The furniture makers designing forever pieces

We round up the furniture makers who are individually inspired by the 1970s, a free-spirited feeling, the evil eye, Portuguese design, and Arthur C. Clarke’s novel The Sentinel—each one elevating their craft by creating unique pieces that would look perfectly in place in an art gallery. Characterized by attention to detail and often hand-finished, you’ll want to keep these special items.

Bohemian 72 Collection By Gabriella Crespi

Italian designer Gabriella Crespi would have turned 100 this year. To mark the occasion Gubi has released the Bohemian 72 collection. Crespi worked with rattan and bamboo, designing versatile furniture for what she called her “house of the sun.”

During her lifetime the pieces—inspired by her love of natural materials and sculptural forms—were only available to private clients. As its name suggests the collection was designed in the spring of 1972, with Crespi working from the terrace of her Milan home. Comprising a lounge chair, three-seater sofa, ottoman, and floor lamp, it is the culmination of Crespi’s career-long mission to create furniture that seamlessly unites indoor and outdoor living.

Ethimo And Studiopepe's Sling Chair

Like Crespi’s rattan furniture, Ethimo and Studiopepe’s Sling chair nods to the 1970s. This time it was a vintage camping kit that inspired a piece that the furniture makers hope has a free-spirited feel.

Its stainless-steel structure is available in four shades, including warm red and sepia black, while its seat is available in four fabric options—black, sand, white, and stone—making the chair highly customizable. A footstool and coffee table, with matching steel frame and pigmented concrete top, are also available.

Simon Stewart's Charles Burnand Gallery

Former classical musician Simon Stewart caught the design bug while on vacation with his interiors-savvy mother. Now championing an international group of artists, designers, and furniture makers, Stewart has just opened London’s Charles Burnand gallery to act as a showcase for their one-off, limited-edition, and bespoke creations.

“Our gallery shows our pieces in one place, allowing our clients to engage with us, and is also a dedicated space where we can work with designers, architects, and collectors to bring their ideas to fruition,” says Stewart.