Designer Ilse Crawford founded her interior design studio Studioilse in London in 2001 after leaving behind a successful career in journalism, having been the founding Editor-in-Chief for Elle Decoration UK. Since then, she has become known for her design philosophy, which places people and their comfort at the centre of her work.

This year, Maison&Objet Paris named her the Designer of the Year and selected her to do the scenography for the fair’s Designers’ Studio; she’s the first designer to embark on such a task. Sitting on the cork stools that she designed in the space that so clearly reflects her style and her design philosophy, we spoke to the British designer about her design approach and her upcoming projects.

How do you define your style and your approach to design?

My priority has always been to create objects and pleasant environments that support the needs of those who use them or live there. My approach is to create a nice frame for life, since the human experience starts with the human needs. My aesthetic language combines simple elegance with a deep awareness of materials.

Describe the new project you created for M&O Paris as its Designer of the Year.

The idea was to create a space where you can allow yourself a break. There is an area dedicated to food with a counter, tables and a light buffet; the area with computers where journalists can work or recharge their mobiles; and finally, the most convivial area, with benches and chairs. It’s furnished with some of the latest collections I designed for different companies such as Artifort, Zanat, Ikea, and Kalmar. 

Designers’ Studio at this year’s Maison&Objet Paris

What’s your favourite material?

When we touch something, we have physical and emotional sensations. We feel alive because of these. For this reason, I love exploring the different sensations that we have from different materials in my projects and collections. I love to use natural materials that are not synthetic and that preserve their raw and original qualities, like stone, brass, wood, and cork.

Can you share some of your upcoming projects with us?

I have many ongoing projects. Among my commercial projects, there’s a large-scale workspace concept in the United States; a small champagne bar in Latvia; and the new Cathay Pacific lounge in Heathrow Airport in London that follows the lounge I did in Hong Kong. Right here in Paris, my team and I have launched a new collection of furniture and accessories made in collaboration with Zanat, a company based in Bosnia that aims to preserve traditional local wood-carving techniques. We are very proud of the results: you can touch the wood we used to create them and have very good emotional sensations. Exactly what I always look for.

Cathay Pacific first class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Image by Lit Ma

Cathay Pacific first class lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Image by Lit Ma

The Perching stools designed for Artifort

Billy TL Ilse Crawford Edition

The Sinnerlig collection for Ikea. Image by Felix Odell 

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