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Design Tastemaker: Johnny Egg Gives Decor a Twist
Embracing "theatrical minimalism," the British furniture designer crafts statement pieces that will make you look twice
Furniture designer Johnny Egg lives in a house full of prototypes. Born in London to an African father and an Irish mother, the self-taught designer shares a combined home and workshop in rural Essex, United Kingdom, with his wife, two dogs, a cat and a sprinkling of chickens. The house is where furniture designs go from head to paper to digital image and prototype.
"I like to live with the furniture pieces for a bit of time before I decide if I like them or not," says Egg, who dates, numbers and signs every piece that leaves his studio. The designer, who is inspired by pop and street art, is currently adding more variations to his award-winning Twisted collection, tables with striking drawers that twist independently of one another; working on Safe, a soon-to-be-released retro-Scandinavian collection; and preparing for a retail store presence in the United States.
"I like to live with the furniture pieces for a bit of time before I decide if I like them or not," says Egg, who dates, numbers and signs every piece that leaves his studio. The designer, who is inspired by pop and street art, is currently adding more variations to his award-winning Twisted collection, tables with striking drawers that twist independently of one another; working on Safe, a soon-to-be-released retro-Scandinavian collection; and preparing for a retail store presence in the United States.
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Egg's Twisted drawers fit right into this romantic white bedroom. The crisp white hue and the sheen of the beveled-edge glass top add to the room's luminous quality. The surprise comes when you pull out the drawers and are greeted with rich, saturated color.
by Johnny Egg
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This vanity table and stool were redesigned for the U.K. home and garden department store Heal's during its 2011 bicentennial. Egg was inspired by furniture craftsman and businessman Ambrose Heal's original design as part of the Fine Feathers bedroom suite in 1898. Each of those pieces was carved with a quotation from Rudyard Kipling: "If this be vanity, who'd be wise?" Egg inscribed the same quote inside the drawers of his designs.
by Johnny Egg
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The designer gives a classic tripod floor lamp his signature flair with his four-legged flocked Daphne version. "I challenge myself by asking how I can improve on the furniture," Egg says. "Also, my wife's a great help. We both come up with ideas, work on them together and bounce ideas off each other."
This textured lamp in deep purple would make a striking conversation piece in the living room. But don't be surprised if you find guests caressing the shade's soft surface.
This textured lamp in deep purple would make a striking conversation piece in the living room. But don't be surprised if you find guests caressing the shade's soft surface.
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by Johnny Egg
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| This clock came about from Egg's need to fill an empty kitchen wall space. "Spectacular ideas come from the simplest everyday things you need around the home," he says. |
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by Johnny Egg
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| Egg's decor pieces in scarlet red enliven the subdued black and white motif of the room. |
by Johnny Egg
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The curves of the ram's horns and the bold magenta hue make this statement piece perfect for a home that needs a combination of gravitas and flair.
"I believe your home should be comfortable and reflect your personality. It's a good thing that not everybody has the same taste. But it's always good to push yourself and be brave in your choices, to go ahead and try something new in your decor."
"I believe your home should be comfortable and reflect your personality. It's a good thing that not everybody has the same taste. But it's always good to push yourself and be brave in your choices, to go ahead and try something new in your decor."
by Johnny Egg
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Egg strives for versatility with the materials he works with, using steel for strength on pieces with wide spans or frameworks, walnut or oak for the beauty of the grain, and glass for elegance. Here, the Twisted Little Sister shines without the top two drawers of the original and has a glam effect that appeals to both a masculine or feminine aesthetic.
by Johnny Egg
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This modern console would make a striking decor piece in an entryway. The rich and intricate wood grain, sleek metal finish and polished glass surface form a functional storage space with enough tabletop surface for lamps and a minimalist vignette. The drawer's interior color is the splashy finishing touch.
by Johnny Egg
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Although Egg's country home is peppered with prototypes, he is seen here with one of his favorite four-legged pieces, Otto the dog, atop the Daphne table.
More tastemakers:
Daniel Schofield
Xian Zeng's Magical Prints
Jared Rusten's Wooded Silhouettes
More tastemakers:
Daniel Schofield
Xian Zeng's Magical Prints
Jared Rusten's Wooded Silhouettes
Comments
Rough Linen Originality!
13 months ago · Like
Cathy Lara I have my eye on Dave the Ram.
13 months ago · Like
Charmean Neithart Interiors, LLC. Love the purple of the Daphne floor lamp.
13 months ago · Like
Curated See more of Johnny Egg on Houzz right here
by Curated
by Curated
Project: Johnny Egg13 months ago · Like
CAROLE MEYER So creative....I love the surprise of the color inside the drawers!
12 months ago · Like
carolcarroll cute guy cute dog!!!
12 months ago · Like
Hides and Co. Love all of his pieces especially the little turned table.
12 months ago · Like
Ideabook published on May 10, 2012.
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