Heal's ReDiscovers - New Pieces Inspired By Heal's Heritage

In 2004 Heal's Discovers was launched - an annual collection of inspired furniture and home accessory designs by students, graduates and new designers. Now, to celebrate our Bicentenary, we are launching Heal's ReDiscovers - a once in a lifetime for the best British furniture designers including Tom Dixon, Kay + Stemmer, and Wales & Wales to create stunning furniture and accessories inspired by key pieces and periods in Heal's first 200 years. We are also 'ReDiscovering' some original 1960s designs by textile designer Barbara Brown and silversmith Robert Welch.

All the Heal's ReDiscovers pieces share the same design integrity that established Heal's as the destination furniture store it is today, and will ensure it remains so in the future. The first collection of Heal's ReDiscovers was launched in September 2009 with the second and third phases showcasing designs by Simon Pengelly and Matthew Hilton to be introduced in Spring and Autumn 2010.

 

Foundations by Benjamin Hubert

London based industrial designer Benjamin Hubert has received much acclaim over the past few years. The Foundations shelving and storage system for Heal's ReDiscovers is inspired by brutalist architecture and made in the U.K. Created using a dark grey Valchromat, it features folded steel powder coated box fles with matching leather pull handles. Valchromat is a wood fibre board coloured with organic dyes and bonded with resin. The wood is sourced from forest waste and recycled pine, minimizing environmental impact.

'Foundations allows the user to both display and hide away their possessions.' Benjamin Hubert.

To find out more about Benjamin Hubert click here.

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Architrave by Lee Broom

Inspired by the classic shapes of architrave, cornicing and mouldings, Architrave for Heal's ReDiscovers is a distinctly unique collection. Making use of features found in period homes, Broom has taken design detail and applied it to furniture in unexpected ways. Architrave has a two tone lacquer finish; a matt white on the outside and a warm grey tone within. Mixing beautiful, intricate detail with sleek styling, the result is strikingand dramatic yet charming and familiar; a contemporary take on something rather more classic at heart. The range includes a console table, coffee table, low sideboard, 3 drawer unit, table lamp and floating shelf.

'I wanted to create a collection that was extremely contemporary but with a very apparent traditional feel.' Lee Broom.

To find out more about Lee Broom click here.

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Lap Tilt by Steuart Padwick

Designed by Steuart Padwick as part of our Heals Rediscovers 2010 collection, Lap Tilt is intended to be used whilst sat at a sofa using a laptop. Lap Tilt, as the name suggests, tilts forward towards the user when light pressure of the hands is applied to use the keyboard by means of a carefully considered cut away on the bottom of the solid steamed beech base allowing the item to tilt. When not in use as a laptop table, Lap Tilt doubles as an occasional table, making it the ideal solution for the space conscious.

'I wanted to create a more sculptural and tactile piece of furniture in wood, expressing real craftsmanship.' Steuart Padwick.

To find out more about Steuart Padwick click here.

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Stride by Kay+Stemmer

Kay and Stemmer took inspiration for their Stride range from the Utility dining furniture designed by Christopher Heal in the 1950's. The Stride dining table is made from a solid piece of American oak with softened corners and bull nose edging. The slender solid American oak legs taper elegantly up and are gun-stock-jointed into the underframe. A clear lacquer finish showcases the natural grain of the wood. Made from solid American oak, the Stride dining chair is upholstered in a Bute Melrose Jungle Green or Carbon Grey wool. The design of the chair is unique in that the arm frame sits at a purposely low height to functionally pull the chair towards the table.

'We wanted to reflect the crafted elements of Christopher Heal's designs but pare it back to something more contemporary.' Kay+Stemmer.

To find out more about Kay+Stemmer click here.

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Lavish Sofa and Chaise by John Jenkins

Taking the three fundamental elements of a Chesterfield (the button detailing, the scroll arm and scroll back) as the basis, John has reworked them with a camel back to create a silhouette of simple, sophisticated grandeur. Perfectly compliments the Lavish Sofa and makes an opulent statement in its own right. The chaise has a fixed back with a high arm on the left or right, oversized button detail, whilst the deep seat has feather pads with a foam core. Feet are dark stained. Made in the Uk.

'If there is one piece of quintessentially British upholstery it is the chesterfield sofa.' John Jenkins.

To find out more about John Jenkins click here.

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Automation Bed Linen by Barbara Brown

Barbara Brown's 1970 print Automation exemplifies the changing mood of the decade which was confident enough to produce bold statements within interior design. Inspired by machines and architecture, Brown used mathematical formulae and contrasting tones of light and dark to create the illusion of motion and give the design a three dimensional effect. Developed in to a bed linen range, this large scale print occupies the whole width of the fabric creating a very impactful visual statement.

'Inspiration was engineering drawings - the two big screws.' Barbara Brown.

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Hobart Candlestick by Robert Welch

In 1967 from September 11th to 30th, Heal’s exhibited a collection of work by designer Robert Welch R.D.I., M.B.E. One of the showcased designs was the Hobart candlestick which was featured on the exhibition catalogue cover. Reissued for Heal’s ReDiscovers, Robert Welch’s timeless design has been recreated by his daughter Alice. Using the original 1960s moulds Hobart’s natural imperfections add to its authentic charm. In a matt black, gloss white and gloss red enamel finish Hobart is a design classic and looks and feels as contemporary today as it did when it was first launched.

'The use of cast iron was not readily acceptable as a metal for tableware, so this range was a brave step in the 1960’s. It stands as testament to Robert’s timeless design that this range is still selling five decades later.' Alice Welch.

To find out more about Robert Welch click here.

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Vanity Dressing Table and Stool by Johnny Egg

Vanity is a perfect blend of modern and vintage, with its use of sleek black lacquer and classic sweeping scroll shape revealing Egg's trademark playful use of vibrant hot pink flocking. Inspired by Ambrose Heal's 1898 Fine Feathers Suite dressing table which was carved with the Rudyard Kipling quotation, 'If this be vanity, who'd be wise?' The same quotation is inlayed inside Vanity's drawer. Other small but noticeable and important details include the use of Swarovski crystals on the fixtures and fittings. Made in the UK.

'Ambrose Heal realised all those years ago that great design and quality wasn't something that could be put together in five minutes. He took great care and time into making his beautiful pieces, then rewarded his customer's patience every day with small touches (such as the quotations) that could be enjoyed for years to come. I just hope that people will still be enjoying the finer details and secrets I've incorporated into my design for as long.' Johnny Egg.

To find out more about Johnny Egg click here.

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Flow Sofa by Kay + Stemmer

The 1950s saw a deliberate attempt to break with the traditions of the pre war era with an explosion of abstract free form shapes. Inspired by this, Flow, with it’s organic form, gentle lines and elegant shape offset by the bold colours of orange and tomato in Bute Tiree, demonstrates understated luxury, simple sophistication and of course functionality with the best possible craftsmanship; an ethos that is shared by Kay + Stemmer and Heal’s. Designed to compliment the rest of the Flow cabinet range designed as part of Heal’s Discovers, Flow’s versatility is the detail of the design making it a flexible piece of furniture for anywhere in the home; at one end you can sit and at the other you can lounge or cuddle up loveseat-esque.

'We wanted to create a sofa that would create an oasis of comfort. The very fact that it isn't rectangular gives it an air of informality and ease. It offers flexibility and creates a less rigid and formal space in a room.' Sarah Kay.

To find out more about Kay + Stemmer click here.

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Slice by Wales & Wales

In the 1950s Christopher Heal began designing new ranges of flexible unit furniture. His new simple styles, designed to sit in either the living area or bedroom rather than be confined to one room, meant that everything had a rightful place, ridding rooms of extraneous clutter, a challenge that remains the same in storage design today. Inspired by this multi functional style, Wales and Wales has designed Slice. Since 1980 Wales & Wales has gained a reputation for timeless, intelligent design, emerging from a craft background without being confined by it. Made of American black walnut, with stretcher rails and burnt orange lacquer accents, Slice is a contemporary take on a classic style.

Although designed primarily for the bedroom the ambiguity and graphic approach to the design of Slice means that each piece could be used individually or as a collective throughout the home.

'We have often ‘used’ history as a stylistic influence, it’s one rather obvious tool in any designer’s box. We try and make a subtle if sometimes ambiguous formal connection between the past and our own 21st century selves. For the Slice range we made a decorative virtue of functional necessity by designing asymmetric drawer pulls which reveal flashes of colour, enlivening the composition of the surrounding framework and rich timber surfaces.' Rod Wales.

To find out more about Wales & Wales click here.

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Slab Table by Tom Dixon

Once the war effort had finished in 1918, alongside developing new designs Heal’s began to develop new finishes. As fewer people had servants after the war, retailers had to start appealing to a new consumer, looking for hardwearing and easy to clean finishes to replace the more impractical polished surfaces. These new finishes and painted woods gave customers more options to choose from than ever before. Today designers continue to experiment with innovative finishes developing old techniques and finding new ways of making furniture unique.

Slab by Tom Dixon is a great example of this. Available in an exclusive fluorescent orange, the Slab dining table and low coffee table is formed from a ‘slab’ of solid oak and characterised by a deeply brushed and heavily lacquered surface that showcases the natural grain of the wood. Robust and simple and very much of the Arts & Crafts Movement, Slab nods to the traditional through it’s use of solid oak and soft edges with its bold colour adding a contemporary feel.

'Although it’s in fashion at the moment I’m using fluorescent in furniture because it’s an ultra colour – it’s more colourful than a real colour. I like to mix super contemporary and traditional – but you have to have the right dose of both. Making sure that you’re radical and you’ve got some kind of historical basis is a useful balancing act, as ultimately people do want to have an element of tradition in their furniture.' Tom Dixon.

To find out more about Tom Dixon click here.

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4Poster by John Jenkins

In 1810 John Harris Heal started the company as a Mattress and Feather Bed Manufacturer and throughout those 200 years Heal’s has always been found on Tottenham Court Road ‘at the sign of the four-poster’. The four-poster bed became synonymous with Heal’s. In the 1890s Ambrose Heal designed a solid beech four-poster which was re-issued in 1984 when Sir Terence Conran was the company director, and an illustration of the design was given pride of place on the store bags. More recently in 2006 our Heal’s Discovers designer, John Reeves extended his exclusive and award winning Louis range to include a four-poster which remains a best-seller.

To mark the Bicentenary, John Jenkins, the design manager at Heal’s who has been with the company for 12 years has developed 4Poster. Made from solid American black walnut with an upholstered inset panel headboard and simple, (optional) fabric drape, 4Poster’s, restrained design of a decadent concept allows customers to choose their own fabric enabling them to create a very personal bespoke piece of furniture.

'Having worked ‘at the sign of the Four Poster’ for 12 years I fully appreciated the huge significance and importance of designing a Four Poster bed for our bicentenary year and realised that above all else it was important to design a piece which was commensurate with the values which have endured for almost 200 years. The result is a bed which is classically contemporary in appearance and beautifully made.' John Jenkins.

To find out more about John Jenkins click here.

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Knit by Donna Wilson

During the 1940s thriving and buoyant again after the Depression, the Mansard Gallery at Heal’s was dedicated to supporting home grown Arts & Crafts, showcasing fine art, illustration, hand woven fabrics and pottery. Donna Wilson, a graduate from the Royal College of Art where she studied mixed-media textiles, is one of a new generation of designers who have taken craft to a new level using handcrafted techniques including felting, sewing, knitting and wrapping.

The three designs which form Knit are Leaf, Fox and Owl. Already inspired by nature and children’s drawings, Wilson has also taken inspiration from textile designer Dorothy Taylor’s 1944 ‘Toy Huntsmen’ and Hannah Gabert’s 1948 ‘Feathers’ which were designed exclusively for Heal’s. Designed to bring a little softness, pattern and colour into the home, Knit is playful, tactile and bright.

'The ReDiscovers project was really exciting, as I was able to draw inspiration from a fantastic rich source as the Heal’s archive. It was a great starting point, and I feel the results have a contemporary feel as well as a hint of nostalgia.' Donna Wilson.

To find out more about Donna Wilson click here.

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Luna Chair by Matthew Hilton

Matthew Hilton, designer of the iconic Balzac chair drew inspiration from the classic wing-backed armchair to create Luna.

Made in the United Kingdom, Luna is manufactured from traditional materials associated with handcrafted upholstery yet engages in new techniques of construction to create a unique, contemporary form. It combines a hardwood frame and soft quilted interior to provide a pure, soft, fluid profile. It’s high back and scooped arms are designed to almost cradle the user, providing exceptional comfort and style.

Referencing designs such as the Eames lounger which shares a contrast between the hard texture of the wood and the soft leather cushion, for Luna, Hilton has achieved a similar effect, but using only fabric to create a very controlled accurate form.

'I became aware of Heal’s as a designer, after I moved to London when I was about 18. I began to realise that it has always been a name in the home products market because of its passion for innovation and, as a result, it is a name that commands respect. As a company, Heal’s has always been known to do its own thing, and not play safe. These are principles that I try to adhere to in my own work.' Matthew Hilton

To find out more about Matthew Hilton click here.

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Tipple Drinks Table by Simon Pengelly

Simon Pengelly’s practical experience in his father’s workshop as a child has been central to his design work. Understanding materials and production processes is fundamental to Pengelly’s approach, combined with a passionate desire to create accessible contemporary furniture which is understated and elegant, with a trademark of simplicity and timeless appeal.

For Heal’s ReDiscovers he has designed Tipple. Made of stylish black American walnut, Tipple is a beautifully constructed occasional table which conceals a drinks cabinet.

With a leather pull that lifts and opens to reveal a solid oak interior storage area for bottles, glasses and flutes, Tipple is a contemporary take on the drinks cabinet. Elegant and sophisticated for super-suave sipping of classic Martinis, Tipple is ideal for the modern home.

'200 years is quite a heritage, so it's a real honour to be asked to contribute and be part of the continued success of Heal’s.' Simon Pengelly

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Plus4 Table and Chairs by John Jenkins

In the 1920s many people began moving out into ‘suburbs’. The newly built homes of the period were enjoying their own garden for the first time. Their very own piece of the countryside; the garden was a key element of the rural idyll depicted in advertising brochures bringing a sense of prosperity and inspiration to a post WW1 society. The garden therefore was an important leisure area and an ideal meeting place in the summer months for families, extending the main family room of the house outdoors.

Designed in 1923 by Ambrose Heal the teak set of table and corner chairs opposite was designed originally with a rose bower; an ideal place for afternoon tea. Inspired by this classic piece of craftsmanship and to mark the Bicentenary, John Jenkins, the Design Manager at Heal’s who has been with the company for 12 years, has developed Plus 4.

Perfect for modern city and town gardens which are often compact and short on space, Plus 4, a table and set of four chairs made from solid teak, has been designed with style and function equally in mind. The chairs are comfortable and practical and when not in use, nest seamlessly around the edge of the table. The table has been designed to be flat packed for storage during the winter months whilst the chairs can be inverted and stored one on top of another. It can all be topped off with an optional parasol which can be inserted into the centre of the table.

'Firstly I would like to pay tribute to my predecessors for their creative guile! I simply saw this project as an opportunity to make a good product even better! I have rationalised the construction making it more cost effective and contemporary in appearance and am delighted with the result.' John Jenkins

To find out more about John Jenkins click here.

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Cast Side Table and Bench by John Reeves

John Reeves designer of Heal’s iconic Louis range, is one such contemporary designer who has strived to create a garden collection that is stylishly relaxed and contemporary using a fresh and harmonious mix of materials. Reeves first worked with Heal’s in 2005 as part of Heal’s Discovers with much acclaim and continued success since, so it was only fitting that Reeves take part in the 2010 ReDiscovers project to develop his second outdoor range.

Beautifully proportioned Cast, includes a bench and round side table. The frame is produced from sand cast recycled solid aluminium, plated in zinc with a soft patina finish. The integral white FSC teak slats sealed in a natural wax finish span the seat of the bench. The process of casting allows a simplicity of fabrication that ensures solid durability, it also gives an opportunity to be more efficient during the production process as any mistakes can be easily melted down and cast again.

The organic contours and curves of Cast, combined with the stone like colour and texture, enable its presence to quietly fit into any surrounding. The collection takes inspiration from the contours of the limestone and granite mountains of the north of England described in Wordsworth’s poetry and Wainwright’s walking books bring a rural, rugged and natural beauty to the Heal’s garden furniture range.

'In 2005 I was discovered by Heal’s when my Louis console table was produced as part of the Heal’s Discovers project. I went on to learn a lot about more about the company, its rich history and influence on British design – furniture in particular. I was excited to be designing and supplying to a store that has pioneered contemporary design for 200 years. Heal’s nurturing of new designers has been encouraging and provocative, with a keen and discerning design approach. For me, this has created an environment of opportunity and learning at the same time.' John Reeves

To find out more about John Reeves click here.

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Contour Sideboard, AV Unit, Console and Occasional Table by Samuel Chan

Samuel Chan established his design studio in 1995. His furniture designs express purity of line, exacting proportion and exceptional wood craft. He first designed for Heal’s in 2007 when his Hume Revolving Bookcase was part of the Heal’s Discovers project. For Heal’s ReDiscovers he’s created Contour, a collection of four occasional pieces: an AV unit, coffee table, console and sideboard.

Chan’s attention to detail acknowledges the Heal’s tradition for forward-looking design combined with fine craftsmanship. In the Contour series these priorities are exemplified in the wood-turned ‘trumpet’ legs, super-thin 10mm sections and solid oak cross-band lipping applied entirely by hand.

As its name suggests, the curvaceous forms of the Contour collection introduce a new shape to traditionally angular pieces and show innovation in function, technique and form.

The spirit of the Contour collection comes from a purist’s vision of furniture, a trademark of Samuel’s work. At the drawing board, this means a disciplined approach to line and proportion. In production, there is a preoccupation with natural wood and exploring how the age-old craft of woodworking can create something wholly contemporary.

'For me the finest examples of Heal’s furniture through the years have all expressed a strong sense of integrity in design and production – a spirit I wanted to celebrate in the Contour series. It’s a privilege to be a contemporary contributor to Heal’s long and rich history.' Samuel Chan

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Kin Nest of Tables by Frank

The advent of the paper back book in the 1930s led to a rising popularity within the middle classes to read popular fiction. Inspired by this in 1936 Ambrose Heal developed the book table. Made from walnut or oak this style of table was designed for function, with shelves and drawers just big enough to house the newly published books of the time, with its unique style coming from the octagonal or hexagonal design and flat panel legs.

Inspired by this 1930s style of occasional table, design duo Matt Edmonds and Pam West of Frank have created Kin. A nest of tables each with its own slim line drawer, Kin is designed to hold items such as newspapers, laptops and other items used in our everyday lives. As a nest of tables Kin can be used a variety of ways collectively or singularly; as an occasional table in a lounge, book table in a study and even as a side table in a bedroom. This versatility and use of colour adds a contemporary update to the traditional design concept. With a rectangular tabletop, Kin also has flat panel legs to create a fresh aesthetic to the design and to reinforce its contemporary feel. The linear nature of the design is complemented by the timber construction and open grain finish.

'The idea for Kin was fairly spontaneous and revolves around the function and sensitivity with which we handled the balance between material and form. Being involved in a project like this with Heal’s makes us feel as though we are part of the continuum of British design, to which Heal’s has contributed so much throughout its history.' Frank - Pam West and Matt Edmonds

To find out more about Frank click here.

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Prima Donna Fabric by Osborne and Little

As one of the leading names in wallpaper and fabric design, Osborne & Little have been selling their designs at Heal's since they began four decades ago. From leading the way in the paint effect wallpapers of the 1980s to developing today's contemporary metallics, flocking and innovative print techniques, Osborne & Little continue to be at the heart of interior trends.

For Heal's ReDiscovers Osborne & Little have designed Prima Donna, a traditional floral, made modern with fluorescent pink roses and a silver background. Perfectly marrying the heritage of Osborne & Little with the ideals of Heal's, Prima Donna is quintessentially British. Prima Donna is a visually stunning statement with a hand printed feel, adding a real sense of style and drama to any interior. Prima Donna is available as wallpaper, scatter cushions, a lampshade, doormat, rug and is available on the roll as upholstery grade fabric, giving customers the bespoke opportunity to make made to measure curtains, blinds, sofas and armchairs such as the Antoinette armchair.

'Heal's has always represented to me the epitome of good English design and craftsmanship. We are honoured to have been asked to do a special design to celebrate their bicentenary.' Peter Osborne.