Established & Sons launches own-label collection and a collaboration with Venini

Anyone who wasn’t gobsmacked by Established & Sons’ monumental installation at La Pelota was applauding the sheer scale of the company’s directional bravado.

Building on five years of swift growth and a reputation for pushing design and manufacturing techniques in fresh directions, the Milan show doubled as a launch-pad for Estd, an own-label furniture and accessories collection. A sense of purpose and economy - “lean” design - united diverse pieces which included fat ceramic hooks, space capsule-inspired storage jars and Merino wool blankets. For me, the most successful were Hang, a concertina-style, ash coat-stand, and the Spin tables with lockable castor wheels in mismatched colours

A new collaboration with Venetian master glass-makers, Venini, also launched. Sebastian Wrong’s Column and Globe lights, Konstantin Gcric’s Blow table, Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec’s Lighthouse lamp and Michael Eden’s Audrey vase and lights were characterised by sensuous shapes and Venini’s glowing colours which I found very seductive.

Meanwhile 30 additional new products included Bertjan Pot’s knit-clad Jumper chair, Frank’s ceramic Corona light and Richard Woods’ woodblock print rug. Standout designs for me were Front’s circular, beech Transformation Table and the Amsterdam Armoire by Scholten & Baijings. Both hid surprises which I won’t reveal here.