London Life Shops

The New Craftsmen

June 9, 2014

On Friday saw the opening of the much anticipated The New Craftsmen ‘permanent home’ in Mayfair. The shop is housed in a beautiful arts and crafts period building, ‘originally designed and built in the 19th century as a workshop for a firm of leather-breeches-makers’.

The New Craftsmen was founded in 2012 by Mark Henderson, Catherine Lock and Natalie Melton. They tour the British Isles for makers of traditional craft and choose those who are able to translate their skills in a contemporary way. Now, in their new home, they showcase their network of skilled and curated makers in a most beautiful fashion. Additionally they offer customers a range of services that enable them to customise and develop bespoke pieces.

I met Mark and Natalie on Friday and want to thank them for allowing me to come in and take photographs on the day of their opening.

The first thing you notice upon entering is the abundance of space, beautifully and expertly put together, and the sheer quality of products on show. There’s something about wonderful materials combined with method and design that gives it this unmistakably luxury feeling. Throw in provenance and sustainability and you have a magic formula.

I immediately wanted to move in….. big generous tables, an abundance of light, beautiful wares surrounded by green plants, what is there not to like? As my regular readers will know, I champion the ‘shopping experience’ and this is one heck of a shopping experience. I can’t wait for their planned events of crafts workshops amongst other community building soirées.

Let me show you how to fit out a shop.

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Harbour Light | Aimee Betts, Michael Ruh | Big generous table to sit, have a cup of coffee and ponder some commissions

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
A great selection of green plants | I just loved this chest of drawers

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
The window sill was a perfect place to display these succulents and plants

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Look at this inviting display of tomatoes and artichokes. Another great way to make a shop feel ‘homely’.

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
A selection of display cabinets that break up the big space without interfering with the beauty of the products.

There is truly something for everyone and to fit every budget. See some of the fabulous pieces for sale.

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Left: Humburg Trug, Woodfired Chicken Brick, Woodfired Beakers, Olive Ash Bowls, Olive Ash Food Boards, Silvia K Ceramics Glazed Vessels (coming online soon)
Right: Hamylin Chair | Gareth Neal

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Akiko Hirai | Teapot £180 (coming online soon)

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Akiko Hirai | Teapot £180 | Tea Cups £60 (coming online soon)

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Nicola Tassie |Faceted Porcelain Chocolate Cups £320 for a set of 6 | Faceted Porcelain Jug (not shown)

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Silvia K Ceramics Glazed Platters (coming online soon)

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Left: Laura Carlin ‘Battle’ Lamp | A one-off design. The ceramic base showcases Laura’s sgraffito technique. It’s teamed with a lampshade in Mohair Loop by Irish hand-weavers Mourne Textiles | £1, 485
Right: Laura Carlin ‘Dot’ Lamp | A one-off design. The ceramic base is hand-built and painted | £1,395

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Lighthouse Knitwear | hand-knitted toys and cushions (not shown) individually made by knitters throughout Ireland and the UK. Each bears a tag signed by its maker. 100% Natural fibres | Rabbit £95 | Bear £90

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Rabbit Lighthouse Knitwear | Cornelia O’Donovan’s Linen Scatter Cushion 38′ x 38′

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
Ernst Wright & Son Ltd | Gold-plated Scissors £50 – £85

The new craftsmen - shop opening | colourliving
And here’s the friendly Polly to help you along the way with any queries you might have.

If, like me, you value the importance of provenance, quality, crafts and design you will have found Nirvana. Definitely one of the hottest spots in town. Do pay them a visit, you won’t regret it.

This post will stay up until Monday 16th June.

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25 Comments

  • Reply Nature Relax June 9, 2014 at 8:00 pm

    Congratulations on the opening of the The New Craftsmen. Wishing them success and prosperity 🙂

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      Thank you for your comment!

  • Reply caroline @trend-daily June 9, 2014 at 8:16 pm

    Cannot wait to visit Tina-it looks wonderful and what incredible light. Thanks a million for sharing sweetie-excellent postie 😉 xx

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:03 pm

      You will absolutely love it – the light IS incredible. Thanks Caroline xx

  • Reply Igor June 9, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    What a fantastic place Tina and do I love all the greens in there!! Very, very inspiring. And I love all the handmade ceramics, though the price tags are…outch!!! Great photography as usual!

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:05 pm

      Hahaha. Thought you might like the greens they have:-)

      There is something for all budgets, starting from the great Hole & Corner magazine for £10.
      Seriously, a must visit when you’re next in town.
      Thanks Igor!

  • Reply Heidi Maude June 10, 2014 at 12:41 pm

    Ohh must go visit, looks beautiful! I loved their space behind the Connaught, this looks even better!

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:06 pm

      Their pop-ups were inspirational but having a permanent home is so much better. Am sure you’ll love it.

  • Reply Anya Jensen June 10, 2014 at 8:35 pm

    Looks absolutely FAB Tina, great stuff, fantastic decor and great shots – happy day sweets
    Ax

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:07 pm

      Thanks Anya. Great decor indeed x

  • Reply Mel June 12, 2014 at 10:38 am

    Oh Tina I want to go there now. Everything in that store speaks to me! And can I just say that the first image is an exceptionally great shot. Thanks for sharing. Love it. xx M

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:08 pm

      Mel, go on, fly over for a visit:-)
      It’s definitely your kind of store….
      Thanks lovely xx

  • Reply Gerard @WalnutGrey June 12, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Brilliant Tina. Really want to see the new place myself so it’s wonderful that you’ve posted these pics. I love how bright and airy it looks.

    Some cool products too. The Lighthouse Knitwear rabbit is a little creepy, tho I love him/her. And as for that Hamylin leather back chair – wow. It is stunning!

    I have no doubt that The New Craftsmen’s new home will be a real draw.

    Thanks for sharing xx

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:10 pm

      Oh well, if you’re coming down to see Dolly we can go and visit together:-)

      The space is incredible, and they’ve done a beautiful job with it…
      Oy, there’s nothing creepy about the Lighthouse Knitwear rabbit! He/She’s adorable…
      Too many fab products to list. I had to choose and select!

      Thanks G xx

  • Reply Judith June 12, 2014 at 1:31 pm

    What a beautiful space, Tina! I particularly love the abundance of light & selection of green plants. Despite the somewhat hefty price tags, it looks very homely and joyful. Thanks for taking us along with you!

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:15 pm

      Haha. You and Igor flock to any post that shows some greens:-)
      BTW, they hadn’t open yet when you were in town (just so you don’t think I didn’t share:-))

      As I mentioned to Igor, there’s something for every budget. It’s all about prioritising. I’d rather spend a little bit more on a well designed and manufactured product, instead of buying 3x some inferior stuff.
      I think £12 for a well crafted mug is 100 better than paying a little less for a mass-produced version from China.

      Pleasure Judith, anytime xx

  • Reply alisonsye June 13, 2014 at 8:07 pm

    Wow what a great shop. I could move a bed in and live there. Especially love those ceramic lamp bases.

    • Reply tina June 16, 2014 at 2:16 pm

      Hahaha. Me and you together. I’m first in the queue. Great products all round x

  • Reply Jocelyn Casey June 16, 2014 at 5:35 pm

    Tina, your photograph of the tomatoes in the bowl is STUNNING! It needs to go on the cover of a magazine! I love the table and well, everything! thank you for sharing this great shop!

    • Reply tina June 17, 2014 at 11:22 am

      Thanks Jocelyn. You are very welcome!

  • Reply Doris June 18, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    Another place to put on my must see list! I really fell in love with The New Craftsman concept when I read about this a few months ago. I’m so glad they now have a shop. I can’t wait to take a look. Thank You xD

    • Reply tina June 22, 2014 at 6:04 pm

      You’ll love it!
      Yes, it’s great they were able to secure such a great space… real New Craftsmen style:-)

      Pleasure D x

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