Cosy Craft: Meet interior design duo Granite + Smoke

Granite + Smoke design rugs, blankets and quilts – the things that make winter cosy and comforting. They create homewares for ‘conscious consumers’, those of us who are increasingly drawn to items that are of heirloom quality. A quilt that can be passed on to future generations or a soft wool throw that’s made from 100% recycled post-consumer textile waste is a purchase we can justify, in contrast to the more trends-led consumerism of the recent past. 

Granite + Smoke are a stylist’s dream. Their homewares evoke that hard-to-define quality that is often described as the thing that ‘pulls the room together’. Contemporary design meets traditional craft in a harmonious way that still employs a bold use of colour and pattern and an inimitable approach to structure and balance. The interior design marketplace is hugely competitive and notoriously difficult to break into for independent designers – nevertheless Granite + Smoke are fast-becoming a go-to studio for timeless designs that effortlessly bring together the appeal of mid-century rigour and modern-day exuberance.

For designers Lindsey Hesketh and Claire Canning – based in Aberdeen and London respectively – the name Granite + Smoke is a reflection of their shared history.

“Growing up in Scotland has shaped our appreciation of nature, storytelling and traditions, while the fast-paced vibrancy of urban life in London keeps us inspired by its energy and attuned to emerging ideas. Our work draws inspiration from the many contrasts between these two places and experiences. We think this balance of tradition and modernity inspired by two very different but equally creative worlds helps give our designs a unique voice.”

Hesketh and Canning enjoy working with manufacturers who have generations of craft history to draw from. Their lambswool and cashmere throws are crafted at a Scottish mill dating back to 1866, while their recycled lambswool blankets are woven at a 150 year old mill in the north of England; the last remaining traditional weaver in a town that in the late 1920s boasted over 100,000 looms.

“Working with historical weaving experts using a combination of traditional and modern techniques, each one of our blankets goes through twelve processes. We have recently started working with a small family-run workshop in Delhi to make our 100% organic cotton quilted products – we are open to working with manufacturers abroad who meet our criteria for sustainability, quality, fair working wages and good working conditions.”

The studio is known for a nuanced approach to colour that complements modern interiors where neutral Scandinavian style backdrops are punctuated with bold colourways.

“We love colour and especially enjoy playing with and testing combinations that aren’t obviously complementary, but feel fresh and evoke feelings of friendliness, optimism and joy when used in certain orders and proportions.”

Loops Rug

As we enter a new year many of us are thinking about fresh concepts for our homes. With a shared background that spans architecture, interiors and textiles, Hesketh and Canning have precisely the set of skills required to create some of the UK’s most covetable homewares – how do they approach texture and colour throughout the year in their own homes?

“We think it’s important for our homes to be light with a sense of warmth. Both our homes have fairly neutral backgrounds and use natural and sustainable materials such as timber flooring and joinery giving a sense of warmth and timelessness. Colour and texture is added mostly through layering of furniture, objects and art. We don’t believe you need to make big interior changes throughout the year, apart from the decorations at Christmas time! We believe in investing in pieces of art and furniture that we love and that we’ll keep, but can also be moved around to make subtle changes – like a colourful wool rug or blanket. We also love buying and mixing vintage pieces at auction with contemporary modern designs. The details within a home are what gives it character and personality.”

Does their grounding in Scottish culture reveal itself in their designs?

“Scotland has a rich heritage and cultural identity, from tartan to traditional dress. Its long history of myths and dramatic landscapes of rugged coastlines and misty Highlands sit alongside a reputation for innovation and problem-solving, friendliness and togetherness and not taking ourselves too seriously. Our aim is to create enduring, approachable and joyful people-centred design and our upbringing and grounding in Scottish culture can be seen in the way we approach projects, designs and the people we engage with. We like to work with like-minded people with a positive outlook and a can-do attitude. We believe working collaboratively and learning from other people's skills is essential to bringing innovative design to life.”

With sustainability being a key part of their practice – how do those values express themselves in their decision-making as designers and producers?

“Sustainability is a key value and consideration in everything we do, from sourcing materials from accredited suppliers meeting high standards of environmental care, animal welfare and social sustainability to ensuring any dyes and processes used are as environmentally friendly as possible. These values are also reflected in the products we make to a degree, for example rugs and blankets not only give a feeling or mood to a space, but also offer a physical sense of comfort by providing insulation and warmth.”

With their intertwined passion for design and creativity, and impressive career trajectory it's hard to imagine the women behind Granite + Smoke doing anything else, but if the design world hadn’t captured their hearts what completely different enterprise might we find them involved in?

“When I was younger I was obsessed with looking at travel magazines and did work experience in a travel agency. After studying architecture I went travelling and lived in New Zealand for a year and discovered my love for different foods and cultures, so if I wasn’t a designer then I think I’d probably be doing something related to food and travel!” says Hesketh.

“I love the outdoors and keeping active and I’m interested in regenerative growing and farming. If I wasn’t a designer I think I might be a horticulturist,” says Canning.

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To see Granite + Smoke’s new rug collection made in collaboration with British rug makers Roger Oates Design and their exquisite patchwork cotton quilts head to graniteandsmoke.com
@graniteandsmoke
@stacey___hunter
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