The main attraction at the Standard Hotel—aka Noho Design District HQ—was "Making 101," a live demonstration from Makers & Brothers, a design and craft collective located in Ireland. Jonathan and Mark Legge (the brothers) teamed up to create "an online retail venture founded on simple things; the handmade, objects of integrity, contemporary vernaculars, a curation of everyday design and craft." They had an offering of some of the items they sell online available for purchase, like Padraig Larkin's Willow Rattle made with nuts inside, the housemade Wooden Spinning Top and the 3-Legged Stools by James Carroll, who was making them there in person.
Based on an old Irish milking stool archetype, Carroll's stools are roughly hewn; The seat is smooth but pocked with his carvings and the legs are whittled to an approximate size and then fitted into the base of the seat. Carroll moved with ease around the stacks of timber in his temporary studio in the front window of the Standard. While we chatted it was clear he had made this stool hundreds of times. The back and forth motion of working the shaving-horse was so natural to him that he didn't miss a stroke as he casually reached into his pocket and handed me his business card.
Normally, however, Carroll makes his stools in the Wicklow Mountains. According to Legge brothers, he "has an intuitive feel for seeing the potential beauty in each branch and always brings out the best in the timber." Check out his cozy-looking sheepskin version.
Create a Core77 Account
Already have an account? Sign In
By creating a Core77 account you confirm that you accept the Terms of Use
Please enter your email and we will send an email to reset your password.