The timeless designs, true to the contemporary ethos, actualized by the organic materials, is the best way the designs and the creations of the diva can be explained.
Bethan Gray is a London based most celebrated furniture and homeware designer with four Elle Decoration British Design Awards including the coveted Best British Tableware Designer.
Her coherence with travel and the mystique Indian connection is something that draws my curiosity towards her enigmatic style of creation.
How does she manage to soak up the cultures in her designs so well?
“My Grandmother was a Romani Gypsy. I was brought up to be proud of my roots and open to other cultures – that is why I love travelling so much”, says Gray.
The inexhaustible supply of design inspirations provided by nature is her final go-to when it comes to creating something new and innovative.
She is definitely someone who eschews the notion of being ‘on-trend’ and rather pushes her boundaries of craft and techniques by amalgamating the thoughts of merging diverse materials like leather and brass to produce designs that are tactile and engaging.
“A lot of my designs are inspired by nature, so it makes absolute sense to work with natural materials. I love their imperfections, their tactility, and the limitations they put on the making process, which I love to challenge”.
Her Shamsian collection is exemplary proof of her passion and love for the culture of the Middle East.
It wasn’t hard to believe when the fort of Nizwa at Oman became her inspiration for this collection.
The Shamsian collection is typically characterized by geometrical and harmonious patterns and collaborations with local artists in a way that resonates with both the people to whom the stories belong and audiences all over the world.
“Even the most complex pattern becomes harmonious when you get it just right. I think my instinct for geometry comes from my family’s Indian and Middle Eastern heritage”.
Her Shamsian collection is made in collaboration with master craftsman Mohammad Reza Shamsian and his Muscat-based workshop of highly skilled artisans using ancient techniques, such as 16th-century marquetry, combined with cutting-edge technology and the finest natural materials including marble, hand-stained maple, and brass.
Bethan Gray designed a café for Ambiente in Frankfurt, the world’s largest trade fair for interior products, as part of Messe Frankfurt’s selection of the United Kingdom as a partner country.
Jade Serenity has been conceived as a calm oasis, reminiscent of the seashore and the beach, resulting in an inclusive, inviting, and comfortable environment.
Featuring symmetry, texture, and a muted colour palette, it is a place to relax, reflect, re-energize, and restore a sense of balance and harmony.
With hand-dyed Italian veneer, marquetry, and solid brass inlay applied by master craftsmen, Cafe Jade Serenity features exquisite pieces available through Bethan Gray Designs.
Her collaboration with Rado watches is the epitome of her love for design and perfection.
Within her own practice in London, she nurtures, connects, and encourages new design talent and mentors upcoming female designers.
She has recently launched a Prize for Women in Craft with Cardiff Metropolitan University where she is an honorary fellow.
Bethan Gray, with her mixed inspirations of designs, is truly the epitome of poise and creativity.