London Design Festival 2013: British design brand Another Country has created a collection of bedroom furniture for London retailer Heal's, based on the simplicity of Shaker-style interiors.
Another Country applied its signature pared-back styling to the range developed exclusively for Heal's, which comprises a bed, bedside table, blanket chest and two chests of drawers.
The collection references Another Country's earlier Series Two collection through its use of materials such as ash and brass, but the company's owner Paul de Zwart said he added "playful details like ever-so-slightly oversized key escutcheons, as well as new materials like the linen headboard."
Made from solid ash with a white oil finish, the furniture features simple, boxy forms and traditional joinery that enhance the sense of solidity and craftsmanship.
"We've also given a nod to Arts and Crafts style in the shape of little upright backs on the chests – a reminder of the rich furniture-making traditions of Heal's," de Zwart added.
A bed frame available in single, double and king sizes is the centrepiece of the collection, and features brushed brass feet and a headrest covered in natural linen.
The chests of drawers all employ traditional wooden runners and dovetail joints that attach the drawer fronts.
Brass handles are used on the chests of drawers and the bedside table, while the blanket chest and chests of drawers feature an oversized brass escutcheon and key.
Another Country's other products include a range of candleholders with handy storage compartments by French designer Marie Dessuant, and Ian McIntyre's handmade pottery collection.
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Here's some more information about the collection:
Another Country for Heal's - bedroom range
Incorporating elements of their critically acclaimed Series Two collection, Another Country has designed an exquisite five-piece bedroom range for Heal's comprising a bed, bedside table, blanket chest and two chests of drawers; one tall, one wide. The range, which is made from solid ash with a white oil finish, is on sale exclusively at Heal's.
The Another Country for Heal's range has clean-cut, angular lines that draw inspiration from the no-nonsense style of Shaker and Scandinavian furniture and the pale woods favoured in contemporary Belgian craft production. It also uses brass as an additional accent, providing decoration as well as structural support.
"The manufacturing techniques employed in the construction of these pieces are a celebration of the values of contemporary craft," says Paul de Zwart, Another Country's owner (and, in a previous incarnation, the founding publisher of Wallpaper* magazine). "We've included some references from our Series Two collection, such as the use of solid ash and brass, but for this range we've added playful details like ever-so-slightly oversized key escutcheons, as well as new materials like the linen headboard. We've also given a nod to Arts and Crafts style in the shape of little upright backs on the chests – a reminder of the rich furniture-making traditions of Heals."
Founded in 2010, Another Country is a British-based company that makes contemporary craft furniture and accessories. The brand's simple, functional, pared-back designs are manufactured in the UK and Portugal using FSC certified solid woods.
Bedside Table
This neat side table combines function with aesthetic appeal. Dovetail joints provide attractive craft detail whilst brushed brass hardware and feet give subtle material interest. All the drawers in the Sleep Series use traditional wooden runners for an authentic construction and the Bedside Table is no different. The single drawer unit sits on top of slender legs and a small upright on the table top is an attractive reworking of a practical traditional furniture detail.
Blanket Chest
This handsome piece of furniture is a fine storage solution with plenty of space for linens, clothes or toys. Traditionally placed at the bottom of a bed but, we think, useful employed anywhere in your bedroom. Like all pieces in our Sleep Series, the chest combined pale ash with brushed brass details to beautiful effect. We've made a feature of one further function - the chest is lockable with a charming brass lock and key.
Bed
At the heart of our Sleep Series is this generous, sturdy bed frame. The frame is constructed from pale ash with brushed brass feet and the generous headrest is covered in a soft natural linen, providing comfort and creating a clean silhouette. The bed frame is available in single, double and king sizes.
Tallboy
The first of our Sleep Series drawers is a slim, elegant Tallboy. This endlessly useful piece of furniture provides maximum storage with minimum fuss. The Tallboy uses traditional wooden runners for it's five drawers and further authentic craft detailing comes in the way of beautiful dovetail joints on each drawer. A small upright on the top of the Tallboy is a pleasing take on a traditional detail and charming brass escutcheon and key is the only decorative embellishment in this paired back design - and a functional one at that.
Chest Of Drawers
The second of our Sleep Series drawers is a hearty chest of three drawers. The bottom drawer is extra large and the perfect storage solution for blankets and bigger items, the top drawer is lockable with a charming brass escutcheon and key. Pale ash and brushed bronze detailing are the signature of this paired back collection and have been employed here to full effect. Similarly, authentic craft detailing comes in the way of beautiful dovetail joints and an Arts and Crafts inspired upright on the drawers' top.