridging the gap between art and memory, Urn Studios offers contemporary, handcrafted funeral urns designed to be proudly displayed
By Ali Morris
-
Wallpaper* takes a turn around Somerset House for Collect 2025
Our round-up of the highlights from the 21st edition of the collectible craft and design fair in London
By Malaika Byng
-
‘It’s a museum-like jewel box’: L’Objet marks 20 years of elegant design with a new London flagship
Opening on 12 March 2025, L’Objet’s new London boutique is rich in chocolate colours and velvet detailing
By Tianna Williams