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Laura Carlin

    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.