Meet the Designer: Tom Raffield's Green Range Inspiration
It's been two months since the exciting launch of our popular new Green Range planters and it's absolutely flown by. We've caught up with founder and designer, Tom Raffield, to learn more about the innovative collection, discuss what initially inspired the range and find out how he's using the steam bent planters at home.
The Green Range is so different to the other Tom Raffield product ranges… talk us through the inspiration?
TR: Our design ethos is 'to be inspired by nature' - that’s a pretty loose brief and can be interpreted from seeing a shape to testing a material (wood). The idea for The Green Range was to connect the inspiration and the product, to give people a flavour of nature combined with design.
Are you influenced by ‘trends’ in the design industry?
TR: We’ve always made a point of not looking to trends, we aim to design products that fall outside of fashions to improve the longevity and the lifespan - which is one of the fundamental rules of creating an environmentally sound product.
That being said, it’s hard not to to be inspired by the things around us and we have a very keen interest in architecture, especially after designing our own home to fit into a green environment. I think architects are starting to really understand the benefits of green living and biophillic working spaces...seeing buildings like Edgware Road tube station it’s hard not to be inspired!
What was the biggest challenge you faced when making The Green Range?
TR: It would definitely be exploring the synergy between steam bent wood and ceramics. Both mediums are very susceptible to changes in tolerance - for instance, every piece of wood bends in a slightly different way depending on it's grain, dryness and thickness. Steam bent wood and pottery are both handmade, natural materials so it's been quite testing at times...we’ve had to allow for the nuances of the materials.
Which plants have you chosen to fill your own Green Range planters with?
TR: We've chosen an agave plant for our Merryn Floor Planter, there’s something so strong and architectural about it’s upright arms, and a string of pearls succulent for the Morvah Ceiling Hanging Planter, they are lush and green and bring a beautiful sense of life and fertility.
Which Green Range planter is your favourite?
TR: I love the Merryn Floor Planter - the aesthetic is high impact and creates an inflated status for any plant you put in it. It’s almost like putting your plant on a throne. I do also have a soft spot for the hanging planters as I like the lightness in suspending objects, especially with a trailing plant.
Watch Our Green Range Video below
Posted: 27.07.18
Updated: 16.04.21