Five leading designer-makers from Cornwall showcased their innovative products at the Outdoor Collection show, part of The Interiors Event, at the Birmingham NEC, on January 21-24 2007.

 

Hidden Art Cornwall and University College Falmouth collaborated to present Cornish design to an international audience. The stand called Outside Cornwall was specially designed by the Garden Design Course at University College Falmouth, and showcased products and accessories for the outdoors by five members of Hidden Art Cornwall.

 

 

100 Metres presented a range of knitted cushions and low level seating for the outdoors. The cushions are constructed from predominantly natural fibers and use traditional stitch techniques, with wooden bases constructed from Sustainable tanalised timber. Marie-Louise of 100 Metres creates patterns and textures inspired by the Cornish coastlines and countryside.

 

 

Ben Barrell showcased his sculptural 'Green Fin' seat and white 'Crescent Bench'. Ben designs and makes sculpted furniture for private, corporate and public spaces. His fluid, gravity-defying works include benches, tables and one off sculptures. Ben keeps finding more things to add to cast resin, creating seductive, silky smooth furniture.

 

 

Green and Blue showcased their award winning Birdball, in terracotta and semi-porcelain. Multiple Birdball's were effectively exhibited, hanging from a specially created arbour. Birdball is an alternative nesting space for small garden birds. Inspired by the natural forms of birds nests. Birdball provides functional nesting while adding a decorative feature to any outdoor space. Green and Blue’s award winning products have been exhibited throughout the UK and are sold in design outlets around the world.

 

 

 

Jethro Macey presented his 'Lace paving slabs' in black and grey concrete, for exterior and interior walls and floors. The paving slabs were developed through the Hidden Art Cornwall Repeat and Variation project in 2006, and when laid in multiples the decorative rose pattern is revealed. Available in white, grey and charcoal each batch of tiles are handmade to order.

 

 

 

sixixis exhibited their unique rolling summerhouse made from locally sourced green timber and a range of steam-bent flower pots.

 

The sixixis Rolling Summer House is a piece of sculpture that can be moved about into any position in your garden. It was made for children, and can be occupied, climbed on and rolled about, and is fixed in place using child-proof legs. It was designed using rules and mathematical formulas intimately linked to patterns in nature and the Golden Number. It has been likened to a giant piece of pollen. The inner layer is Oak and the outer is Ash. The Rolling Summerhouse was made using the Sixixis-grid-shell-system.

 

The sixixis Flower Pots are the worlds first and only steam bent flower pots. Available in two sizes, each one is a beautiful and unique work of art with it’s own personality. As a limited edition of 500, each is handmade, signed and numbered by one of the sixixis team, perfect for herbs in the kitchen or flowers on the patio. The sixixis Flower Pot is made from locally sourced, sustainable ash, which is carefully steamed and bent into shape. It is finished with a coat of durable, weather-proof varnish allowing it to be used indoors or outdoors.