Itchin’ for something new and different instead of the mass produced stuff on the market? Check out ContemporaryLab, an online store dedicated to promoting the very best post-graduate design. All of the products are unique and most are sustainably produced. The online concept was set up by Emma Brocklesby; an undergraduate, who worried about how she and other undergraduates, could work in design if employment opportunities remained scarce. With this in mind, she took the decision to start up her own business. Smart Girl!
Emma says, “I wanted to create an online shop dedicated to promoting post-graduate designers. They are such an important part of the design industry and have the power to create sustainable products to help reduce global warming. Many of ContemporaryLab’s products have been designed with this in mind. The word contemporary is no longer simply descriptive; it’s a way of thinking.”
Working with her knowledge of marketing strategies, Emma researches current trends in the homeware and interior design market. She has successfully created a collection of home products that will appeal to buyers of all budgets.
Exhausted Cutlery Design by Kathryn Hinton
Inspired by components and interconnecting units, the pieces explore the role of cutlery in different table settings with emphasis on their function as connecting elements.
Bertie Magazine Rack Design by Adelaide Coombes
Bertie is part of a collaborative collection with fellow National School of Furniture designer and maker, Ben Hinton. A site visit to ‘Devonia’ (the last remaining tannery in Britain) inspired the collection and provided great research for the project. The sheepskin was the primary source of inspiration rather than just the design of a piece of furniture. Walnut, oak or ash are used to balance and reflect the colours, natural character and sustainable benefits of the sheepskin.
Melted Light Design by Marie Retpen
Individually shaped blown pendant light. Coloured and sandblasted glass. Colour: black, blue or in request. All individually shaped. Comes with wire and ceiling cup.
Rod’ Desk Lamp Design by Sebastian Cox
Made from locally coppiced hazel, harvested by hand by Sebastian. The weight of the lamp shade tips forwards to grip onto the stem, simultaneously connecting the copper wire and illuminating the LED bulb. The stem is a steam bent rod, and the shade is made up of hazel fibres. All components are as standardised as possible so this piece can be easily repaired.
Thoughtwood Office Desk Design by Robert Davies
Stunning english oak desk. The desk was commissioned by a private client, not far from the thoughtwood workshop in Devon. The home is a large, renovated, ex-horse guards structure – full of original features and clean oak beams.
Designers: Various
