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A CRAFTED IDYLL

Where the bee sucks, there suck I: In a cowslip’s bell I lie; There I couch when owls do cry. On the bat’s back I do fly After summer merrily. Merrily, merrily shall I live now Under the blossom that hangs on the bough. BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (from The Tempest)

Our retreat idyll is a place which our imagination happily revisits time, and time again. It is a shelter for our mind to expand and creativity to be explored;a space in which we allow ourselves to wallow in fantasies and where we meet our true self. It is a place which feels acutely familiar, yet utterly otherworldly. We are intimate with the finest details of how it should be: how the atmosphere is created with the quality of light, the sounds and the smells within and without, and the textures which form its architecture. Every item within – from chair, to bowl, to handle and rug – has been chosen, crafted and curated with the greatest of care. We know how we will feel when we are there, and we radiate a sense of tranquil satisfaction.

We have invited Sam Lee – Mercury Prize nominated folk singer, conservationist, song collector and broadcaster – to share his fantasy retreat commission with architectural and furniture practice, SASA Works.

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THE MOSS HOUSEBY SAM LEE

“So this is my imaginary design for my retreat– a dream fishing hut. That’s not a fishing hut that’s in my dreams, but a fishing hut that I visit to go fishing for dreams and ideas. The Moss House is located on an island in a chalk stream (a very particular feature of the English countryside) and almost totally unique to Southeast England. My specific chalk stream is The River Test. The island is surrounded by braided passages of river which are full of salmon and trout, and billows of watercress and watermint. The water is always at 10 degrees celsius which is one of the unique beauties of chalk streams. There are no bridges to reach this hut, so you have to take your shoes and socks off and wade through the 10 or so feet of fine soft gravelly, chalky, flinty river bed. I imagine that The Moss House will be a two storey lean-to between two alder trees which are growing out of the river, on the riverbank. Alder trees have enormous height, strength and straightness so they could become the two columns on either side of the main double length, double heighted hut. It is a three-walled hut which is always exposed to the outside. Between the two alder trees is a porch or veranda which trails off into the stream, so that the margin between where the chalky bed ends and the hut begins, is ambiguous (chalk streams never flood because there is always a constant, measured, flow out of the chalk) . The whole hut will be made from wattle and daub which is covered with lime and woven with moss. The moss growing from the hut is a connection to one of my favourite, traditional songs which comes from Ireland – The Moss House - which talks of tumbledown homes that were the “keepers of song & story”. The roof will be thatched and made out of the reeds growing around the water. As a recognition of the chalk landscape, inside the hut there is a beautiful white chalk hewn fireplace, which has blackened from fires, and a stone chimney. There will be rudimentary facilities. The kitchen will have a simple basin into which water will be drawn from the river as it will be clean enough to be used for washing. There will be a set of waterbeds with reedmace and yellow flag (both types of rush) for cleaning all my grey water. There’ll be a ladder up to a platform, above the veranda, where there will be a double bed. It will also be open on one-side and looking down over the river, with the ability to close some shutters. From up high you can watch the trout and salmon swim past, and the ducks and geese all go about their journeys. It will be as though one’s dreams could be fished out of the crystal-clear stream below. ˮ

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‘‘We have designed the space as a poetic reflection to Sam’s words – considering the importance of craftsmanship and an architecture that listens to and cares for the land. We draw all of our projects by hand a process that allows us to dream and feel the space. Tuning in as we draw with how the lines form the structures that are designed – how they form an inter-relationship of material details that inhabit the space.

The Moss house is aligned to view the morning sun and the evening sunset, with platforms to watch the river at different times of the day. The natural materials of the wood thatch and lime will patina with time imbuing the surfaces with nature. The Moss House will be built from locally sustainably harvested timber and materials. Allowing the beauty of the form of the trees to speak in the final building. A space of contemporary style and traditional craftsmanship to allow for contemplation. ‘‘

Craig Bamford and Isik Sayarer, SASA Works, London June 2020

THE MOSS HOUSE: THE DESIGN BY SASA WORKS

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The Moss House

The Moss House calls you AsA space to dream As the river speaks As the river bank speaks As the tree spirits speak As the nature sounds echo around the form

Hexagon meeting the groundOpenings that capture the rays of the sun

Dreams of light and shadow at play As I transcend towards TheCircle that meets the sky

A space of permeability For reflection

WithPortal catching the light of the moondreams of the stars With Landing places thatAnchor the footsteps of the soles of the feet To meet the soul of the land Footsteps through streamsWindows greeting the different movements of the rays of the sun vAs you arrive here with all that you need

HereHeld and hidden amongst calk and reedsWrapped yet open Foundation of alder

Held by wood of oak Meeting LimeOccupied by mossWith brick to hold the element of fire Shutters to be in Shutters to be out

A space where dreams float inMixing the elements In the night and day af experience Where stillness flows creativity

by Craig Bamford and Isik Sayarer, SASA Works

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MAKERS TO COMMISSION

SASA WORKSFurniture Maker and Architect, London

GARETH NEALFurniture maker, London

AKIKO HIRAI Ceramicist, London

ANNEMARIE O’SULLIVAN Basket Maker, East Sussex

FITCH & MCANDREWCeramicists, Scotland

THE GOOD SHEPHERDKnitter, South East England

MALGORZATA BANYArtist & Designer, South East England

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Founded in 2009 by architect and maker Craig Bamford, London based SASA Works brings a holistic approach to architecture, furniture and objects. Craig works with artist Louise Isik Sayarer to create work that fuses art, architect, craftspeople, and the environment. Seeking to create a poetic and refined relationship between materials and space, SASA Works produces work which brings joy into everyday functional objects.

SASAWORKS

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We invite you to commission SASA Works to create your own ‘retreat’ – a space for oneself that you can journey to, physically and mentally, and simply be. Where every element, angle, detail, material, and feature would be crafted and con-sidered in collaboration with SASA Works. Small or large, in a garden or a field, this is an opportunity to create an intimate space - close to your thoughts and nature, and entirely you own. SASA Works are ready to have the conversation with you.

THE RETREATSASA Works

Price: PAO The Foca Daybed by SASA Works is a sustainably-sourced piece crafted from reclaimed Douglas fir and Pitch Pine. The sofa is perfectly complemented by sheepskin cushions and throws. The Foca Daybed is named after a Turkish fishing village Foca (pronounced ‘Focha’) located near Izmir. The simple aesthetic of the sofa is inspired by the wooden decked seafront promenade, weathered by the sun, sea and years of use.

Material: Douglas fir and Pitch PineDimensions: H 63 x D 61.5 x W 182.5cm Price: £5000Lead time: 6–8 weeks

THE FOCA SOFA SASA Works

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Gareth Neal is an East London-based furniture designer who, through material inventiveness and curiosity, has helped to shape a new era in contemporary British craft. Gareth is passionate about honouring people, process and place, working collaboratively to champion the use of indigenous materials and traditional processes. Gareth’s studio produces a variety of furniture pieces including seating, cabinetry and sculptural artworks, all with a focus on sustainability and respect to the environment.

GARETH NEAL

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The Brodgar Lounge Chair is the product of a collaboration between The New Craftsmen, Dalston based furniture maker Gareth Neal, and traditional Orkney chair maker Kevin Gauld. Gareth travelled to Orkney in Scotland to develop the original Brodgar Chair design with Kevin, resulting in a contemporary twist on this iconic piece of British furniture, which speaks deeply of place. It can be made with or without the traditional drawer that is fitted underneath.

Material: Oak and StrawDimensions: H 88c x L 55 x W 72cmPrice: £4450Lead time: 10–12 weeks

THE BRODGAR LOUNGE CHAIR (WITH DRAWER)Gareth Neal

The Brodgar Side Table by Gareth Neal and Kevin Gauld, is designed to complement the entire Brodgar Chair range, including the Lounge Chair pictured opposite. However, its shape and form also means that it functions beautifully as a standalone piece in a room or even as a pair of bedside tables. Like the chair, it can be ordered with or without the drawer.

THE BRODGAR SIDE TABLEGareth Neal

Material: Oak and Straw Dimensions: H 56 x W 46cmPrice:£1950Lead time: 10–12 weeks

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Akiko Hirai is a ceramicist making decorative artworks and tableware. Using Japanese pottery techniques to create contemporary ceramics, her forms are simple and satisfying, with deeply textured surfaces featuring calm, cool colours. Akiko studied at The University of Westminster and Central St Martins, and she is currently the Head of Ceramics at Kensington and Chelsea College. Her studio forms part of The Chocolate Factory N16 in Stoke Newington.

AKIKOHIRAI

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This textured pendant, by Akiko Hiria, is both calm and tactile. Using traditional Japanese pottery techniques, Akiko lets the clay dictate how it should be glazed and fired – this process allows her to find the ideal form for a piece. You are invited to choose from a larger dome-like form (left) or a more rounded shape (right), but both displaying Akiko’s signature faceting technique on the surface. Each light comes as standard with a 1.5-metre rope flex wired for UK standard 230-volts. Alternative fittings are available on request. The bulb not included.

BUOY LAMPAkiko Hirai

Material: Stoneware, White Glaze

Small size, rounded: H 30 x W 20 cmPrice: £1100

Large size, dome: H 38 x W 30 cmPrice: £3800

Lead time: 8–10 weeks

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Based in East Sussex, Annemarie O’Sullivan makes contemporary baskets using ancient British basket-making techniques. She grows around 20 varieties of willow, which she harvests by hand on a half-acre plot near her home. Working from a wooden studio in her garden, Annemarie creates both small-scale domestic objects and larger woven sculptures. Her baskets have been featured in The New York Times, The Irish Times, House and Garden and Country Living.

ANNEMARIEO’SULLIVAN

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Taet Light by Annemarie O’Sullivan was inspired by Anne-marie’s time spent on a residency on the Orkney Islands, organised by The New Craftsmen. Annemarie found herself drawn to the historical grains grown on Orkney, discovering Rye straw was once used in the hat making industry to make bonnets. The natural strength of the straw, which lent itself well to hat making, inspired Annemarie to use it to produce this dynamic, structural light.

Material: Rye straw,Dimensions:

H 60 x L 130 x W 130 cmPrice: £10500Lead time: 8–10 weeks

TAET LIGHTAnnemarie O’Sullivan

Breck Heather Light by Annemarie O’Sullivan was inspired by Annemarie’s time spent on a residency on the Orkney Islands, organised by The New Craftsmen. “Breck” is derived from the old Orcadian word to describe shallow clay ground which stunted heather grows from. Heather has traditionally been used in Orkney to make rope and bas-kets, and known as as a reliable material for thatching roofs.

BRECK HEATHER LIGHTAnnemarie O’Sullivan

Material: Natural HeatherDimensions: H 15 x L 50 x W 50 cmPrice: £2400Lead time: 8–10 weeks

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FITCH & MCANDREW

Douglas Fitch & Hannah McAndrew are slipware potters based in Scotland. Drawing great inspiration on the heritage of British slipware, their pieces showcase traditional techniques applied in a contemporary way. Using a blend of earthenware clay sourced from Devon, where Douglas lived for more than twenty years, Fitch & McAndrew often work with warm palettes of chocolate brown and honey, inspired by their local landscape. All their dishes, pots and jugs are one-off pieces, richly detailed as well as functional.

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HARVEST JUGDoug Fitch & Hannah McAndrew

The inspiration for these Harvest Jugs comes from the traditional Devon Harvest Jugs of the 18th and 19th century. They were naively but beautifully decorated ceremonial vessels used to share wine or cider and toast the harvest gods. Employing the intense and time consuming method of scraffito, Doug’s Harvest Jugs are richly decorated with images of the countryside around us. Personalised jugs can be commissioned with your own poem or quote (POA).

Material: Red Earthenware with Coloured Slips and Honey GlazesDimensions: H 33 x D 24 cmPrice: £2270Lead time: 6–8 weeks

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This characterful vessel is inspired by the Wassail pots that were made at Ewenny in Wales in the late 1800s and early 1900s. They were made to use at Wassail time (also know as harvest time), filled with cider, ribbons tied to each of the handles and taken into the orchards to offer up a toast to the trees and welcome a good harvest the following year.The body of the pot is thrown in a rich red earthenware clay, with the handles, birds and tree decoration are all modeled in the same clay. The body of the pot, once tough enough, is covered in white clay slip. To finish, the whole pot is glazed in a warm yellow glaze.

WASSAIL POTDoug Fitch & Hannah McAndrew

Material: Red Earthenware with Coloured Slips and Honey GlazesDimensions: H 36 x D 24 cmPrice: £1380Lead time: 6–8 weeks

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PELLETED JUGDoug Fitch & Hannah McAndrew

SLIPWARE SERVING DISHDoug Fitch & Hannah McAndrew

The Pellet Jugs are inspired by Medieval pottery which derives Douglas Fitch’s interest in archeology as a boy, when he would often walk the ploughed fields of Northampton-shire looking for pot sherds. The simple use of pellets spaced out across the forms create a dynamic pattern and texture across the surface, enhanced by the flowing glaze. These vessels that can be used for serving liquids, displaying floral arrangements or as a purely decorative piece.

The dishes are thrown and altered on the wheel and decorated with slip trailed birds or fish. Perfect for a Fish Pie or fruit crumble. Decorative slip motif shown in image of fish but bespoke variations can be discussed. These dishes come with a decorative slip motif of a bird or fish as shown in the image but bespoke variations can be discussed (POA).

GREEN PELLETED JUG

Material: Red Clay, Copper Slip, GlazeDimensions: H 34 x W 24 x D 24 cmPrice: £420

TAPERED PELLET JUG

Material: Red Earthenware Clay, SlipDimensions: H 31 x W 17 cmPrice: £420

Lead time: 6–8 weeks

Material: Red Earthenware

Small size: L 22.5 x W 20 x H 4.5 cmPrice: £220

Large size: L 26.5 x W 24.5 x H 4.5 cmPrice: £270

Lead time: 6–8 weeks

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The Good Shepherd is a knitwear company founded in 2013 by RCA graduate Emily Watts. Specialising in hand knitted textiles, the brand creates intricately knitted cushions and throws imbued with a strong sense of British identity, rooted to culture, process and place. The Good Shepherd draws inspiration from the exposed, windswept landscape of the Shetland Islands, following a research trip to Shetland’s northernmost isles where much of Emily’s yarn is sourced.

THE GOODSHEPHERD

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Inspired by a residency at the Bothy Project, these cushions bring to life images from Emily Watts’ time living in the Cairngorms in Scotland. Contrasting monolithic natural forms, with simplified design, each piece is a reflection on seclusion and the desire to cuddle up and hide away. This Iomall cushion has been created using intricately knitted fabrics imbued with a strong sense of British identity; rooted to culture, process and place. Available in Brown & White or Grey & White.

Material: Blue faced Leicester Wool, Shetland Wool, Polyeurathane Detailing, Down FillingDimensions: W 65 x H 65 x D 23 cm (approx)Price: £325Lead time: 6–8 weeks

LARGE SQUARE CUSHIONThe Good Shepherd

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Large Strathan Wool Blanket by The Good Shepherd is a unique throw with hand-woven trim detailing. Inspired by a residency with the Bothy Project (a company that creates remote bothy shelters and spaces in Scotland), this throw brings to life Emily Watts’ time living in the Cairngorms in Scotland. Contrasting monolithic natural forms, with simplified design, each piece is a reflection on seclusion and that desire to cuddle up and hide away. The blanket has been created using intricately knitted fabrics imbued with a strong sense of British identity rooted to culture, process, and place. Custom sizes can be made, POA.

LARGE STRATHAN WOOL BLANKETThe Good Shepherd

Material: Blue-faced Leicester and Shetland woolDimensions: W 185 x L 185 cmPrice: £1900Lead time: 6–8 weeks

Each cushion cover is crafted from pure British Wool, left un-dyed to showcase the natural colours, which has been sourced entirely from the Shetland Islands with some of the wool made specially to commission in Yorkshire. Each cushion from this collection is named after a peak in the Scottish Highlands. Available in Cairngorm and Braeriach Design and in Ecru, Peat, Dark Grey & Fawn colourways.

Material: Shetland Wool, Feather Filling

Dimensions: H 15 x L 60 x W 60 cm

Price: £820Lead time: 6–8 weeks

FLOOR CUSHIONThe Good Shepherd

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Malgorzata Bany is a London-based artist and designer specialising in Jesmonite. Working across a wide range of disciplines including sculpture, furniture and homewares her work adheres to the principles of sensuality, tactility and minimalism. Malgorzata’s work has frequently been described as blurring the lines between art and design. Having completed her MA at The Slade School of Fine Art, Malgorzata continues to work in association with the University College London to develop her own pigments and research materials.

MALGORZATA BANY

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The Jade collection of handles were designed to elevate bespoke cabinetry with smooth and abstract forms. The collection was developed by Malgorzata after time spent in the city of Florence, Italy. Inspired by Florentine architecture and the very fabric of the city itself; including the voluminous roughly carved stone facades, sharp returns of vaulted ceilings, lustre smooth surfaces of polished stone sculptures, as well as time-based effects of erosion and decay of the historical city. These smooth, pebble-like handles encapsulate the essence of Malgorzata’s visceral experience of the city. They can be ordered in three different sizes and are available in ‘shale’ (grey) or ‘marl’ (white)

THE JADE COLLECTION OF HANDLES Malgorzata Bany

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JADE HANDLE (SMALL)Material: Jesmonite Size: H 5 x L 4 x W 12.5 cmPrice: £200Lead time: 4–6 weeks

JADE HANDLE (MEDIUM)Material: Jesmonite Size: H 3 x L 13 x W 16 cmPrice: £240Lead time: 4–6 weeks

JADE HANDLE (LARGE)Material: Jesmonite Size: H 3 x L 10.5 x W 33 cmPrice: £280Lead time: 4–6 weeks

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If you have seen something that belongs in your dream retreat or would like to share your ideas for commissions with us, please contact our Private Sales Manager, Nicholas Rogers.

To begin the conversation, please think about the following: 1. Choose your favourite product 2. Decide on sizing and colour, where applicable 3. Provide any reference imagery which helps bring the idea to life 4. Give us an idea of your budget 5. Let us know of an ideal delivery timeframe or any time constraints which we should take into account 6. Your preferred method of communication

Nicholas is looking forward to receiving your email. Please contact her on nicholas@thenewcraftsmen.com

COMMISSIONING CRAFT AT THE NEW CRAFTSMEN

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