psalt design combines sheffield craft heritage with thoughtful objects image

Psalt Design combines Sheffield craft heritage with thoughtful objects

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.

psalt design notice board

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 and Dave Psalt Design

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.

psalt design bubble tank fish tank

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.

psalt design atlas table and bench

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.

paslt design atlas bench

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.

psalt design bubble tank

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.

psalt design notice board

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.

psalt design clock

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.

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