shelter to ground...

interior architect Alexandra Batten and designer/artist Daniel Kamp are surely kindred creative spirits with our own Queen Michelle. Just take a look at this steel and stone chair in their Hong Kong studio

Queen Michelle likes the furnishings in her life to be as sharp as her cheekbones. I on the other hand with my moon face live in a world of pattern, comfort and lots and lots and lots of cushions. I have a cushion problem and no I’m not just talking about my rear end.

Currently available is their ‘shelter to ground’ collection including sculptural chairs, tables, lights and mirrors that express a simple harmony between natural and human-made materials

Batten and Kamp pieces designed are shaped by carefully juxtaposing found boulders and stones with glass panels and simple bent sheet metal components. both physically and metaphorically, the untouched stones ground the pieces, serving as anchors for the metal and glass components that form seats, surfaces and lights. the process for creating the furniture is deliberately laborious and manual. to complete each item.

The couple first find a boulder in nature, after which they determine the specific dimensions of the corresponding metal and glass pieces, in order for the fabricated components to be in proportional harmony with the natural component. this process means that every chair, light or table is different from the last.

In a way, this may be the perfect furniture for our times. Dangerous, sharp and capable of taking your eye out if you approach it wrong.

I hope everyone is staying safe and well in these dark and troubled days. It’s hard to keep our faces lifted to the sun when we hear the news every day but we need to try.

Chins up buttercups…

Big Love

Queen Marie

x