More than the sum of its parts: Tollgård at London Design Week

Contemporary design duo Staffan and Monique Tollgård first founded their interior design studio 15 years ago and have been at the forefront of inspiring and beautifully crafted homes and spaces ever since. Born in Sweden and South Africa respectively, the husband-and-wife team share a love of brands who not only embody beautiful craftsmanship and design, but also celebrate storytelling and culture within their unique works.

Tollgård’s international showrooms – including three in London’s Chelsea and Belgravia – feature some of the duo’s favourite global brands and individual pieces that are creatively designed to bring an unrivalled level of beauty into our homes.

From legacy Italian artists to emerging South African sculptors, artisans and studios creating furniture, lighting and home accessories, these are the ones to watch.

Fresh from Tolgård’s showcase at London Design Week, Tempus takes a look at some of our favourite contemporary pieces that are exciting these top designers.

Man of Parts

With travel as its muse, Man of Parts offers an exciting capsule collection of seating, tables, lighting and accessories designed to improve the time one spends at home. Founded by Munich- native Stephan Weishaupt, who’s philosophy centres on the idea that we need only a few items, but each one should be beautifully made and there to enhance the way we live. From the floating Via Del Corso armchairs (previous and right) to the sweeping fisherman’s arc of the Takayama floor lamp (below), this is outstanding minimal design with flare.

Okha

Tollgård is the UK’s only distributor of Cape Town-based Okha, and the studio describes this impressive brand as embodying South Africa’s “artisanal history and unrivalled beauty” to create stunning furniture built to last. Adam Court founded the brand, collaborating with South African artists to blur the line between art and interior design. Court favours organic materials like brass, leather, copper, timber, marble and stone – as seen in the brand’s new Tectra 2 Coffee Tables (above), and sumptuous Repose sofa (left), which sits on polished brass plinths.

Molteni & C

Established in 1934 by Angelo Molteni, this global brand began as a simple furniture store in Giussano, Monzo. Today’s timeless designs maintain that passion for quality Italian craftsmanship, while the brand’s Heritage Collection – in collaboration with the Gio Ponti Archives – is giving new life to Molteni’s historic classics. A stand out release is the D.848.1 console desk (right) – reborn in 2021 after 70 years – and one whose wing-like curves and rounded front became a hallmark of many Ponti products.

Ceccotti Collezione

Celebrating 60 years of craftsmanship, Italian brand Ceccotti Collezioni is a firm favourite of Tollgård. Known for its bespoke ‘products of the author’ one-off pieces, Ceccotti Collezioni also produces playful collections perfect for any space, and that fully show the brand’s impeccable craftsmanship and statement style. Ceccotti also works with artists and designers for special pieces – such as the newly launched T-Bone chair designed by Jaime Hayon.

Giorgetti

This Brianza-based Italian design brand began life in 1898 as a carpentry workshop, outfitting the homes of local Italian nobility. It has grown to become one of the world’s most instantly recognisable studios thanks to its unique style. The brand’s ollection of sofas, beds, tables and seating still use traditional woodworking practises, with quality in every stroke. A perfect examples of Giorgetti’s contemporary yet comfortable ethos is this Hug armchair – made from solid walnut canaletto wood and available in a variety of upholstery options.

tollgard.com