Eye for Design: east London’s best design dealers, makers and curators
Where might you find an angular steel chair by a rising Nigerian designer, a surreal shark-shaped perch by a self-trained maker, a trio of boxy corrugated-cardboard tables by Frank Gehry or a 1980s Japanese-inspired paper lamp made in Germany? The answer is east London. Over the past few years, this corner of the capital has rapidly evolved into a hub and haven for makers, dealers, curators and the like, with many launching design-led businesses in Hackney and its borders – from gallery spaces that double as stores to appointment-only showrooms. As a result, it’s fast become our favourite place to buy furniture, objects and art. Here are 12 brilliant reasons why.
1. M. Kardana
Mario Kardana’s expertise is 20th-century design. He thoughtfully sources furniture from across the UK and Europe to fill his namesake store on Hackney Road, which opened in 2021. Here, you’re as likely to come across leg-shaped side tables and brutalist sculptures as you are a mosaic coffee table or a hand-carved limestone relief. The British-born, Cyprus-raised dealer curates his findings over two floors: head to the first for postmodernist pieces and downstairs for a particularly colourful and maximalist assortment of goods. While it’s open for browsing on the weekend, be sure to book a slot from Monday to Friday.
2. Dudley Waltzer
Who says simple design can’t be playful? At Dudley Waltzer on Goldsmiths Row, the two aesthetics come hand in hand in such pieces as a clean two-tone sofa in emerald and sapphire, an S-shaped marigold-coloured chair, or Klaus Wettergren writing desk with inverted triangles for legs. The gallery also champions a roster of emerging artists and designers – including our friend, ceramicist Abid Javed – through its programme of exhibitions. Visit at your leisure on the weekend and by appointment during the week.
3. Monument Store
Pleasing earthy tones and natural materials that age with elegance define the palette at Monument Store. The project is the brainchild of New Zealand natives Leah Forsyth-Steel and Victoria Spicer, who have a mutual appreciation for artistic craftsmanship, architecture and form. Situated in a corner of an industrial site in Leyton, there are only weekday appointments on offer to view their collection of beautiful mahogany-wood pieces, exquisite stone sculptures, hand-crafted ceramics and the like. The duo is also available to lend their curatorial eye to private sourcing and consulting.
4. The Peanut Vendor
The Peanut Vendor has been a fixture of the design circuit since dealers Barny Read and Becky Nolan founded the company in 2008. The couple searches the continent for early to late 20th-century furniture and design, which you can pore over at their brilliant Bow-based showroom. From a constructivist chair to a Memphis-era lamp, a surrealist sculpture to 1960s dressing mirror, the plethora of objects and furniture is as surprising as it is delightful. A caveat: here, the rarest jewels are for hire only. Email ahead to book a weekday appointment and keep your eyes peeled for design-led exhibitions at the space.
5. The Radford Gallery
The Radford Gallery might not have a permanent space, but that makes its physical shows even more special. When its eponymous founder Max Radford launched the platform in 2020, he felt he was far too used to seeing the work of his favourite contemporary makers on Instagram. While the latter is where he built his network, he’s more interested in championing artists and designers in real life through shows, at which visitors are allowed to touch the objects on display. His inaugural exhibition, hosted at Hackney Downs Studios, saw him support artisans such as EJR Barnes, Katy Johnston, Carsten in der Elst, Jaclyn Pappalardo and Lewis Kemmeno; his sophomore, titled ‘Hard Knocks’, is coming this summer.
6. Atelier LK
Atelier LK is the transatlantic design studio with one foot on the ground in New York and the other in Hackney. When co-founders Ruby Kean, an artist and interior designer, and Lisa Jones, a former fashion buyer, were introduced by mutual friends, it seemed only natural they would work together. Sharing enthusiasm for 20th-century design, simple forms and plush textures, they evolved their friendship and partnership over the phone during lockdown (with Ruby in the States and Lisa in the UK). But it was at No. 34 Malvern Road, the former home of artist Ron Hitchins, that they made their mark on the scene. Their beautifully curated interiors takeover featured originally commissioned pieces by woodworker Grain & Knot, interior designer Fred Rigby and artist Daniel Reynolds. Now, the duo is available for residential and commercial interior design, art direction and consultancy.
7. EJR Barnes
The furniture created by the self-trained maker and researcher Elliot Barnes can be described as subversive with a sense of humour. His work is incredibly varied and unpredictable, but always intriguing – just look at his material spectrum, which includes (but is certainly not limited to) polished stainless steel, oak, glass, maple burr veneer, limestone, leather, paint. At times, it can even take more than a glance to conclude how one of his objects might function, as they often appear more akin to surreal sculptures than furniture. Get in touch with Elliot through his website for more information.
8. Spazio Leone
A triangular floor mirror by Giuseppe Raimondi, the 1986 Feltri chair by Gaetano Pesce, a curly cartoon room divider by Luigi Baroli: the offbeat, artistic designs at Spazio Leone within Hackney Downs Studios are a testament to founder Gennaro Leone’s love of cult Italian design. But this gallery space is also home to one-off, genre-defying objects, too. The thing that unites everything under the roof, however, is quality craftsmanship and functionality. Secure an appointment by email or Instagram to visit the showroom, which opened its doors in February 2022.
9. Oswalde
Founded in 2020 by east London resident Jenna Fletcher, Oswalde (a Jamaican family name), is an Instagram-based furniture store and consulting agency. The carefully sourced stock is an assortment of distinctive revolutionary Italian design and works by up-and-coming makers from near and far, including south London’s Andu Masebo and Lagos-based Nmbello Studio.
10. A New Tribe
Situated on Hackney Road is A New Tribe, the homeware store selling a vibrant selection of ceramics, rugs, textiles and artful objects. Its founder, Ella Jones, takes inspiration from her travels to Japan and Morocco, which underpins the aesthetic of her shop. A trip to A New Tribe, then, might mean discovering sculptural planters by Spanish maker Marissa McInturff of Mari Masot, a hand-painted vase by Casablanca-born artist Bouchra Boudoua, or one-of-a-kind Berber rugs – arguably, their signature pieces.
11. Two Poems
The self-taught photographer Toby Ziff only launched Two Poems on Instagram in 2021 – not that you’d know, given its sizable following. It’s here he shares a selection of the post-war modernist objects, ceramics and art he has for sale. But in order to discover all his brilliant finds, book an appointment to visit his showroom behind Broadway Market, which, he says, is “packed to the rafters” with his treasures. In particular, Toby has an affinity for British pottery and handmade sculptures.
RELATED ON THE MODERN HOUSE
Our Guide to Oxford: cinnamon buns, honey-hued domes and small plates in the 'city of dreaming spires'
Our guide to Kentish Town: Technicolor townhouses, natural wine and nature in north London
Take a Dip: London’s best swimming spots – from lakes to lidos
Our Guide to Dulwich: from modernist architecture to master paintings
Plate in the Sun: London’s best restaurants for alfresco dining
Our guide to Herne Hill and Tulse Hill: vibrant markets and outdoor swimming in south London
Best Buds: the most beautiful garden centres in London
Good Start: the best breakfasts in London
Our guide to Camden Town and Primrose Hill: from panoramic views to a community ceramics space
Nice Slice: the best pizza in London