Reference Point Collection - Launch

The Reference Point Collection Some furniture collections begin with a commercial brief. The Reference Point Collection began with a series of small objects exploring form, process and material. Those early experiments evolved over years of bespoke commissions into a collection of contemporary furniture rooted in the dialogue between timber, steel and brass. The collection was not conceived as a conventional range of products, but as an ongoing exploration of ideas that have developed through the design and making of furniture for private clients, architects and interior designers. Proportion, materiality, structure and detail are considered together, creating pieces that can sit comfortably within a wider architectural scheme while retaining a distinct identity of their own. At the heart of the collection is a restrained material palette. Timber provides warmth and tactility, steel introduces precision and strength, while brass brings refinement and contrast. Each material is selected for its structural, functional and aesthetic qualities, rather than to imitate another finish or follow a particular trend. Their natural characteristics are allowed to remain visible, creating furniture that develops character through use and age. The collection reflects an approach to design that values clarity and restraint, but also recognises the importance of detail. The relationship between materials, the expression of structure and the way individual components meet are all integral to the design. Brass details are individually finished, timber is carefully selected for its grain and figure, and steel elements are hand-finished to create subtle variations in tone and texture. The collection currently comprises three principal designs: Locus, Datum and Axis. Locus explores the relationship between timber, steel and brass through a series of contemporary coffee and side tables. The collection combines architectural forms with carefully considered details, including individually etched brass elements and integrated functional features. Datum explores the contrast between restrained geometric form and the expressive character of natural timber. A solid European oak carcass and book-matched burr oak veneer are combined with an expressed steel base, allowing the richly figured timber to become a defining element of the piece. Axis is a modular furniture system designed to bring balance, flexibility and adaptability to contemporary interiors. Combining solid oak with a refined steel structure and brass detailing, it can be configured to create shelving, display and workspace, responding to the requirements of different interiors and ways of living. Although each design explores a different relationship between material, function and form, they share a common language. The collection is intended to work as individual pieces or as part of a wider interior, bringing cohesion without imposing a particular style. The Reference Point Collection is made to order in the Black Pear workshop in Worcestershire. Dimensions and finishes can be adapted where appropriate, allowing individual pieces to respond to the requirements of a project while retaining the character and design principles of the original collection. For interior designers and architects, Reference Point provides a considered collection of furniture that can complement a broad range of interiors, while offering the material quality, individuality and flexibility associated with bespoke making.