Inspiring Collaborations Turn Paper To Glass + More
McCollin Bryan creates artful pieces with Holly Hunt, Naoto Fukasawa brings his aesthetic to B&B Italia, and New Ravenna transforms Gracie classics.
HOLLY HUNT X MCCOLLIN BRYAN
British design duo Don McCollin and Maureen Bryan’s partnership grew out of a passion for highlighting the individual qualities of the materials they use, as well as creating something new and unexpected. Their devotion to materiality, shape and function make them a perfect fit in the Holly Hunt portfolio. The designers create distinctive designs that call on their backgrounds in textiles and ceramics, with McCollin exploring surface textures and patterns, and Bryan focusing on sculptural forms. Using traditional materials and processes such as scagliola—a Roman technique from the 18th century that imitates marble—they produce small batches, limited editions, and unique pieces that are works of art for the home. hollyhunt.com
The Coffee Bean table is hand-cast in plaster, using the Roman scagliola method, and comes in sizes that range from cloud to pebble.
Left + Center: The Barbarella Bench (here and above left) is available with an acid lemon or silver/bronze resin cushion and a matte black base. The bench comes in one, two or three seat versions.
Right: The Aurora screen is a variation on the duo’s iconic Lens table. The oval shapes are rendered in soft colors, and are made from highly-polished resin backed with tinted mirrors.
B&B ITALIA X NAOTO FUKASAWA
Renowned industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa has a history of collaboration with B&B Italia, bringing his Japanese design aesthetic to the storied Italian brand. His new collection of outdoor furniture, Ayana, is inspired by the ancestral designs of his native land. Pieces are made from natural, unpainted teak, which ages and evolves, revealing the intrinsic characteristics of this material. The structures have invisible joints held together by wooden pins instead of metal hardware, adding to both the beauty and the function: as the hardy wood expands and contracts with the weather, metal would cause irreversible cracking or deformation. The line includes seating in addition to dining and coffee tables. bebitalia.com
NEW RAVENNA X GRACIE
New Ravenna is collaborating with Gracie—makers of handpainted wallpaper since 1898—to reproduce five of the storied brand’s designs in glass mosaics. The Gracie Collection’s spectacularly detailed designs represent international historic themes, from Roman and Chinese antiquity, the late Japanese Edo period, and French Art Deco, among others. Studium’s David Meitus says, “This collaboration marries the past and present in a truly unique way. The mosaics are truly incredible to see in person, and we’re so proud to be the exclusive source for this collection in New York City.” Through Studium. studiumnyc.com
Left: Waves is inspired by a 17th century Japanese screen.
Center: Linda’s Garden features jewel Agate, Amber, Citrine, Jade, Tourmaline, Jasper, and Sea Glass Serpentine, among other glass mosaic tiles.
Right: French Deco in jewel Absolute White and honed Dawn Mirror.