STYLE COLUMNIST
MINNIE KEMP PONDERS THE POWER OF COLLABORATION AND HOW THE BEST IDEAS SEEM TO COME FROM TWOS. HERE ARE HER DYNAMIC DUOS…
Minnie Kemp on her most inspirational and dynamic duos
My love life is rather tumultuous. Leos are supposed to be the kings and queens of the celestial jungle, passionate, vivacious and theatrical – so why, more often than not, does it feel more Scarecrow Wizard of Oz vibes? After much thought and deliberation, plus the partially bonkers purchase of two long-haired dachshunds, Frida and Diego, I’ve come to the conclusion – could the answer be three?
A throuple is three people who have agreed to be in a loving, romantic relationship. Think Judith Light in Netflix’s The Politician. This month I’d like to write an open love letter to the creative couples and duos who, if I could I would…
Eliza Hopewell and Theo Vass are two artists who met two years ago in Milan. Since then they have collaborated to create furniture pieces and their own ‘artist house’ in Brockley, south London. Theo is more sculptural working with wood, framing and carpentry, while Eliza is a painter who creates illustrative, colourful pieces on furniture, walls, canvas, plates, textiles – you name it. Theo’s carpentry is self-taught, taking inspiration from the work of Roberto Burle Marx and the traverse between art and functionality. This crossover is evident in the joinery details and design that the creative duo have installed in their bedroom. Eliza’s flowing illustrations sit dreamlike below an elaborate historic frieze detail. I love the contrast between the midnight blue, burnt orange and fresh yet sludgy limewash walls.
They have recently started making Wedge tables; after many long evenings sitting on wibbly wobbly tables, the stable couple had the idea of making a table with a permanent yet adjustable wedge. Solid as a rock. The inlaid tiled top comes in different hand-painted illustrations by Eliza.
Swedish designer Anny Wang and architect Tim Söderström are based in Copenhagen and run an art and design practice focusing on digital and physical exploration and fabrication. This often results in mind-boggling 3D renders but also the creation of physical objects. Wang & Söderström have done a collection of objects for Hay that serve as miniature pieces of art. The organic forms are familiar but there is an alien unfamiliarity that comes from their digital roots. The pieces would look fabulous on some old butchers’ wood side tables. I cannot wait to see what this clever duo come up with next.
Ruby Woodhouse and Abel Sloane are the founders of 1 9 3 4, a London-based practice that deals in 20th-century design, furniture design, sourcing, consultation and writing. The couple have published a book about British furniture maker Gerald Summers called The Simple Heart of Plywood. I love their Instagram and always find some amazing antiques that just somehow end up in my kitchen.
Last one, a duo not a couple, and related: twins Nikolai and Simon Haas are The Haas brothers – designers, based in Los Angeles, whose sculptural works really blur the line between art and design. Just look at that bath – hand-carved in Portugal from Pele de Tigre marble, it’s a sculpture you can bathe in and I’m completely in love with it!
Hold your horses… A realisation – how could I be so stupid! It’s not about three at all… It’s all about one and one thing only – that beautiful bath. At only $350K, I better start saving!
Eliza’s flowing illustrations sit dreamlike below an elaborate historic frieze detail. I love it!