12 designs awarded for British furniture innovation and excellence at Design Guild Mark
![Magnetic Copper Cube by Paul Keley](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bQseyF4U3hhbkVCeKXSy2c-415-80.jpg)
Every year, the Design Guild Marks (now in its 10th edition) celebrate the excellent craft, creativity and ingeniousness which lie at the heart of the British furniture industry. This year’s awards honour 12 designs representing both the domestic and contract furniture market, and both new creative ideas as well as design classics.
‘It is very interesting to meet the very passionate designers and their product, ranging from domestic seating through to complex desk systems, presented to the judging panel,’ says the award chairman Rodney McMahon, head of a jury which included Twentytwentyone’s Simon Alderson, designers Terence Woodgate and Rodney Kinsman and journalist Barbara Chandler amongst others.
‘The quality and diversity of the applicants provided for a wholly stimulating range of presentations,’ adds Alderson. ‘It was interesting to consider the longevity of historic designs alongside the contemporary. The enduring quality of good design demands careful consideration of materials, process and form.’ The variety of styles and periods is evident throughout the dozen Marks, which range from classics such as Ernest Race’s Antelope chair to new designs, namely Philippe Malouin’s Group seating for SCP and Benjamin Hubert’s chair for Allermuir.
For the Jonathan Hindle Prize for Excellence, the jury chose the work of designer-maker Paul Kelley: from his South London workshop, Kelley created a furniture system based on a magnetic copper cube, which can be arranged in geometric compositions to create furniture and accessories around the home. ‘The standard in design, thinking and making of this year’s Design Guild Mark was not only hugely inspiring, but left me feeling proud of our British furniture industry,’ said Sebastian Conran Associates creative director Tom Pearce, a thought echoed by most of the jury members. ‘Design for me is a mix of art & technology,’ added Woodgate. ‘And we certainly experienced designs at both ends of the spectrum.’
Left, Race Antelope Chair, designed by Ernest Race for Race Furniture Limited in 1951. Right, the Mozaik series of seating, by Mark Gabbertas, for Allermuir
The AXYL chair, by Benjamin Hubert, for Allermuir
Aphelion Console, by Byron and Gómez, for Benchmark
T1 Chairm, by Rodney Kinsman, for his brand OMK, 1965
Manta sofa by Lyndon Boss Design
An armchair from Philippe Malouin’s Group collection, designed for SCP
The Famiglia range, by PearsonLloyd, for Allermuir
The Edge desk, by PearsonLloyd, for Modus Furniture
INFORMATION
For more information, visit The Furniture Makers’ Company website
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
IM Pei's Everson Museum of Art gets a modern makeover
The East Wing of the Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY has been given a contemporary refresh by emerging Los Angeles studio MILLIØNS
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Surrender to these six swim-perfect outdoor hotel pools
Discover the best outdoor hotel pools, from Amankila’s aquatic triptych by Ed Tuttle to Nicolas Party’s swimmable artwork at Le Sirenuse
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
We remember Kenneth Grange, the British industrial designer, who has died aged 95
Kenneth Grange was a colossus of post-war design. With a career spanning six decades, his mission for improvement touched everything from trains to fountain pens, taxis to toothbrushes
By Hugo Macdonald Published
-
Anglepoise and National Trust look to Britain’s coastal landscape for a new blue lighting collection
Anglepoise and National Trust announce their third lighting collection, Neptune Blue
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Dimoremilano opens immersive Marylebone residency around Frieze London 2022
Coinciding with this year’s Frieze London, Dimoremilano has opened an immersive residency at The Invisible Collection’s new Marylebone HQ
By Mary Cleary Last updated
-
Holloway Li’s debut furniture collection is like colourful candy
Holloway Li presents the ‘T4’ collection of furniture, created in collaboration with Turkish manufacturer Uma and inspired by the designers’ 1990s childhood
By Rosa Bertoli Last updated
-
Bill Amberg creates leather furniture in collaboration with the Knepp Estate
London-based designer Bill Amberg has created a series of furniture pieces for the Knepp Estate, Sussex, using leather from the rewilding project's animals for an on-site cafe due to open in 2023
By Giovanna Dunmall Last updated
-
London’s Groucho Club gets a facelift
Transit Studio leads the makeover of London’s Groucho Club – its series of new, refurbished rooms are part of the Soho legend’s ongoing modernisation plans
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
Inside Battersea Power Station’s first homes
The first residents have moved into Switch House West, Battersea Power Station’s first completed section
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Iconic Barbican unit refreshed with new art and vintage furniture
A Barbican apartment interior design refresh by designer Oskar Kohnen blends modern minimalism and art with the Brutalist complex's original character in London
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated
-
London family home blends art, craft and bespoke design details
A London family home by interior designer Shalini Misra blends art, craft and bespoke design details in a comfortable yet colourful interior, full of surprises
By Ellie Stathaki Last updated