I love vintage, but here’s my pick of contemporary designers

If you have a question for Luke about design and stylish living, email him at lukeedward.hall@ft.com. Follow him on Instagram @lukeedwardhall

I notice you often write about antiques or vintage pieces in your column. If I were looking for some contemporary design inspiration, where would you recommend?

I often recommend buying antique and vintage pieces and I’ve given many reasons for this in the past: they can be remarkably good value, it’s the sustainable choice and, aesthetically speaking, I usually prefer the patina of old age, the quirks and handsome scars that come as standard with old bits of furniture.

Plus, there’s that palpable air of romance that hangs around antiques: the notion of past lives and countless unknowable stories. This philosophy, if you like, applies not only to my interiors.

I bought a car last December after three months of searching. I couldn’t work out what I wanted, but I knew that almost every model of car made in the past 10 years made my heart sink. In the end I went for a forest green 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ.

I don’t believe the design of this car can be beaten: its squared-off shape and clean lines are utterly perfect, particularly compared with the equivalent cars made these days, which seem to resemble ugly sneakers with unattractive and unnecessary components such as quilted leather dashboards.

I realise that my petrol Jeep is not entirely environmentally friendly, but
I plan to trade it in for something electric when electric cars become more affordable — and the four-wheel drive is a must, as we live down a track.

Yes, I love a tassel, a Meissen shepherd, a pair of chintz curtains, but this doesn’t mean that I’m stuck in the past or that I dislike contemporary design. My taste steers me towards filling my life with lovely old things, but I enjoy a mix. I wouldn’t want to live in a house exclusively given
over to antiques. I favour the odd contemporary table here or lamp there, an 85/15 split, if you will.

Of course, one wouldn’t call this look “cutting edge”, because antiques will always feature prominently, but I find this approach much more exciting
and innovative than a completely contemporary interior. It takes skill and an eye to mix decades and periods well. The ideal result should be a truly stylish and individual look. Think of David Hicks — his 1960s interiors still shriek modernity, I believe.

So, where to look for contemporary furniture design? I’m a fan of The Invisible Collection, an online showcase of furniture designed by artists and interior designers. The service is rather genius, actually, as it allows the public to gain access to the world of an interior designer without committing to a full look.

The Invisible Collection aims to support local communities with its production, and the furniture and objects it sells are made to order, meaning waste is avoided. These are items that are intended to stand the test of time and be passed on to future generations.

The roster of designers is astounding, with names including Pierre Yovanovitch, Studio KO and Joseph Dirand offering their wares. Some of my favourite pieces include Le Berre Vevaud’s Giulia coffee table, which has black and grey lacquered wooden balls and a glass top, and Etel’s Ar Swivel armchair, with its blocky shape and chic rattan sides.

Look to websites such as Amara for interesting selections, too.
Amara stocks HAY, the Danish design company that can do no wrong,
in my opinion. Last week I mentioned its new timeless Arbour sofa, which comes in various colour and material combinations including lacquered red wood and cream fabric.

Kartell’s Jolly side table, designed by Paolo Rizzatto, is another favourite — inexpensive, fun and available in transparent pink polycarbonate. What more could you ask for?

Last, look to Jermaine Gallacher. I’m really enjoying this designer and dealer’s offbeat offering, which can be viewed online. (In normal times, Gallacher runs a London showroom-cum-gallery space on Lant Street, which is handily also home to a wine bar.)

Miranda Keyes’s daffodil yellow and emerald green jesmonite and glass bowl has caught my eye, as have artist Ben Burgis’s chain tables, made for an exhibition at Gallacher’s called Smoke and Mirrors.

I would want to temper the thrill of the modern with old things: that transparent pink side table with a chunky Edwardian wingback armchair, say. But that’s just me.

I read a fascinating book about the New Romantics recently (Sweet Dreams by Dylan Jones) and it struck me that this eccentric pop culture movement of the late 1970s and early 1980s appeals to me in such a huge way because it was all about historically inspired fashion and cultural references mixed with thoroughly futuristic, sometimes even rather alien music.

Those hard, juddering, shiny songs made by bands like Ultravox in the 1980s sound better in rooms stuffed with old things, cushions and clutter, I’ve always thought. It’s the thrill of the contrast. Contrast is king!

Luke Edward Hall will discuss the dos and don’ts of interior design at the FT Weekend Digital Festival. Tickets at ftweekendfestival.com

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