9 Independent Design Brands & Artisans You Need To Know

Describing himself as having a “fascination for touch”, Bristol-based ceramicist Alex McCarthy updates simple ceramic profiles (or so he says) with anything-but-simple surface finishes. His highly textured designs are instantly recognisable for their carefully considered proportions, crackled, rugged finishes and generous lashings of gold, silver and copper lustres.

Elevating bark, earthen surfaces and marine life to luxurious new heights, the designs are as unique as the nature they’re inspired by.

“No two pieces are ever the same,” Alex explains. “This is intentional, as I feel each piece has its own story to tell. I want the viewer to interact with the work through touch and perhaps see if they can feel the pot’s journey.”

If you don’t recognise the name, chances are you’ve already enjoyed Alexandra Shorey’s creations in the projects of some of your favourite interior designers. The British artisan is most well-known for her beautiful horse sculptures—full of grace and almost perceptible movement.

The artist draws from a personal memory bank of beloved childhood moments with her horses to inspire her work which is sensitive and elegant—a modern yet sophisticated take on horse sculpture.

Is there anything as fulfilling as collecting art and supporting a local artist? British artist Bella Pieroni has spent her career of over 25 years capturing human movement and translating it in a two dimensional form.

The inherent motion and energy of her sketchy, as-quick-as-it-happens artwork is a result of the artist “almost always” painting to music—the rhythms organically influencing the movements of the model and, thus, the rendering of the artist.

Using predominantly neutral palettes and faceless forms, Bella’s work is simultaneously easy to relate to and subjective in nature. All are enjoyable to view but one might take interest in a particular piece whilst another—with a different perspective, looking with different eyes or a different purpose—chooses a different piece.

American brand Diane James should be praised for creating realistic beauty in a sphere that is too often saturated with less-than-realistic alternatives—the world of faux flowers.

“For over 20 years, we’ve been designing the world's most beautiful faux floral arrangements… and not one of them has ever wilted!” the brand website quite rightly points out. Of course, fresh flowers are wonderful (as its undeniable source of inspiration, Diane James would surely agree), but imagine the joy of fresh flowers for 20 years with no upkeep and just as much beauty and realism.

Satisfying the wishes of Maximalists everywhere, Hertfordshire brand Hyde House trades in high-impact furniture with an edge. Designs characteristic of the brand’s urban style include teddy bear fur armchairs, sofas in upholstery in marbled fabrics, Roaring (20)20s Art Deco-inspired sideboards, and plinths decorated, trompe l’oeil style, in a panelled Phillip Jeffries wallpaper—proof that small and independent needn’t mean bashful and quaint.

Loom Furniture excels in contemporary furniture design inspired by classic forms and the made-to-order brand—based in Worcestershire—is fast becoming the go-to for sophisticated homes in town or country thanks to this best-of-both-worlds aesthetic.

“Simple in construction, beautifully proportioned and perfectly finishedSimple in construction, beautifully proportioned and perfectly finished” are the brand’s promises and it delivers. Designs are elegant in form—aesthetically and proportionally. Nothing is overthought or overdesigned. Pieces are either left in their purest form or very minimally accented.  

British ceramics have a long and illustrious history, so it’s thrilling to see that history continue with O.W. London—a fine bone china workshop based in the north of England.

Established in 2015 by Olivia Weinberg—an art journalist-turned-ceramic artist—the brand’s pieces are all handmade using traditional pottery skills and skill screen printing methods dating back to the Song dynasty. (What the brand might lack in age is made up for by this alone.)

Traditional in medium, maverick in nature, artisan Richard Brendon seems hellbent on shaking the dust off of a few less-than-sexy industries. The London-based designer is steadily building himself a reputation as the purveyor of contemporary chinaware and fine glassware.

The story goes that whilst Notting Hill-raised Brendon was studying product design and working at a pub on the Portobello Road, he recognised an opportunity—the plethora of singular teacup saucers, found amongst the eclectic wares of market sellers, whose cups had long been damaged. Seeing those orphan saucers, he had the simple but (what has turned out to be) ingenious idea to produce mirror teacups which would reflect the pattern of the saucer, creating a perfect pair.

Uniquely British design is one of the country’s most charming exports and Rosanna Lonsdale is the perfect modern example. Not only is the eponymous brand an independent, it’s also a start-up with an utterly sweet story.

Inspired by the work of her acclaimed lighting designer grandmother Monica Greig, founder Rosanna is continuing the family tradition of crafting lighting designs using the same 18th century decoupage techniques.

“Each lamp is handmade in London, through a meticulous process of painting and decorating glass vases from the inside, using the 18th Century technique, decalcomania,” says Rosanna of her vibrant glass lamps which feature motifs such as palm fronds, chili peppers and flamingos.