Love This #64: Markovitch Shaker Boxes

Aren't these boxes beautiful? 

Well, yes I know I have a bit of a thing for boxes, but with boxes like I think it's understandable. Sadly not all of my boxes are as beautiful as this, and since I saw them I've been wondering about how I could wangle some of these for myself.  As yet, I haven't managed it and the yellow handbag I saw put paid to one of these sewing boxes as a Christmas present.

It was at Made London in October where I saw a whole stack of these boxes and spent quite a while speaking to Murray the Shaker boxmaker, who's based in Romsey, Hampshire. He makes his boxes in the traditional Shaker way, without glue and using copper rivets and tiny wooden pins to fix the tops and bases to the sides. The swallowtail detail at the front of each box - that's the shaped design element - is more than just design; it helps prevent the wood splitting and helps spread the pressure where the wood bends.

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As well as stacking to form a tower (see the last image below) the clever boxes also fit inside one another so if you're not using them they store easily too. They're available in American maple (the lighter colour shown) and red cherry which was a deeper, richer colour and I think my favourite, just.

Murray says they were the Tupperware of their day, now I'm wondering why Tupperware didn't just sell these instead?  Anyway... The design dates back over two hundred years and their first use - by the Shakers - was as food storage containers, which soon became a must-have item in many American kitchens. I can see why, but surely too nice just for food?  

The Shakers thought so too, and the bigger boxes were used for sewing and other practical purposes around the house. Murray makes and sells the larger sizes as dedicated sewing boxes (or as boxes for anything that you need compartments for I guess). At first glance you might think they're costly at £150 for the medium sized box and £200 for the larger box, but given the amount of work that goes into making these by hand in the traditional way, I don't think it's so bad.

And even so, they look a good way of storing your materials to me...

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Getting ready for Christmas with LOVEThESIGN

This year Christmas seems to be well and truly underway already. It's only December today and already I've seen Christmas decorations up both in real life and pictures of my friend's trees. And while my decorations won't be out of the box until much nearer Christmas, somehow it seems that there's an excitement this year which I don't remember seeing last year. 

Even though I'm not quite in Christmas decoration mode yet, like many of you I'm starting to plan our Christmas. I've recently discovered the LOVEThESIGN website and have been really impressed with the range of goods they have on their site. I thought it would be fun to share some of their Christmas items.

LOVEThESIGN was founded in 2012 and sells "Italian style" furniture and homewares, with 15,000 products in its catalogue including designer brands such as Alessi. 

    So for my Christmas table, I'd choose these - and yes you're right the tree wouldn't be on the table, but at 30cm high it could be a stunning centrepiece before the food arrived!

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    1. Felt Table Runner £19, 2. Sarjaton Tray £22, 3. Christmas Tree (30cm high) with red baubles £55,4. Merry Christmas Plate £18, 5. Four Christmas Mini Plates £44, 6. Two Christmas Mugs £12.51  Photo credit: Lovethesign

     

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    7. Set of Four Pantone (R) Baubles in Grey £23, 8. Two Reindeer Baubles £10  Photo credit: Lovethesign

    Every year I like to buy some new ornaments for our full sized tree, these caught my eye and would be a fun and fab addition to my ever-growing collection of baubles. And the plate below would be perfect for serving mince pies, wouldn't it?

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    9. Scia Natalino Cake Plate £38  Photo credit: Lovethesign

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    10. Six Luxe Cards Knitted Reindeer cards £10, 11. Six Luxe Santa's Coming cards £8.75  Photo credit: Lovethesign

    I also liked the simplicity of the cards above, and while I'm still planning to make mine I think I could be tempted to have some of these in reserve, just in case.  The one item that I'd love to put on my wishlist though is the candlestick below. I love it's swirly but unfussy and simple design. And while I love it, sadly I think that with its price tag it would stay just there, on my wishlist. But what a wonderful piece full of fantastic craftsmanship.

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    12. T8 Silver Candle Holder £2052  Photo credit: Lovethesign

     

    So there's my picks from the site, what would you choose?

     

    This is a collaborative post with LOVEThESIGN but all opinions are my own.

    Love This #63: Coin jewellery by Rachel Eardley

    Shortly after stepping through the doors at MADE London I found myself in front of some of the most exquisite jewellery I've ever seen. I know that's a big statement, but just look:

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    The more I looked, the more I saw. And I started to wonder...

    And yes, each of the pendants above are made from cutting the design from a coin. Rachel uses real coins and turns them into the most stunning jewellery. I wanted to dig out my purse and check just what designs were on the coins I had, but I resisted well, until later anyway.

    I don't think I've ever seen anything like this before and I love how an everyday object - and one that's so functional - becomes so beautiful with Rachel's craftsmanship. I've since looked on her website and she says

    "I am inspired by the simple day to day objects in our homes..."

    Truly stunning work Rachel.

     

    Disclaimer: I was given free entry to MADE London, but all words and opinions are my own