Heal's Discovers 2012

Great designers like Verner Panton, Georg Jensen and Arne Jacobsen don’t come along every day. Nor do they simply appear out of the ether. Talent needs nurturing and that’s what Heal’s Discovers is all about. Unearthing the brilliance in our midst.

Each year we bring together the work of the best up-and-coming furniture and homeware designers in an exclusive Heal’s Discovers collection.

Sketch by Maria Hatling

Sketch by Maria Hatling is an eclectic mix of exclusive prints and exclusive colour way rugs, cushions and drum shades. Maria Hatling grew up in Norway but now lives and works in London.

‘As a child, most of my summers were spent visiting my grandparents. They lived way up in the north of Norway, in a small fishing village within the Arctic Circle. My grandpa was a fisherman. The Fishes print I created for Heal’s Discovers was inspired by him, and the colours I chose for my Butterflies print were inspired by the wild meadow flowers I used to pick as a child.’

Woodland by MissPrint

MissPrint is a family business run by Yvonne and Rebecca Drury, who are based in the countryside bordering East London. The forests of Great Britain inspired MissPrint’s ‘Woodland’ designs for Heal’s Discovers. Intricate and quirky, the patterns are graphic representations of British trees and leaf forms. The collection includes rugs, cushions, a doormat and a tableware range.

‘Nature has a big influence on our work. A simple leaf or flower has so many beautiful qualities of shape, colour and texture. We also love mid-century Scandinavian design, which is characterised by simplicity, clean lines and organic forms.’

Ray by James Shaw

Originally from Devon, James Shaw is currently completing a Masters degree at the Royal College of Art. Drawing inspiration for his work from traditional manufacturing techniques and old photos the Ray storage cabinets are inspired by the Aga stove.

‘The Aga has become a symbol of solidity and domestic warmth. I wanted to carry these values through into these pieces, accentuating the doors, which are executed in hardwood with generous radiuses, and making a feature of the hinges, which are usually hidden away but are in reality the key element of a door.’

Fallen Leaves by Suzanne Goodwin

Known for her innovative, colourful and contemporary designs, Suzanne Goodwin specialises in creating distinctive textile products. Fallen Leaves demonstrates Suzanne’s passion for colour and form, evident in the vibrant design which has been inspired by the rich colours of autumn, evoking a sense of natural harmony.

‘While researching through the wonderful history of Heal’s I discovered all about the great Ambrose Heal, a true innovator who embraced change and I came across a wonderful quote of his “If in doubt innovate” With this in mind, my aim was to create a contemporary digital floral print which is innovative and modern.’

Elements by Kathryn Roberts

Kathryn Roberts works with hot glass to create eye-catching designs from her glassworks in Brecon in Wales. Kathryn’s unique glasswork combines opaque and transparent glass colours which display an unrestrained painterly quality.

‘Much of my inspiration comes from the material itself. I try to use the natural qualities of glass to produce a subtle symmetry between form and decoration. For the Elements range I applied overlapping layers of colour at different stages of the blowing process to create depth. Each piece is truly unique.’

Bisley by Plant & Moss

For Heal’s Discovers, Birmingham-based designers James Plant and James Moss set out to create a sofa and loveseat that would evoke a clear sense of Britishness. Bisley draws inspiration from heritage products that combine leather with woollen tweed fabrics – such as shooting jackets with leather patches.

‘We like to maintain a playful element to our designs and this is something that can be seen in the proportions of Bisley. The arms are shorter than might be expected and the seat deeper. This provides the user with a relaxed setting where they can sit, recline, snuggle and feel at home.’

Bubble and Prism by Sonya Winner

Sonya Winner creates exceptional rugs that are graphic, vibrant and highly original and that could be considered as much works of art as rugs and wall hangings. A passion and unique method of working with wool and silk showcases Sonya’s talent for colour blending with a design process that involves layering colours by hand.

‘I’m fascinated by exploring the possibilities of creating light, vibrancy and warmth using knotted and tufted wool. There are so many ways to create original pieces working with texture, pile height, weaving techniques, yarn type and the overall shape of the design – it’s an incredibly exciting medium.’