West Elm (USA)
Designs and directions for handcrafted home decor.
Innovative yet commercial crafts design
West Elm asked me to join their design team as a first international member, working remote from all around the world, with my base in The Netherlands.
Innovative design in this context is a balancing act between West Elm’s seasonal themes, the special skills and materials of artisans and the commercial requirements of the market. Such complexity only triggers my creativity.
Here examples of rugs, handwoven in India.
Pottery from Peru, rustic and precious
Local clay, fired and finished using age-old Peruvian techniques gives a unique pottery not seen anywhere else in the world. It takes close collaboration with the artisans before understanding the endless possibilities of polishing, engobe, smoke, mango leaves and double firing. But then…
even going crazy with shape, colours and decoration will still give you this natural, rustic feel with a precious shine.
Intricate and natural. Cushions from Vietnam
A combination of local materials and techniques from Northern Vietnam, in collaboration with fair trade artisans. Natural hemp and horn (left-over from not so natural bio-industry) come together in a set of intricately embroidered cushions, adding some glamour to lounging.
Ceramics vases collections from Thailand
Local clay, fired and finished using age-old Peruvian A leaves, jungle, foliage theme interpreted in high quality glazed ceramics from Thailand (where real jungle is always near). Skilfully hand painted (with bamboo brushes, not because of the theme) and hand glazed. Inspired by nature and its rich shades of green.
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Let’s connect!
email: contact [at] wonderable [dot] com
phone: +31 (0)6 1040 3587