Heal's Designers Archive

Heal's Designers Archive

Heal's has a worldwide reputation as a design led retailer, established in the early 20th Century from an understanding of the value and potential that good design delivers. Collaborating with established and up-and-coming designers, Heal's are constantly commissioning new designs, bringing their work to a wider audience. The Heal's Designers Archive provides information and images of some of Heal's past designer collaborations, including work from Heal's Discovers designers, Alex Hellum, Charlotte Tangye, Ella Peters, Ella Smith and Rachel Templeman.

Alex Hellum - Product Designer

"Nobody needs a dressing table" says furniture designer Alex Hellum. "It's not like a chair or a table - it's not about function. It's all about glamour. You have to want it."

So he has created Palette - a sleek, black table whose kidney shape hints at the 1930's. The accompanying stool is pert, daring you sit up straight. This is not occasional furniture - it's furniture that demands an occasion. We want it.

"I made it from beech" says Alex, a native Norwegian now based in Bucks where he teaches Furniture Design. "Wherever possible I use local timber because it has a vernacular quality that somehow comes through in the final product. Beech is very good for turning and this piece has lots of turning." The most eye-catching turn is the ring tree - a motif from the Peg chair he made for Heal's last year.

To find out more about Alex Hellum click here.

Charlotte Tangye - Product Designer

Charlotte studied English before going back to university in Manchester to study 3-D design. Footprint was part of a project she showed at New Designers in 2006. A tie rack, and a hat and coat rack are also designed exclusively as part of the collection. "I want to make products that invite you to engage with them in some way. To me, that's what Heal's is about."

"Footprint is made from powder coated steel. It's a lot tougher than it looks. You can hang one pair or several together wherever you have space." Ideal for showcasing those prized Manolos or the perfect brogues.

To find out more about Charlotte Tangye click here.

Ella Peters - Textile Designer

Right now you may be sitting on some of Ella's early work. "Calvin Klein underwear bought one of my designs last year" explains the 25 year-old textile designer. "It was a flock of parrots and originally intended to be wallpaper."

Ella, a graduate of the RCA, is fascinated by our feathered friends. Ella says "Even the dullest garden bird has colour and form." Eastern Perspective features the Resplendent Quetzal from southern Mexico. Ella looked East for inspiration: "18th century Japanese illustrations capture the delicacy of feathers. I wanted slightly bolder images for Heal's, so I added dark outlines to flatten and add depth." British influences appear in the form of stylized plants and garden flowers. Dainty yet dramatic, Eastern Perspective adorns chairs, floor cushions and lighting.

To find out more about Ella Peters click here.

Ella Smith - Textile Designer

Ella is a print and graphic designer, gaining a First Class BA (Hons) degree in printed textiles at Nottingham Trent University. Smith then went on to work for Paul Smith's design house and Speedo International.

She is currently studying for her MA in Printed Textiles at the Royal College of Art. Ella also freelances for the surf brand Headworx who have commissioned her to design prints, clothing and accessories for their summer and winter 2009 collections.

Her Links pattern design is influenced by typography and signage, combined with organic shapes to create this striking fabric for modern living. The Links design also won her the Heal's Fabric Project for 1st year RCA students.

To find out more about Ella Smith click here.

Rachel Templeman - Textile Designer

Rachel studied Surface Design for Textiles and Fashion at Bath Spa University, graduating with a First Class BA(Hons). She is currently studying for an MA in Constructed Textiles at the Royal College of Art.

Templeman drew inspiration from the quasi abstract wallpaper designs of Christopher Heal in the 1930's. The innovative technique of foil printing onto tweed in a patchwork manner gained her joint second place in the Heal's Fabric Project.

To find out more about Rachel Templeman click here.

Oiva Toikka - Glass Designer

Professor Oiva Toikka is one of the great names of Finnish design, in particular his glassworks. The Iittala Birds originated in 1972 with Toikka’s small Flycatchers, today however, the collection grows with collectors all over the world who enjoy these art objects.

Toikka’s visions are still brought to life by craftsmen at the Nuutajärvi factory in Finland, where the Iittala glass workshops have always been located. Each bird is signed “O. Toikka Nuutajärvi” as a proof of authenticity.

To find out more about Oiva Toikka click here.

Simon Pengelly - Furniture Designer

One of the most prolific and wide ranging furniture designers in the British furniture industry today, Simon Pengelly has developed products for some of the best UK manufacturers of contemporary furniture.

Pengelly has received several design industry awards and nominations and was chosen as one of a select few designers to create a new piece of furniture, Tipple, for Heal’s Rediscovers, which helped celebrate 200 years of contemporary furniture at Heal’s.

To find out more about Simon Pengelly click here.

Steuart Padwick - Furniture, Lighting & Product Designer

Steuart Padwick is a designer, maker and product developer. Steuart Padwick trained at Parnham, and the Royal College of Art and set up as a furniture designer/maker in 1979. He does not have a specific style but aspires to many of the ideals set down by the designers Jasper Morrison and Naoto Fukasawa in their book Super Normal.

Designed for Heal’s ReDiscovers LapTilt is a small laptop desk with a unique hidden taper on the base enabling it to tilt forward. This makes using a laptop so much better when sitting on a sofa. He also wanted to create a more sculptural and tactile piece of furniture in wood. Due to clever geometry the desk only tilts when you want it to, and naturally reverts to the upright position.

To find out more about Steuart Padwick click here.

Jyoti Bhomik - Textile Designer

Bhomik is best known for his floral fabric prints, designed exclusively for Heal’s during the sixties. This was a time when the west was fascinated by Eastern cultures, hence the name of his popular design titled, ‘Indian Summer’.

Bhomik's 'Indian Summer' design has provided inspiration for a vibrant bed linen and layering collection. An intricate embroidered design on a white cotton base, the fresh modern translation retains the bold colouring of the original vivid, retro design.

To find out more about Jyoti Bhomik click here.