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

$4,750
Sold out
Osanna Visconti - Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder - Metallics - ABASK

Osanna Visconti

$4,750
Sold out

Métier

Playing Cards with Leather Case

$390
Métier - Playing Cards with Leather Case - Blue - ABASK

Métier

$390

Bzzwax

Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

$270
Bzzwax - Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8) - Yellow - ABASK -

Bzzwax

$270

Stories of Italy

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

$935
Stories of Italy - Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6) - Blue - ABASK

Stories of Italy

$935

Baba Tree

Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

$365
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Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket - Tan - ABASK

Baba Tree

$365
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Makers Cabinet

Architect Tool Set

$445
Makers Cabinet - Architect Tool Set - Gold - ABASK -

Makers Cabinet

$445

El Casco

Chrome Pencil Sharpener

$895
El Casco - Chrome Pencil Sharpener - Chrome - ABASK

El Casco

$895

Rose Uniacke

Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket

$6,300
Sold out
Rose Uniacke - Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket - Cream - ABASK -

Rose Uniacke

$6,300
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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)

$305
Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

Jaejin Choi

$305

Takada

Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush

$195
Takada - Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush - Brown - ABASK -

Takada

$195

Ingot Objects

Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl

$54
Coming soon
Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl - Beige - ABASK

Ingot Objects

$54
Coming soon

Takada

Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

$275
Takada - Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3) - Brown - ABASK

Takada

$275

Mervyn Gers Ceramics

Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

$135
Mervyn Gers Ceramics - Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug - Beige - ABASK

Mervyn Gers Ceramics

$135

Lucas Castex

No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

$1,450
Lucas Castex - No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board -  - ABASK

Lucas Castex

$1,450

The Leach Pottery

Ceramic Lidded Jar

$260
Sold out
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK

The Leach Pottery

$260
Sold out

Bird & Branch

Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl

$535
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Bird & Branch - Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl -  - ABASK

Bird & Branch

$535
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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

$3,650
Denis Colomb - Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket - White - ABASK

Denis Colomb

$3,650

Carl Auböck

Brass and Cane Bookends

$1,500
Carl Auböck - Brass and Cane Bookends - Black - ABASK

Carl Auböck

$1,500

Perfumer H

Honey Hand-Blown Candle

$170
Perfumer H - Honey Hand-Blown Candle - Orange - ABASK

Perfumer H

$170

Woodworks by Ted Todd

English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board

$1,400
Woodworks by Ted Todd - English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board -  - ABASK -

Woodworks by Ted Todd

$1,400

Benjamin Nauleau

Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket

$1,650
Benjamin Nauleau - Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket -  - ABASK -

Benjamin Nauleau

$1,650

Futagami

Brass Kitchen Roll Holder

$685
Sold out
Futagami - Brass Kitchen Roll Holder -  - ABASK

Futagami

$685
Sold out

Bodman Blades

Oak Burl French Chef's Knife

$1,200
Bodman Blades - Oak Burl French Chef's Knife -  - ABASK

Bodman Blades

$1,200
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