Arts & Crafts - A Declaration for Design
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Not alone in its endeavours, Royal Tichelaar Makkum, concentrated on centuries-old craftsmanship - rather than technology - and produced five extraordinary artefacts.

While restoring the 17th century flower pyramids for Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, the Dutch company developed the exact colours, gloss and brush technique employed throughout the period. With their newfound knowledge and acquired expertise Royal Tichelaar commissioned four cutting edge Dutch designers, among them Jurgen Bey and Studio Job, to use the restored flower towers and historic production processes as a starting point for modern interpretations of the traditional flower pyramids. Each new design is made in the original Faience technique and painstakingly hand painted by the Royal Tichelaar team of master artisans.

This recent fascination with combining 21st century designers with traditional master artisans is also playing a big role in the sustainability initiative. Collaborative exchanges between internationally renowned designers and skilled artisans from underdeveloped countries is increasingly becoming a sought after and desirable design approach.

Artecnica’s ‘Witches’ Kitchen’, the newest addition to its award winning 'Design with Conscience' sustainable product line, combines old world craftsmanship with sophisticated design.

For their initial foray into kitchenware production the Los Angeles based company produced an extensive collection of intricately handcrafted products designed by Tord Boontje and handcrafted by three artisan groups from South America.

The Italian furniture manufacturer Cappellini, together with New York designer Stephen Burks - known for his eco-conscious design approach - developed a new eco-friendly collection, ‘Cappellini Love’.

The collection, featuring handmade furnishings and accessories made from shredded recycled magazines, and mosaic tiles was produced in Africa by local artisans.

Such examples show that renovating tradition through design while integrating local elements into global systems is a timely option for the furniture industry. In our world of material overindulgence it is becoming imperative that design carries with it strong cultural and creative significance in order to be valued in the saturated consumer culture of today.

Jurgen Bey -Royal Tichelaar Makkum -by Studio Marten Aukes

Jurgen Bey -Royal Tichelaar Makkum -by Studio Marten Aukes

Studio Job -Royal Tichelaar Makkum -by Studio Marten Aukes

Witches' Kitchen by Tord Boontje for Artecnica

Cappellini Love by Stephen Burks for Cappellini