STYLE MAKERS Meet textile designer Carys Briggs and furniture maker Andrew Mason, the team at Stoff Studios

Carys Briggs is a textile designer, Andrew Mason a furniture-maker – as Stoff Studios, they focus on uplifting print and gorgeous form

In their light and breezy Thames-side studio in south-east London, textile designer Carys Briggs and furnituremaker Andrew Mason are enjoying their calm space. It’s here that the creative energy for their finely finished furniture and lively print textiles – the trademarks of Stoff Studios – is in full flow. It’s a happy dovetailing of skills. ‘When it came to my final project at art college, which is where we met,’ says Carys, ‘we decided to make a couple of one-off pieces together: a screen-printed stool and a laminated daybed. We really enjoyed working as a team and realised we benefited from each other’s input. That was how it began; it was all quite organic.’

The creative duo are bound by their relentless curiosity. ‘If we ever buy any furniture, Andy will immediately get down on the floor to look underneath the item,’ says Carys. Meanwhile, Carys is more interested in colours, textures and shapes. ‘She has always collected things – vintage china, old books, found objects such as stones, even plastic,’ says Andrew.

From sublimely simple daybeds, shelving units and pin-sharp graphic cushions to stylish stationery and artful drinking glasses, Stoff Studios’ creations have an airiness and a sense of harmony about them.

‘Because we also live together,’ says Carys, ‘we talk about what we’re working on – a lot. Sometimes that’s

‘What I aim to do is capture the feeling I have when I'm really inspired by something'

good for getting things done, but other times we have to be careful we’re not constantly talking about work!’

In their downtime, the pair travel to places that inspire them, such as the Stonehenge & Avebury World Heritage Site in Wiltshire, as well as heading out in their self-styled ‘rather embarrassing’ campervan, and taking in maker shows and art exhibitions in London. ‘There always seems to be something new to excite us – we’re forever looking at how colour and form are used,’ says Andrew.

Four years into their professional partnership and they’re finely tuned to how the other ticks – both need quiet time in the studio to focus on their projects, whether it’s exploring a palette inspired by a vintage book cover or working out how a furniture joint will hold and look pleasing.

And when it comes to the making process, each has their own definition and experience of joy. For Andrew, it’s the fascination of how things are put together. More recently, it’s also been about finding a source for locally felled timber to construct his furniture – London plane and sweet chestnut from Croydon have been chosen, among others – and appreciating how the qualities of his new wood will work to best advantage. And for Carys: ‘What I aim to do is capture the feeling I have when I’m really inspired by something. That really makes me want to make something.’

For more information, go to stoffstudios.com

OPPOSITE Carys and Andrew in their south-east London studio THIS PAGE With different creative skills, the duo work together to create beautifully finished furniture pieces and vibrant print textiles, taking inspiration from their travels, art exhibitions and maker shows