Carnevale Studio | Brutiful

in Furniture by editor — 6:10 pm | May 5, 20120 comments

Beauty born of raw simplicity.

Brutiful is a starkly handsome set of clay tables, which draws inspiration from the Brutalist architecture that dominates the South Bank (London’s cultural centre), where Carnevale Studio is now based. Made in England by Naylor Industries.

Ceramics have long been associated with delicate, often decorative tableware: fine china tea sets and the like. Less glamorous, but just as interesting, are its industrial and architectural applications: clay bricks, pipes and electrical resistors – some of the mainstays of industrial societies. This is what drew Carnevale to start experimenting with clay for a furniture collection.

English decorative ceramics had their heyday in the 19th century. Although some brands remain, most manufacturing has moved to the Far East. However, a chance encounter at the Stoke-on-Trent Ceramics Biennial introduced Carnevale to Naylor Industries, a thriving, fourth generation family business based in Yorkshire in the North of England. Naylor are still mining the same seam of clay today as they ever were.

Carnevale lives and works in London near the South Bank. Heavily bombed, it was re-built after the war and became the crucible of British Brutalism in the 50’s and 60’s. Now London’s cultural centre, these looming, fortress-like buildings dominate the river bank. Their heavy lines and repeated motifs are reflected in the Brutiful collection. These pieces (a bedside table, side table and coffee table) are made to order in six weeks. For sales enquiries, please contact Sales@CarnevaleStudio.com