Our new Skye collection is the product of a year’s worth of sketching, prototyping, and fine-tuning. As we unveil all seven designs, we also take a moment to look back at everything that’s gone into them. Tom has always got his eyes open to inspiration, so in practice, this collection has been in the works for much longer than a year. It’s the product of sights collected, artists admired, and materials explored. Read on to discover the story of Skye, from figments to form.
Mên-an-Tol standing stone in Cornwall
The guiding point of inspiration behind the Skye collection is the many Neolithic standing stones of the UK. There are examples in Wiltshire where we have our workshop, as well as peppered throughout the West Country – a place to which Tom often retreats. There’s a monolithic quality to the Skye designs, as well as a sense of permanence. The name itself is drawn from the Old Norse ‘ský’, meaning cloud. It’s an especially apt title for a group of designs that reworks the ‘Cloud’ silhouette, which forms a separate collection of its own. It also connects these designs to a place that’s shrouded in the history of early man: the Isle of Skye. It’s amidst these craggy rocks, verdant mosses, and shimmering waters that Tom envisions the pieces most at home. Their sleek, steely forms and meticulous detailing creates a touch of contrast, while the elemental quality of these objects link them to the land.
The Isle of Skye
Skye first began to take form as Tom sketched out ideas for a special edition sculpture. He intended to create an art object as opposed to functional pieces of furniture, though the ideas started flowing, nonetheless. He was guided by the shapes of modern British sculptors like Barbara Hepworth, finding himself drawn to the open circles which so often punctuated her work. Soon enough, these stylistic motifs were taking on new forms and functions, finding their shape in steel.
‘Single Form’ by Barbara Hepworth (1962) in Battersea Park, London; photographed by Amanda Slater
The choice of material was only natural. Tom is always drawn to working with metal and over the last 30 odd years, his team at the workshop have become true masters of the material. Tom explains: “When it first started to take shape in my mind, I definitely saw it as an opportunity to create something that really celebrated the unique qualities of metal, the material I love and have been working with for so many years”. Working with sheets of steel allowed the team to meld incredibly precise forms that are also exceptionally strong and durable. In fact, it’s for this reason that the Skye collection is not just suited to interiors, but also primed to brave the elements outdoors. Tom sees the bench, for example, as the perfect piece for a garden, doubling as both seat and sculpture.
Skye bench in ‘Satin’ polished steel
Tom and the team developed a new finish specially for the Skye collection, aiming to showcase the beauty of steel in a pure yet polished form. Each piece is completed with a ‘Satin’ polish, which adds a gleam to them before stopping shy of a mirror-like effect. We find it brings an added energy to each piece without distracting from their carefully engineered forms.
Skye stool + console table II in ‘Satin’ polished steel with an inlaid wood top
Skye plinth + stool in ‘Satin’ polished steel
For a heightened sense of materiality, we’ve also created a version of the console with a patinated interior. The steel surface within the ellipse has been treated to create a dynamic, darkened effect that adds another dimension to the piece. The welds are then left visible, telling the story of its making. As our very own maestro of metal, Nigel Bellamy remarks: “We put our heart and soul into everything we make. Each piece is very special to us, and we hope that reflects in the final product.”
Skye console table I in ‘Satin’ polished steel with a patinated interior and visible welds
Skye in the making
Although steel is very much the star of this show, Tom has also worked other materials into the collection. The consoles can be completed with an inlaid top made of wood, stone, or patinated metal. The stools, on the other hand, are given a more plush treatment with your choice of upholstered seat cushioning.
Skye stool in ‘Satin’ polished steel with an upholstered top
Similarly, the consoles and dining tables can be made with a range of tops in stone, wood, or glass. We find the glass option creates an especially crisp effect, though characterful materials like a richly patterned marble or wood can add a dash of warmth and personality. In the case of the dining table, the top takes on a very distinctive shape. It echoes the amorphous silhouette beneath, offering a rounded format that’s excellent for gathering.
Skye dining table in ‘Satin’ polished steel with a clear glass top
Skye console table I in ‘Satin’ polished steel with a clear glass top
With the launch of the Skye collection comes a new dialect of Tom’s stylistic vernacular. These seven pieces usher in a new chapter in the brand’s history, casting classic materials in fresh shapes and finishes. Yet with their sleek and steely silhouettes, sculptural shapes, and meticulous metalwork, they are unmistakeably TF. With ideas continuing to percolate, we expect there will be much more to see of Skye.
“Skye has been an important collection for me, and I have taken great pleasure in working on it. A year in the making, I’m now excited for it to be seen and enjoyed.” – Tom
Text by Annabel Colterjohn