By Appointment: Zoe Chan

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Zoe Chan, the British Chinese artist and designer is founder of her eponymous studio. She creates unique homes and objects which are made from natural, non-toxic materials. For ABASK she explains how her love of nature, the process of making and family inform her life and work.

Osanna Visconti

Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder

AU$5,205
Sold out
Osanna Visconti - Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder - Metallics - ABASK

Osanna Visconti

AU$5,205
Sold out

Métier

Playing Cards with Leather Case

AU$430
Métier - Playing Cards with Leather Case - Blue - ABASK

Métier

AU$430

Bzzwax

Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

AU$295
Bzzwax - Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8) - Yellow - ABASK -

Bzzwax

AU$295

Stories of Italy

Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)

AU$1,025
Stories of Italy - Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6) - Blue - ABASK

Stories of Italy

AU$1,025

Baba Tree

Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

AU$400
Sold out
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket - Tan - ABASK

Baba Tree

AU$400
Sold out

Makers Cabinet

Architect Tool Set

AU$490
Makers Cabinet - Architect Tool Set - Gold - ABASK -

Makers Cabinet

AU$490

El Casco

Chrome Pencil Sharpener

AU$985
El Casco - Chrome Pencil Sharpener - Chrome - ABASK

El Casco

AU$985

Rose Uniacke

Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket

AU$6,905
Sold out
Rose Uniacke - Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket - Cream - ABASK -

Rose Uniacke

AU$6,905
Sold out
What role does craft and design play in your life?

It plays an enormous part. Even my drawings when designing a space are done by hand rather than using a programme like CAD. The process of drawing is like the process of making in that it’s slow and immersive. I work with many master craftsmen – wood, stone, metal – and understanding the method of construction informs the design. It’s a real dialogue which results in something that is highly personal and affects the process of making.

How would you describe your interiors style?

Natural, simple and thoughtfully detailed. The best design looks effortless: it works well, looks beautiful and in my work often exposes the method of construction. For me, it’s about making the bare bones beautiful and everything I’ve used in my home is naturally sourced.

Jaejin Choi

Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

AU$330
Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

Jaejin Choi

AU$330

Takada

Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush

AU$215
Takada - Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush - Brown - ABASK -

Takada

AU$215

Ingot Objects

Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl

AU$58
Coming soon
Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl - Beige - ABASK

Ingot Objects

AU$58
Coming soon

Takada

Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

AU$300
Takada - Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3) - Brown - ABASK

Takada

AU$300

Mervyn Gers Ceramics

Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

AU$148
Mervyn Gers Ceramics - Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug - Beige - ABASK

Mervyn Gers Ceramics

AU$148

Lucas Castex

No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

AU$1,580
Lucas Castex - No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board -  - ABASK

Lucas Castex

AU$1,580

The Leach Pottery

Ceramic Lidded Jar

AU$280
Sold out
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK

The Leach Pottery

AU$280
Sold out

Bird & Branch

Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl

AU$585
Sold out
Bird & Branch - Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl -  - ABASK

Bird & Branch

AU$585
Sold out
What is the best craft or design gift you’ve ever received?

I attended a wood spoon carving course at London Greenwood on Hackney City Farm where you can learn to whittle spoons and bowls. The course leader gave me a spoon he’d made. It’s such a beautiful object but also functional and you can feel the spirit of him in the spoon – you feel the human touch.

What room in your home do you do your best thinking?

In my studio… but I also do great thinking when I’m cold-water swimming in Hampstead Heath.

What is the first and last item you bought for your home?

Our home is currently under construction so the first thing was clay mud bricks and the last was baths.

Denis Colomb

Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket

AU$4,000
Denis Colomb - Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket - White - ABASK

Denis Colomb

AU$4,000

Carl Auböck

Brass and Cane Bookends

AU$1,480
Carl Auböck - Brass and Cane Bookends - Black - ABASK

Carl Auböck

AU$1,480

Perfumer H

Honey Hand-Blown Candle

AU$154
Perfumer H - Honey Hand-Blown Candle - Orange - ABASK

Perfumer H

AU$154

Woodworks by Ted Todd

English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board

AU$1,500
Woodworks by Ted Todd - English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board -  - ABASK -

Woodworks by Ted Todd

AU$1,500

Benjamin Nauleau

Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket

AU$1,805
Benjamin Nauleau - Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket -  - ABASK -

Benjamin Nauleau

AU$1,805

Futagami

Brass Kitchen Roll Holder

AU$750
Sold out
Futagami - Brass Kitchen Roll Holder -  - ABASK

Futagami

AU$750
Sold out

Bodman Blades

Oak Burl French Chef's Knife

AU$1,270
Bodman Blades - Oak Burl French Chef's Knife -  - ABASK

Bodman Blades

AU$1,270
Which item in your home brings you the most joy?

My candle oil burner. My mind is so active that in the evening I’m keen to wind down before I go to sleep. I turn off all my lights and just have candles to calm my parasympathetic nervous system.

What do you – or what would you like to – collect?

Stones, sticks or shells. Wherever I go, I’m drawn to nature and I bring them home as mementos of places we have been to.

What item in your home can’t you bear to part with?

My children’s drawings.

What is your go-to gift for a host?

I love to gift experiences: special, shared time together. But if it was an object, it would be Osanna Visconti’s candle holders. I love that the process of making is conveyed in her pieces. They are really organic and simple as well as being luxurious but more in their design and quality rather than looking bling.

What’s the greatest heirloom you’re most proud to pass on?

My home. There is so much making and artisanship in this house. It’s a gesamkuntswerk. I hope to pass it to my children one day – that it is their forever home that they can enjoy too.

zoeychanstudio.com