If the name Flawk rings a bell, that’s because it has designed no less than three homes currently on the market with us: Lamble Street, Wilsham Street and Lode (pictured above). The studio is defined by its playful design aesthetic, and its work to transform under-loved sites into thoughtful expressions of community, craftsmanship and free-flowing creativity. The studio also designs and sells objects for the home, hosts events, and produces its own zine, Scura.

Words Ashley Law

James Shaw handles

James Shaw’s designs simply bring me joy. Our designs at Flawk are refined yet playful, and James’ objects really enhance that playfulness. Although the handles are hard, they look soft, almost like toothpaste or marshmallow – there’s something about them that feels so tactile and sensory. He works with recycled plastic, which is double goodness.

Jira project management software

Jira is the project management software we use to organise our team and the various projects and spaces we work across. We only started using it recently, but now the whole team is addicted. People can see the tasks that are assigned to them and the deadlines and priority levels, all in one place. It has an app so it’s great if I’m on the go, and it’s a really helpful way to check the progress of various projects in the spaces between our team meetings.

Pith Yuzu sketchbook

This sketchbook has exposed bindings that allow each open page to lay completely flat – one of life’s simple pleasures. The paper is thick enough, and it has barely visible dots that help you to write or sketch neatly. I find grid patterns too invasive – they make it difficult to see your design – whereas these dots are perfect.

Chop Chop laser cutters

We use laser cutting a lot in our designs; many of our stair handles and grill vents are created using this process. Chop Chop supplies the metal, and the more items you get cut, the cheaper the price. They’re based in London and their usual lead time is just a few days, which is great if you’re working to a tight deadline. Laser cutting enables us to add unique details to our projects, with playful shapes and designs.

Deparel knitted sketchbook cover

Deparel are an Amsterdam-based duo that knit with a stretchy elastane fabric. They make clothes too, and their products can be customised so you can choose your favourite colour combinations. It’s like clothing for your sketchbook, and when I get a new sketchbook I just put the same cover on it. It has a page marker and it can be tied up too – great if you have any loose pieces of paper floating around in your sketchbook.

Merrell x Gramicci Moab 2 Siren trainers

These are my go-to trainers for site visits. They’re designed for hiking, so they’re hardy outdoor shoes. Often the sites we visit are extremely muddy or we’ll be pouring foundations, so it’s important to have a reliable pair of water-resistant shoes. I also love the fact that they’re easy to slip on an off, and I thought the design was cute and playful.

Bob door numbers

These door numbers are an easy way to add fun to a project. I see the entrance to a home as an icebreaker. If you don’t know someone or it’s the first time you’re visiting their home, playful details like these door numbers are a talking point and help to put people at ease before crossing the threshold and entering the house. They’re inspired by those inflatable air dancers you see outside car dealerships. I went to an exhibition in Rotterdam and there was a section of things that would inflate and deflate, and it put a smile on my face.

Pocket tape measure (2m)

This tiny tape measure has definitely come in handy on plenty of occasions. I use a laser when I need to measure large spaces, but this one is perfect for smaller measurements, and for understanding the scale of things – like the size of a brick, the placement of a letterbox, or the width of vent grills on the street. Every time I see a two-metre tape measure I buy one; you can clip them to your trousers or keys, adding a Mini Sharpie for a site-proof duo.

HÅG office chair

These are the best office chairs. You can adjust the angle of the back rest and the depth of the chair, and they are so comfortable. You can sit on them normally, sideways or with the backrest against your chest if you feel like switching it up. I love the design, and they come in a variety of colours and materials.

Flawk is a design studio founded by Ashley Law in 2022 after graduating from the Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Its outputs include spaces, objects, and collectable design – each defined by freewheeling creativity and playful refinement. Its designs are driven by play, curiosity and rigour. Moving fluidly between scales, it pay as much attention to a door handle as to a building’s façade, allowing ideas to travel between projects and be refined over time; @flawk__

Picture credits: James Shaw Studio/Cal Cowie/Deparel/Ashley Law/Jasper Fry/Flokk