PROMOTING Intriguing and innovative design is something that I have always championed, but what is it that really makes design successful?

I have long been fascinated by the way things work. Having a father who is an engineer and a mother who always encouraged me to think beyond the finished piece, I was always looking at the underneath of cars or pieces of furniture to try and see how they were made. My father and I spent many days tinkering with cars, trying to fix broken parts or make things work better so that I would have a better understanding of the way things were designed to be not only aesthetically interesting but also practically sound. Looking at some of my favourite designers’ works of art such as David Roentgen furniture, Patek Philippe watches and Aston Martin cars, it is clear what they all have in common—not only are they beautiful to look at but they are also cleverly engineered so that they work without a hitch.

When I was younger I realised that, whatever I made, in addition to looking nice, having a purpose and working seamlessly, should be more than just an object. I saw that it could also have personality and be cherished. Lots of people make things very well, but there has to be a soul and a resonance for a design to be successful. An object must have wit, charm and character. More than ever, I think that people want individuality and quality, especially in a time which is dominated by mass production. Quality is about always striving to do better, it is about aiming for perfection and therefore never resting on your laurels. My meticulous attention to detail is something which I have instilled into everyone on my team. We would not want a piece of furniture to leave our workshops until I am certain that it has been imaginatively designed, lovingly made by exceptionally skilled craftsmen and then finished exquisitely by hand, therefore this is what I look for in other objects: innovative design, excellent craftsmanship, superlative quality, aesthetic interest and a good dose of wit and charm!

Last but not least, good design is ultimately down to having a strong team of designers. At Linley we are very fortunate to have a fantastic team, some of whom have been with us for over 20 years, others are fresh out of college—this allows for a strong opportunity of knowledge-sharing, with years of experience complemented by youthful exuberance.

David Linley; Director, Linley; Black Rolex Milgauss

“I have chosen this Rolex for its elegance, simplicity and timeless nature. Rolex watches are famed for their Chronometric precision; in 1910 a Rolex was the first wristwatch in the world to receive this Swiss Certificate. The Rolex Milgauss was introduced in 1956 and designed to meet the high demands of the scientific community. Withstanding magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss, it is the absolute best of its kind. I have always appreciated the way Rolex scrupulously selects materials for its watches and how each tiny part has been meticulously chosen and constantly re-assessed to guarantee its performance and its impeccable aesthetics. Bamford offer their clients a range of watches customised to their own specification. They are driven by their passion for engineering excellence and innovation, something I have always admired and pursued in my own work.

Their Milgauss Rolex features a black PVD finish along with striking and sharp black-and-white dial designs which bring the watch effortlessly into the 21st century. My favourite part? The second hand is a lightning fork; you can’t get cooler than that.”

Janine Stone; Founder, Janine Stone Interior Design; The Three Graces

“The Three Graces are at once beautiful and bold and there is a great story attached to the sculpture. The daughters of Zeus, Thalia represents youth and beauty, Euphrosyne represents mirth and Aglaia elegance. These mythical creatures have bestowed their gifts and wisdom upon others—it’s a romantic notion and uplifting. Youth and beauty, elegance and mirth are attributes we would all strive for in life, so it’s an enduring message. As a designer, I would say that these elements alongside a few others have informed my work and life.  Youth, beauty, mirth and elegance, with a dash of serendipity, works for me.

I greatly enjoy creating new spaces or changing the use of an area into something completely different, giving it a new lease of life. Finding solutions to the challenges that are presented is all part of the process and when we arrive at an exciting and vibrant design, I think that is perhaps the most satisfying feeling. The Three Graces certainly fits that bill.”

Anne-Eva Geffroy; Design director, Graff Diamonds; Natural History Museum Butterflies

“Designing beautiful jewels requires careful consideration of focus, proportion and light. When you look at an item of jewellery, your eye should move on a fluid visual journey around the piece. Each element should work with the next, the proportions acting in harmony in order to highlight the brilliance and fire in each diamond or gem. Nature is often the best stimulant for creating something striking and unique. I often visit the Natural History Museum where I can see natural specimens from around the world. It is the butterfly exhibition in the entomology department that draws my attention. It’s not only the remarkable colours and patterns that make this butterfly (an Agrias claudina) unique but it’s perfect “golden” proportion and symmetry. The design on its wings is mesmerising and it’s with the outline of precious stones that I attempt to recreate their spectacular configuration. 

The butterfly has inspired several Graff collections and pieces, from brooches to jewellery watches. Whether represented by rare diamonds and precious stones or simply four pear-shaped diamonds, the butterfly will always be a central motif in Graff jewels.”

Yann Debelle de Montby; Founder, Debelle de Montby Associates; Shang Xia Bamboo Tea Set

“The Shang Xia Bamboo Tea Set was hand-made in China by a very talented craftsman. I choose it because it is a beautiful and timeless object, because it is linked to tea, which I love, especially Chinese tea. I live in Shanghai and when entertaining in a Chinese home the tea set is the focal point. I also love this piece because it represents the first really luxurious Chinese product that you can buy.

It’s made by Shang Xia, a sister brand of France’s illustrious Hermès, which prides itself on promoting traditional Chinese craftsmanship and making such techniques relevant to contemporary design. The bamboo is expertly shaved into strands of less than 0.5mm and woven around the ceramic ware. Shang Xia’s Artistic Director is Jiang Qiong Er. You know it’s a bit wrong—that’s why he’s so clever, he makes you want to watch and be interested but you know it shouldn’t really be beautiful—after all it’s just a tea set.”

Mark Poynton; Michelin-starred chef, Alimentum; Corpus Clock, Corpus Christi College

“It’s curious but the clock is both weird and a beautiful thing to look at. It’s opposite Kings College in Cambridge, and always catches your eye. Even though it’s not obvious how it indicates the time, you’re always drawn to it like a mythical character. It shows that everything doesn’t have to be aesthetically pleasing. It’s hard to tell what it actually is and that’s the beauty of it. Compare the Corpus Clock with Corpus Christi College itself. Built in the 16th century, the buildings have quaint, lopsided windows and walls falling down, and then you find this modern, strange-looking clock right in the middle of it.

The clock inspires what I do as people always assume things are going to look pretty before they’ve even tasted it, but the nicest things in the world don’t always look pretty—they make you want to understand what they are and draw you in. I like things that evoke thoughts in your mind.”