Charlotte McLeish ceramics are available to buy through makers’ platform The New Craftsmen
(Picture: Charlotte McLeish/The New Craftsmen)As a London paper with Londoners’ interests in mind, nothing gives us more of an almighty thrill than unearthing and singing the praises of lesser-known makers and independent brands who are creating wonderful homeware right here in our fine city.
If buying locally sourced produce is important to you, it doesn’t get much more local than this. Some of the pieces in our made-in-London edit might have been fired in a kiln, painted in an attic or carved in a workshop within walking distance of your home.
So many homeware brands – even caring and ethical independent ones – import their stock from overseas; either because it’s cheaper to produce that way or because they’re seeking the expert skills of artisans in countries such as Bali, India or Portugal.
When it’s so expensive (and often impractical) to start and build a brand within a city, so little of what we own now is made in the UK, let alone within a couple of miles of our front door. But we have no shortage of creatives here in London, we have makers and artisans and entrepreneurs, you just need to take the time to look for them.
Naturally, Instagram is always a good place to start, so are platforms for emerging makers such as The New Craftsmen and Glassette (the latter states where each piece is made). Read on for some of the talented brands creating homeware right under your nose…
Charlotte McLeish
Fancy starting a collection of something other than stamps? Invest in the work of local ceramicists. This joyful yellow vessel by Charlotte McLeish (£450 from The New Craftsmen) is a good place to start.
Henry Holland
When life gives you lemons, put them in a chalice bowl (£125 from Liberty) by East London fashion designer turned ‘pot dealer’, Henry Holland.
Atelier Jessie
And if your weekend coffee isn’t served in a cherry-red Weekend Mug, handmade by Atelier Jessie (£32 from Glassette), is it even worth drinking?
Rosi de Ruig
Rosi de Ruig’s lampshades are handmade in London from recycled cotton paper – they’re joyful pleated skirts for your lamp bases
Gergei Erdei
Artist and designer Gergei Erdei’s colourful work is such a mood: his new Italian-inspired Herculaneum collection feels like a holiday at home. Throw this cushion (£250 from Gergei Erdei) into a rattan lounger on the balcony and convince yourself you’re in The Med.
Domenica Marland
Until 16th April, you can support another young London-based creative with an eye for a great artist when she sees one. Invest in this large painting (£1,950 by Ruby Bateman) from rising art dealer Domenica Marland’s Pimlico pop-up and contemplate who’s betraying whom from the comfort of your sofa.
Mythology
If wood is more your poison of choice, small brand Mythology uses locally-felled British elm and London plane trees for their hand-crafted designs. This handsome lamp £695 from Mythology Furniture is chiselled in East London.
Wilkinson & Rivera
Husband-and-wife duo Wilkinson & Rivera make their playful wiggly chairs (£2,664 from Wilkinson & Rivera) in East London too. You can definitely put these babies in a corner and they’ll still steal all of the limelight.
