Homegirl London pays homage to Psalt Design. This is a contemporary furniture and interior product company with a strong focus on design. The owners are Richard Bell and David Powell who met at University in Sheffield. They work with local craftspeople to make small batches of well thought out products – folding table, folding bench seat, fish tank, notice board and wooden wall clocks. Everything is manufactured in the UK and the majority within a three-mile radius of their Sheffield based studio. I caught up with the duo to find out more.
Myosotis Notice Board
Meet the Psalt Design Guys
Psalt Design is a collective of skilled craftspeople that is headed up by Richard and David. They met whilst studying Furniture and Related Product Design at Sheffield Hallam University. This was the start of a friendship which grew into a design company – “Design is everywhere and for both of us is a way of life. We shared a similar design style and ethos. We later found out that our design process and the way we worked complemented each other very well.”
Richard Bell and David Powell
Their funky fish tank design (Bubble Tank) kick-started the business – “We wanted to create a brand that celebrated concept, craftsmanship, material and process and felt we had a good initial brief in taking the ‘Bubble Tank’ to market.” This started the ball rolling and their business was officially launched in November 2011.
Bubble Tank
Being located in Sheffield is important to them. The Psalt Design name actually comes from the Psalter Lane Campus in Sheffield which was the art and design campus. This is where the pair met and they wanted to pay homage to the creativity and community of the campus. They are now based at a creative workspace in Sheffield called Yorkshire Art Space – “Being based in Sheffield was a big influence because of the wealth of industry on our doorstep. We thought that with a clear vision and the abundance of skilled craftspeople so close by we would be able to create something beautiful which would take us on some amazing adventures.”
View the Psalt Design Collection
The Psalt Design products are made by craftspeople and produced in small batches. Let’s take a look at what they make.
Atlas Table: This folding table is about the pure function which is often found in architecture and structural design. The strength is provided by the quality tension system which also allows you to assemble with ease. This can be used as a desk or dining table with the ability to fold it away when not in use. This full product is manufactured within a two-mile radius of their studio in Sheffield.
Atlas Table and Bench
Atlas Bench: Industrial style seating made from solid wood oak and handmade steel tube frame. The fold-away legs come in a choice of red, blue and grey. This is also manufactured in Sheffield by a number of skilled craftspeople very close to their studio in Sheffield City Centre.
Atlas Bench
Bubble Tank: This is a funky fish tank that hangs over the edge of a shelf. It’s made by a master glassblower so each piece is unique. This product is manufactured in the UK but is polished at their studio in Sheffield. All packaging for this product is custom-made in Sheffield.
Bubble Tank
Myosotis Notice Board: This is a magnetic sheet steel notice board that is made by hand in Sheffield. It also features a lathe-turned brass component for your keys. This is available in three colours – blue, purple and red.
Myosotis Notice Board
Juxta Clock: These wooden wall clocks are available in Maple, Oak and Ashwood. The colour of the clock hands represents the painting of the timber ends at their local supply yard where the wood is from.
Juxta Clock
Buy Psalt Design Products
You can buy the Psalt Design products from www.psaltdesign.co.uk. Price guide: Atlas Table £995, Atlas Bench £395, Bubble Tank £295, Myosotis Notice Board £55 and Juxta Clock £80. They are also open to taking on commission work.
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Psalt Design. Thanks: Richard Bell and David Powell.
