When Tom embarks on a new design, he tends to do so with form top-of-mind. It’s a key element in finding that rare balance between beauty and functionality. Colour, however, has a pivotal role to play as well. When applied with careful consideration, it can heighten formal qualities of a design or even transform the piece’s character. Read on to get a sense of how colour and form can play off one another to enriching effect…
New Lily Cocktail Table Colours
Lily cocktail tables with ‘Ultramarine’ Venetian cast glass tops and ‘Chalk White’ stems
Venetian glass tops have been a popular choice on our Lily cocktail tables, thanks largely to their vibrant colourations. We’ve always offered quite an array of choice, but have just expanded the colours available to include a few spectacular additions. One such newcomer is ‘Ultramarine’, which was inspired by Tom’s visit the Majorelle Gardens as well as his admiration of the classic Yves Klein blue.
Majorelle Gardens; photographed by Tom
We’ve also added some warmer tones with ‘Amethyst’ and ‘Peach’. They look fantastic when combined, especially when a third clear glass iteration is introduced to temper the rose-tinted effect. Each top is formed of cast glass made in Venice using the traditional Murano technique. These molten tops are thick with a slightly irregular surface which brings the Lily form alive as light filters through into dappled pools of colour.
Lily cocktail tables with ‘Peach’ (left) and ‘Amethyst’ (right) Venetian cast glass tops
New Ultramarine Skye Editions
Skye console II + stool finished in ‘Moonstone White’ with ‘Ultramarine’ interiors
Our latest collection, Skye has received a bit of a chromatic boost with a selection of ‘Ultramarine’ finishes, also incorporating ‘Midnight Blue’ and ‘Moonstone White’. We’ve applied the bold hues in different ways across these designs. In some cases, we’ve cloaked the form entirely for a monochromatic, drenched look. In others we’ve focused the ‘Ultramarine’ colour within the interior of the form, deepening the effect of the ellipse. Or – as with the side table, for example – we’ve been more sparing, introducing just a dash of intrigue and energy against the polished stainless steel body. We find these considered applications of colour bring out a new character in the sleek and sculptural Skye designs, emphasising their forms and adding a fresh layer of interest.
Skye side table in ‘Satin’ polished stainless steel with an ‘Ultramarine’ glass top (left) + upholstered stool finished in ‘Midnight Blue’ with an ‘Ultramarine’ interior (right)
Butterfly Colours
Tom with Papillon side tables finished in ‘Ulysseys Blue’ (left) + ‘Machaon’ (right)
Our ‘Butterfly’ finishes have been a Tom Faulkner staple for some time. Tom initially developed them for the Papillon designs, finding the gradual, ombre colourations worked beautifully in tandem with these sinuous, organic forms. There are five colourways in total, each named after a British butterfly.
Angel dining chair finished in ‘Mariposa Verde’ (left) + Papillon round cocktail trolley finished in ‘Baronet Red’ with dichroic glass
The vibrancy of these finishes has proven surprisingly versatile, working wonderfully across other collections like the Angel, too. For those after a particularly showstopping vignette, we’d recommend pairing the ‘Butterfly’ colourways with dichroic glass. It’s treated with a film that plays with light as it passes through, creating a tinted, opalescent effect which changes colour depending on perspective.
Bespoke Colourations
Bespoke Arizona needle for Paul Smith in-situ
We handcraft every design to order and encourage you to make full use of our bespoke approach. Not only can we edit formal elements and dimensions, but we can also create custom colourways to suit your project. Our work for committed chromophile, Paul Smith is an excellent example. Their team dreamt up a fresh spectrum of colours for our Arizona needle, especially suited to his flagship store in Albemarle Street. The result is a distinctive piece of sculpture which draws the interior scheme together, highlighting Paul’s singular eye for combining colour.
Bespoke Arizona needle for Paul Smith in the making
TF x F.ROZE
Vienna carver chair finished in ‘Charcoal’ with F.ROZE upholstery
Tom is always on the lookout for young creatives doing things differently. He didn’t have to look far to pinpoint Freya Roze Richmond’s talent for textile design – in fact, she’s the one running the show at our Pimlico Road shop! So, a collaboration came naturally, bringing together the precise lines of Tom’s Vienna carver chair and the ebullient, graphical patterns of Freya’s textiles. They paired up to produce chairs which are strikingly contemporary, boldly playful, and full of dynamism.
Vienna carver chair finished in ‘Charcoal’ with F.ROZE upholstery
You can discover more of Freya’s work on her website. To explore the full range of colours we offer, check out our Finishes & Materials page. If you’re looking to take a more bespoke approach to colour, we’d be happy to help. Simply get in touch to start the conversation.
Text by Annabel Colterjohn