By Appointment: Zoe Chan

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Zoe Chan, the British Chinese artist and designer is founder of her eponymous studio. She creates unique homes and objects which are made from natural, non-toxic materials. For ABASK she explains how her love of nature, the process of making and family inform her life and work.

Osanna Visconti Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder

$3,125
Osanna Visconti - Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder -  - ABASK -

Osanna Visconti Alga Hand-Cast Bronze Candle Holder

$3,125

Rose Uniacke Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket (118in/3m)

$4,045
Rose Uniacke - Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket -  - ABASK

Rose Uniacke Hand-Dyed Cashmere Large Blanket (118in/3m)

$4,045

Métier Playing Cards with Leather Case

$250
Métier - Playing Cards with Leather Case -  - ABASK

Métier Playing Cards with Leather Case

$250

El Casco Chrome Pencil Sharpener

$575
Chrome Pencil Sharpener

El Casco Chrome Pencil Sharpener

$575

Bzzwax Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

$172
Bzzwax - Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8) -  - ABASK -

Bzzwax Beeswax Ribbed Candles (Set of 8)

$172

Stories of Italy Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)

$600
Stories of Italy - Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6) -  - ABASK

Stories of Italy Borealis Hand-Blown Murano Glass Tumblers (Set of 6)

$600
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket -  - ABASK
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket -  - ABASK -

Baba Tree Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

$235
Sold out
Baba Tree - Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket -  - ABASK -

Baba Tree Handwoven Elephant Grass Lidded Basket

$235
Sold out

Makers Cabinet Architect Tool Set

$295
Makers Cabinet - Architect Tool Set -  - ABASK -

Makers Cabinet Architect Tool Set

$295
What role does craft and design play in your life?

It plays an enormous part. Even my drawings when designing a space are done by hand rather than using a program like CAD. The process of drawing is like the process of making in that it’s slow and immersive. I work with many master craftsmen—wood, stone, metal—and understanding the method of construction informs the design. It’s a real dialogue which results in something that is highly personal and affects the process of making.

How would you describe your interiors style?

Natural, simple and thoughtfully detailed. The best design looks effortless: it works well, looks beautiful and in my work often exposes the method of construction. For me, it’s about making the bare bones beautiful and everything I’ve used in my home is naturally sourced.

Jaejin Choi Hand-Carved Walnut Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

$194
Jaejin Choi - Hand-Carved Walnut Mixed Utensils (Set of 4) -  - ABASK

Jaejin Choi Hand-Carved Walnut Mixed Utensils (Set of 4)

$194

Takada Tawashi Skillet Brush with Beech Handle

$42
Takada - Tawashi Skillet Brush with Beech Handle - ABASK

Takada Tawashi Skillet Brush with Beech Handle

$42

Ingot Objects Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowls (Set of 4)

$176
Ingot Objects - Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowls (Set of 4) -  - ABASK

Ingot Objects Ash-Glazed Ceramic Small Tea Bowls (Set of 4)

$176

Takada Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

$176
Takada - Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3) -  - ABASK

Takada Shuro Pot Holders (Set of 3)

$176

Mervyn Gers Ceramics Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

$100
Mervyn Gers Ceramics - Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug -  - ABASK

Mervyn Gers Ceramics Hand-Glazed Ceramic Extra Large Jug

$100

Lucas Castex No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

$925
Lucas Castex - No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board -  - ABASK

Lucas Castex No. 6 Hand-Carved Oiled Walnut Serving Board

$925

The Leach Pottery Ceramic Lidded Jar

$164
The Leach Pottery - Ceramic Lidded Jar -  - ABASK

The Leach Pottery Ceramic Lidded Jar

$164

Iida Woodturning Hand-Turned Wood Bowl

$915
Iida Woodturning - Hand-Turned Wood Bowl -  - ABASK -

Iida Woodturning Hand-Turned Wood Bowl

$915
What is the best craft or design gift you’ve ever received?

I attended a wood spoon carving course at London Greenwood on Hackney City Farm where you can learn to whittle spoons and bowls. The course leader gave me a spoon he’d made. It’s such a beautiful object but also functional and you can feel the spirit of him in the spoon—you feel the human touch.

What room in your home do you do your best thinking?

In my studio… but I also do great thinking when I’m cold-water swimming in Hampstead Heath.

What is the first and last item you bought for your home?

Our home is currently under construction so the first thing was clay mud bricks and the last was baths.

Denis Colomb Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket (79in/2m)

$2,345
Sold out
Denis Colomb - Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket -  - ABASK -

Denis Colomb Dolpo Striped Nomad Cashmere Blanket (79in/2m)

$2,345
Sold out

Carl Auböck Brass and Cane Bookends

$910
Sold out
Carl Auböck - Brass and Cane Bookends -  - ABASK

Carl Auböck Brass and Cane Bookends

$910
Sold out
Hand-Cast Bronze Raggi Holder with Bronzo Candle
Osanna Visconti - Hand-Cast Bronze Raggi Holder with Bronzo Candle -  - ABASK -

Osanna Visconti Hand-Cast Bronze Raggi Holder with Bronzo Candle

$795
Sold out
Osanna Visconti - Hand-Cast Bronze Raggi Holder with Bronzo Candle -  - ABASK -

Osanna Visconti Hand-Cast Bronze Raggi Holder with Bronzo Candle

$795
Sold out

Carlo Moretti Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Water Glass

$122
Carlo Moretti - Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Water Glass - ABASK

Carlo Moretti Asymmetric Hand-Blown Murano Water Glass

$122
Shop the Collection
Woodworks by Ted Todd - Antique Live Edge Oak Chopping Board -  - ABASK
Woodworks by Ted Todd - Antique Live Edge Oak Chopping Board -  - ABASK -

Woodworks by Ted Todd Antique Live Edge Oak Chopping Board

$615
Sold out
Woodworks by Ted Todd - Antique Live Edge Oak Chopping Board -  - ABASK -

Woodworks by Ted Todd Antique Live Edge Oak Chopping Board

$615
Sold out

Benjamin Nauleau Frame Handwoven Willow Basket

$1,010
Benjamin Nauleau - Frame Handwoven Willow Basket -  - ABASK

Benjamin Nauleau Frame Handwoven Willow Basket

$1,010

Bodman Blades Hand-Forged Curly Myrtle and Damascus Steel Chef's Knife

$1,015
Bodman Blades - Hand-Forged Curly Myrtle and Damascus Steel Chef's Knife -  - ABASK -

Bodman Blades Hand-Forged Curly Myrtle and Damascus Steel Chef's Knife

$1,015

Futagami Moon Brass Trivet

$102
Futagami - Moon Brass Trivet -  - ABASK

Futagami Moon Brass Trivet

$102
Which item in your home brings you the most joy?

My candle oil burner. My mind is so active that in the evening I’m keen to wind down before I go to sleep. I turn off all my lights and just have candles to calm my parasympathetic nervous system.

What do you—or what would you like to—collect?

Stones, sticks or shells. Wherever I go, I’m drawn to nature and I bring them home as mementos of places we have been to.

What item in your home can’t you bear to part with?

My children’s drawings.

What is your go-to gift for a host?

I love to gift experiences: special, shared time together. But if it was an object, it would be Osanna Visconti’s candle holders. I love that the process of making is conveyed in her pieces. They are really organic and simple as well as being luxurious but more in their design and quality rather than looking bling.

What’s the greatest heirloom you’re most proud to pass on?

My home. There is so much making and artisanship in this house. It’s a gesamkuntswerk. I hope to pass it to my children one day—that it is their forever home that they can enjoy too.

zoeychanstudio.com