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

$3,470
Osanna Visconti - Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder -  - ABASK -

Osanna Visconti Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder

$3,470

Métier Playing Cards with Leather Case

$280
Métier - Playing Cards with Leather Case -  - ABASK -

Métier Playing Cards with Leather Case

$280

Bzzwax Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

$190
Bzzwax - Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8) -  - ABASK -

Bzzwax Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

$190

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

$665
Stories of Italy - Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6) -  - ABASK

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

$665
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket - Tan - ABASK
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket - Tan - ABASK

Baba Tree Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

$260
Sold out
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket - Tan - ABASK

Baba Tree Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

$260
Sold out

Makers Cabinet Architect Tool Set

$320
Makers Cabinet - Architect Tool Set -  - ABASK -

Makers Cabinet Architect Tool Set

$320

El Casco Chrome Pencil Sharpener

$640
Chrome Pencil Sharpener

El Casco Chrome Pencil Sharpener

$640

Rose Uniacke Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket (118in/3m)

$4,495
Rose Uniacke - Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket -  - ABASK -

Rose Uniacke Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket (118in/3m)

$4,495
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) -  - ABASK -
Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

Jaejin Choi Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

$215
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Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

Jaejin Choi Hand-Carved Birch Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

$215
Sold out
Takada - Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush -  - ABASK
Takada - Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush -  - ABASK -

Takada Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush

$140
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Takada - Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush -  - ABASK -

Takada Cypress Tawashi Dustpan and Brush

$140
Sold out
Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl - Beige - ABASK -
Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl - Beige - ABASK

Ingot Objects Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl

$38
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Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl - Beige - ABASK

Ingot Objects Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowl

$38
Sold out

Takada Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

$196
Takada - Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3) -  - ABASK

Takada Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

$196

Mervyn Gers Ceramics Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

$112
Mervyn Gers Ceramics - Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug -  - ABASK

Mervyn Gers Ceramics Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

$112

Lucas Castex No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

$1,030
Lucas Castex - No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board -  - ABASK

Lucas Castex No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

$1,030
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK -
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK

The Leach Pottery Ceramic Lidded Jar

$182
Sold out
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK

The Leach Pottery Ceramic Lidded Jar

$182
Sold out
Bird & Branch - Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl -  - ABASK -
Bird & Branch - Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl -  - ABASK

Bird & Branch Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl

$380
Sold out
Bird & Branch - Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl -  - ABASK

Bird & Branch Hand-Turned Patterned Beech Bowl

$380
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 (79in/2m)

$2,605
Denis Colomb - Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket -  - ABASK -

Denis Colomb Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket (79in/2m)

$2,605

Carl Auböck Brass and Cane Bookends

$1,055
Carl Auböck - Brass and Cane Bookends -  - ABASK

Carl Auböck Brass and Cane Bookends

$1,055
Perfumer H - Honey Hand-Blown Candle -  - ABASK -
Perfumer H - Honey Hand-Blown Candle -  - ABASK

Perfumer H Honey Hand-Blown Candle

$108
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Perfumer H - Honey Hand-Blown Candle -  - ABASK

Perfumer H Honey Hand-Blown Candle

$108
Sold out

Carlo Moretti Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Wine Glass

$136
Carlo Moretti - Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Wine Glass - ABASK

Carlo Moretti Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Wine Glass

$136
Shop the Collection

Woodworks by Ted Todd English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board

$980
Woodworks by Ted Todd - English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board -  - ABASK -

Woodworks by Ted Todd English Native Oak Live Edge Chopping Board

$980
Benjamin Nauleau - Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket -  - ABASK
Benjamin Nauleau - Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket -  - ABASK -

Benjamin Nauleau Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket

$1,175
Sold out
Benjamin Nauleau - Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket -  - ABASK -

Benjamin Nauleau Handwoven White Willow Flower Basket

$1,175
Sold out
Futagami - Brass Kitchen Roll Holder -  - ABASK
Futagami - Brass Kitchen Roll Holder -  - ABASK

Futagami Brass Kitchen Roll Holder

$490
Sold out
Futagami - Brass Kitchen Roll Holder -  - ABASK

Futagami Brass Kitchen Roll Holder

$490
Sold out
Bodman Blades - Oak Burl French Chef's Knife -  - ABASK -
Bodman Blades - Oak Burl French Chef's Knife -  - ABASK

Bodman Blades Oak Burl French Chef's Knife

$825
Sold out
Bodman Blades - Oak Burl French Chef's Knife -  - ABASK

Bodman Blades Oak Burl French Chef's Knife

$825
Sold out
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