While today collectible design has managed to enter our common imagination and make its way onto our wish lists, it is a little less obvious to be able to recognise quality design and make informed purchases. Starting a design collection may seem very easy but without the right advice you could be betting on the wrong horses. The inputs are many and the designers are just as experimental, so together with Isola Design we propose five vases to start a design collection.
#1 David Valner Studio – Fungus Vases
David Valner Studio is a collective of artists and craftsmen, founded by David Valner and supported by his family and experienced glassmakers in the Czech Republic. The Fungus glass vase collection, inspired by mushrooms, combines tradition and innovation to create unique pieces. These vases, available in various sizes, shapes and colours, unleash the potential of mycelium, becoming functional and decorative elements for interiors.
#2 Ralf Gloudemans – Transcending: Mesh to Matter
Studio Ralf Gloudemans is specialised in design in the sphere of mixed reality. The aim is to combine the art of physical craftsmanship with the digital, achieving results that blur the line between the two worlds. The project Transcending: Mesh to Matter explores this intersection by sculpting 3D mesh models in a digital environment, creating ceramic vessels that bear the marks of traditional craftsmanship infused with digital influences.
#3 Kerafakt – Fragments
Kerakaft is a Swedish designer who works mainly with clay. Her project Fragments reflects on the concept of the fragment. «Sometimes, a fragment is part of a larger whole, while at other times, it stands alone, disconnected,» explains Camilla Lindqvist. «When does a piece lose its relevance and what fundamental elements must a fragment possess in order to be considered complete?», with these reflections the designer brings to life a series of organically shaped handcrafted vases that look to the past and nature, with warm, bold colours that can reinforce aseptic environments.
#4 Design Shades Studio – Her Dark Material
Created by Charline Ronzon-Jaricot, Design Shades is a digital studio and magazine that connects exploration, colour, materials and design. Her Dark Materials is an ongoing exploration of texture and 3D printing. It investigates the evolving relationship between craft and technology, including a collection of 3D printed black vases made from wood filament, which gives them a strong natural scent. On a conceptual level, these shapes crystallise deeper emotions by drawing inspiration from shapes and textures inspired by nature.
#5 Teun Zwets – Splitvase
Teun Zwets is a designer and craftsman who emphasises speed in the process to maintain focus. His Splitvase series exemplifies this approach, with each piece designed and made in less than a day. Damaged wooden beams are split with an axe and then glued back together to form vases, finished with high-gloss paint to highlight the split grain. These pieces emphasise practicality over conceptual design, showing Zwets’ dedication to fast and efficient workmanship.
