GILDED TREASURE

Eagle-eyed visitors to elegant establishments such as Spring restaurant at Somerset House, legendary stationer Smythson or several Harvey Nichols branches may have spotted lustrous decorative glass panels on the walls: these are handcrafted surfaces by Emma Peascod, a designer-maker who combines the ancient French technique of verre églomisé ( gilding the reverse side of glass) with Japanese washi paper. From her Hackney studio, Peascod builds beautiful works layer by layer, applying metal leaf and paint pigments. She has just launched her debut furniture and lighting collection, entitled ‘Highlight’, which includes five Art Deco-inspired pieces. Choose from four glass finishes (we like ‘Emerald Magma’, above), polished brass or patinated bronze metalwork, and walnut or sycamore details. From £1,600 for a table lamp (studiopeascod.com).