furnish.co.uk

The Magazine, Spotlight On: Duffy London

by Emma Foale, August 17, 2010

Under the heat of the spotlight, we showcase the best of Duffy London’s furnishings.
Duffy London is an idea-based company that thrives on ideas not only based on similar themes and concepts but designs that are completely unique.

Chris Duffy, a graduate of the University of Brighton, has always harbored a love of making and designing products, and with his own studio in east London he has achieved his dream of having his own space to work in.

Chris Duffy has created this company with the aim to encourage inventive and exciting designs that aren’t pinned down by boundaries. He has had a love for designing and making things ever since he was a young child: “I was always making crazy bikes, karts and boats while everyone else was playing football. I remember my junior school teacher asking me what I wanted to do when I grow up, and I said that I wanted to be an inventor.” Chris’ inquisitive mind drove his ambition to create his own business.

With regards to where his inspiration comes from, he said “when you have been designing for a long time, you see that all design is a process, usually a very long one, and not just an inspiration, although that does occasionally happen.”

The collection includes a range of furniture, lighting, wallpaper and interior products which are predominantly designed by Chris Duffy himself, although he draws inspiration and ideas from designers that he works with. All products are handmade to order or bespoke, and they are all manufactured in the UK. One of Chris Duffy’s ‘Hero’ products is the Double-sided Hanging Chandelier Glo-Canvas which provides a stunning statement piece to hang above a dining table. It can be hung from ceiling light fittings, and to create a warm ambience each frame is installed with low energy strip lights that illuminate the Chandelier print from within. Digitally printed onto 100% cotton, the image is stretched over both sides of a wooden frame, giving a modern twist on the chandelier and the conventional use of canvases.

The LAB Lamp is one of Duffy London’s newest products for 2010; it’s made from genuine laboratory parts giving it an authentic style. It is available as either a desk/table or a floor lamp and is ideal for task lighting or it can simply be used as an innovative feature piece. The light is provided by an eco bulb, and the flask is sand blasted Pyrex.

I love the quirky personality of the Shadow chair, which was launched at the Milan Salone Satellite in April 2009, because its intelligent design integrates shadow into its structure. The chair appears to defy gravity by standing on just two front legs, however with a closer look the shadow is made from steel which is attached to metal frame built inside the chair. It has a very modernist look; it plays with the representation of space and light and our perception of these things, making us question what is ‘real’. When placed in an interior space it comes into a life of its own, and will certainly make your guests look twice.

Duffy London has strong eco-credentials and Chris explained to us why he believes in the benefits of UK manufacturing: “I think it is important because it makes it possible to get a design from your head and into the shops in a very short space of time, keeping ideas and products fresh, updated, changing and improving, which is never as easy to do if you have products made in China for instance. Eco-friendly design is important not just for the obvious reasons, but because it shows an idea has been thought through properly, any design like this will take into account manufacturing processes, transportation, import duties etc.”

Coming soon...

Duffy London will be launching a new dining table at London Design Week in September 2010. This new furniture piece will be another unique addition to the collection; the design cleverly incorporates its runners as its structure by having them run the full length of the table, falling off the edge to become the legs. The juxtaposition of the steel thin legs with the sturdy walnut table top gives an illusion of weightlessness, as if the table is floating.

Duffy London products are available on furnish.co.uk and in many outlets in the UK and around the world.


Woodsman Axe Coffee Table

A British design collective led by artist Chris Duffy created a whole set of furniture in the theme of the Brothers Grimm. As you can see, these scary-fairy tales inspired unique designs. The Woodsman Axe coffee table features Hickory axe handle legs and an Oak or Walnut surface. This collection won the prestigious Peta Levi Memorial Bursary Award 2010.

www.werd.com 29-05-2001


Silhouette chandelier lampshade Duffy London
by Alexandra Toso on March 19, 2010

One of the best design companies that get the balance right time and time again is Duffy London. From their fun insect-inspired Millibed to the Storm In A Teacup, they’ve got it nailed. But right now one of our fave products is this Silhouette Chandelier Lampshade.

Available in Black or White – this lampshade isn’t just a pretty face; oh no it’s got a special secret. The lampshade has a chandelier design silhouette which, with the light switched off, isn’t that amazing, but turn it on and the silhouette comes to life.
Ideal if you don’t have room for a fancy chandelier, this shade will work well in rooms across the home and is the perfect way to add some humorous charm to your interior.



3rings Architecture + Design, By Joseph Starr - Friday, August 7th, 2009

Duffy London’s Gravity-Defying Shadow Chair

I’ll admit that I’m a bit stumped by Duffy London’s enigmatically-named Shadow Chair. Not because I’m in any way chagrined by a potentially dubious utility—though the apparent “two-legged” construction would seem to have certain pitfalls as regards functionality; nor because I recoil from the easy gimmick. Just have a look at Him/Her or the Armadillo Chair to confirm my affection for “thematic” pieces. To the contrary, my consternation vis a vis the Shadow Chair concerns exactly how to quantify/qualify it, such are its manifold charms.

First glance has me aligning it with the great roster of cantilevered pieces. This lineage spans from Verner Panton’s signature Panton Chair to Konstantin Grcic’s clever Myto. Then, of course, there’s the ripe legacy of minimal appendage—best exemplified in Walter Papst’s seminal 3-legged chair, and recently re-visited in last winter’s Tolima Chair by Will Oltman.

But to do true justice to the Shadow Chair, I find myself resorting to my literary roots: in Haruki Murakami’s fable, Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World, reality splits in two, and the bodily Achilles Heel of one of these two worlds is one’s shadow, which can be forcibly removed with the right know how and a very sharp knife. In this world, if you lose your shadow, you lose your soul—your memories, your wit, your sense of humor, your unique personality. The “shadowless” become shades of their former selves, leading dreary, drab humorless lives until they wither and die.

One imagines it much the same with Duffy London’s piece. For, if you haven’t intuited it by now, the “shadow” in sharp relief beneath the chair (as if it were perpetually pursued by a malevolent indoor sun) is the piece’s structural heart, not to mention its metaphorical heart and soul. The floor-bound steel sheet is actually integrated into the chair’s metal core, thus giving it the requisite functional stability for a cantilevered piece. And anyone can see that if some mean-hearted metalsmith were to excise the shadow, the chair would simply tip over and die, the aesthetic appeal of its expertly joined Forest Stewardship Council Walnut notwithstanding.

Thankfully, that’s easier said than done (for all intents and purposes, the integrated metal makes the chair extremely durable). So this is one shadow that will remain part and parcel of the whole, giving you years of “amaze your friends and houseguests” frivolity, while providing a handsome and stylish chair to boot!

3rings Architecture + Design, By Joseph Starr - Friday, August 7th, 2009



If making light is an art, then this company is an art historian. The Glo-Chandelier depicts a classic Georgian sparkler on paint-worthy cotton canvas stretched over a frame, available in four sizes starting at 25½ inches square, and backlit by ultra-slim fluorescents. Traditional table lamps get a similar treatment in Cut out Lamp Shade, with black or white canvas silhouettes laminated onto translucent plastic 25½ inches square. If those artful approaches inspire you to try it yourself, consider Stick-It, a DIY plastic lamp shade with which you can create any sort of collage or design. duffylondon.com.

interiordesign.net, September 16th 2008



Brilliant is the best way to describe the Chandelier Glo Canvas by British designer Christopher Duffy. Based in England, Duffy London offers a variety of amazing illuminated canvases and other chandelier-inspired pieces including wallpaper. International orders are no problem.

hgtv.com, October 12th 2008



“UK design company Duffy London scoffs at the very idea that light need only emanate from sconces, lamps and fixtures. One look and youll see why their glo-canvases hang in the hottest hotels and homes both here and abroad. These fabulous frames combine art and function: A gorgeous digital print with tiny fluorescents built inside, providing a gentle glow. Your eyes will pop at the way this chandelier lights up a room, no dusting, bulb changing or crystal replacement necessary.”

thenestmaker.com, July 4, 2007.



"One of the best for quality and value"
The Sunday Times, January 23rd 2005


Momentum Events Product: Bespoke office lampshades

Here at Momentum Events, we’re often hired to take care of brand launches, event production and, more recently, interior design for the likes of Virgin Media, Nintendo and the BBC. Whenever possible, we like to work with Chris Duffy to help make these events spectacular – and he always delivers the goods. From bespoke office lampshades to custom–made canvas prints and digitally printed wallpaper, everything is of the very highest quality.

My Duffy London experience

In recent years we have produced a number of events for UKTV, including the launch of their Dave TV channel. We were also commissioned to redesign their entire office space – a job we were delighted to undertake with Chris Duffy’s help. Chris designed bespoke lampshades for each department within the office, giving each area its own visual identity.

The great thing about Chris’s products, including his office lampshades, is that they are always unusual, expertly produced and tailor made to the customer’s requirements. We particularly liked his bespoke printed wallpaper designs, which are always incredibly striking.
Chris is also a real pleasure to work with, not least because he tolerates the fact that we’re always changing our minds! More importantly, he genuinely understands our needs and goes out of his way to make sure everything is perfect. With Chris, you receive the best possible customer service from start to finish. I hope we’ll get to work with him on another exciting project soon!

Federico Pontoni, Milan, Product: Handcrafted coffee tables

Background

Living in Milan, I’m no stranger to beautifully designed furniture; my house currently features pieces by the likes of Cappellini, Poltrona Frau and Vitra. Despite this, I’m always bowled over by the quality of Chris Duffy’s work. His handmade coffee tables, in particular, are spectacular.

My Duffy London experience

I first became aware of Duffy London at the Salone Internazionale del Mobile in 2005, where he exhibited a number of bespoke coffee tables. Immediately, I was struck by the fresh style, the smart ideas and the versatility of the furniture. You see, I love customised design with personality – and that’s exactly what you get from Duffy London. The handcrafted coffee tables are unlike anything else I’ve seen.
To date, I’ve bought six items: four for myself and two as gifts. It’s fair to say I’m hooked but it’s a wonderful addiction.

The ingenuity at the heart of Chris’s designs is sensational. Just look at the new range of hand crafted coffee tables if you don’t believe me! Whenever you place an order with Duffy London, you know you’re getting something of the very highest quality; something that will be as practical as it is aesthetically pleasing. If you’re considering ordering a custom-built coffee table from Duffy London, here’s my advice: just take a chance, you won’t regret it.

Hayley Rowland, Middlesex, Product: Designer bedroom lamps (Glo Canvas)

Background

I’ve lived in my flat for 10 years and I’ve really stamped my personality on it. But because every detail in every room is to my taste, it can sometimes be difficult to acquire new pieces. Simply put, I’ve become quite difficult to please!

My Duffy London experience

I stumbled across Duffy London via MyDeco.com when I was looking for a designer bedroom lamp. As soon as I saw their bespoke products, I was struck by the freshness of the design. In fact, I don’t know of another company to rival Duffy London in terms of originality, particularly when it comes to their designer bedroom lamps. I recall I spent a while browsing the website, but the piece that really grabbed me was the Vintage Shade Mini Glo-Canvas. To me, the idea of using a canvas as a designer bedroom lamp is inspired and it looks fantastic.

The illuminated artworks are a great innovation in interior design. But with Duffy London, it’s not just about the exquisite pieces. It’s also about the wonderful customer service. Chris’s passion for his work is plain to see – and that’s so important in a designer. He puts his heart and soul into every creation and I guess that’s why his work stands out against everything else I’ve seen.

Frederik Andersen, Executive Creative Director of Story Worldwide Product: Bespoke handmade light fixtures.

As a leading marketing agency, we work with some of the biggest and most exciting brands in the world. From my perspective, it’s important that our design studio inspires creativity, reflects the vibrancy of our agency and impresses our clients. With the help of Duffy London, it now achieves all of this and more.

My Duffy London experience

Towards the end of 2009, I went online and searched for bespoke handmade light fixtures for our office. Sadly, everything I found looked ridiculous or cheap (and in some cases ridiculously cheap). Eventually, however, I stumbled across the Duffy London website and knew immediately I was in the right place.

From the start, Chris seemed to understand what we were looking for and he was able to suggest a range of beautiful designs. Eventually, I placed an order for 15 handcrafted light fixtures – all specially–made for our agency’s office space.

The illuminated artworks are a great innovation in interior design. But with Duffy London, it’s not just about the exquisite pieces. It’s also about the wonderful customer service. Chris’s passion for his work is plain to see – and that’s so important in a designer. He puts his heart and soul into every creation and I guess that’s why his work stands out against everything else I’ve seen.

Emma 19 January 2011

I knew I was going to love it but.....ITS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!!! It’s like nothing I have ever seen before and gives a very cool, funky, modern glow to the room. Thanks for all the help you have given me and I will definitely be back again, an amazing piece of art and totally different.


2005

Artravel International
Bellb
Evening Standard
Metro – 16/8/2005
Sunday Times – 23/1/2005
Time Out
Wallpaper – 7/2005
Wall Street Journal Europe – 8/4/2005

2006

Vanity Fair
Ad and Four Homes
Casa Basic
Daily Mail – 5/3/2006
Elle Decoration – 3/2006
Elle Decoration
Evening Standard
Telegraph Magazine – 16/9/2006
Elle
Grand Designs – 4/2006
Imagine Interiors
Junior – 9/2006
Nest Maker – 4/7/2006
Living etc – 5/2006
Spaces – Issue 17 2006
Observer - 18/3/2006
Telegraph Magazine – 22/7/2006
Guardian
Times, 4homes, Metro
Vanity Fair
Gallery Magazine

2007

Independent
Casa, Elle Decoration
Department Store Magazine, Fe
In Style
In Style
Midas
Daily Telegraph – 20/9/2007
Evening Standard – 30/5/2007
Designer’s Block – 18/10/2007
Trends Now – 6/6/2007


2008

Design Sponge
Mix Future Interiors
Independent
Observer Magazine
Retro
Life Magazine
4 Homes
Keatons
BBC
Deco
Elle – 12/2008

2009

Evening Standard – 6/6/2009
Times – 2/5/2009
Palace
Independent
Interior Design
Gael Maison – 12/2009
Sunday Times – 16/8/2009
Joseph Starr – 8/2009
Furnish – 26/12/2009
Sunday Times

2010

Living etc – 1/2010
Easy Living – 3/2010
Sunday Times
Floor Magazine
Wallpaper magazine