Jason and I went on an incredibly inspiring trip to the Maison et Objet show in Paris last week and came across the Portuguese company Carlos Alfredo. As we inspected the traditional joinery methods used in making these surprisingly modern and innovative designs, we were offered the finest port wine.
The company has been successfully trading for over half a decade making traditional dining suites. However, the Wewood venture is a new platform in which the company collaborates with young independent designers, breathing fresh life into conventional joinery methods.
Amongst my favourites was a chest of drawers called Touch by design studio Suricata.
Each drawer has a gentle curve enabling a hidden handle, as well as a slow closing mechanism. The base is made from steel, allowing the entire unit to appear as though it's hovering weightlessly above the ground.
Another piece, the BS01 desk designed by Bruno Serraro, has a ludicrous amount of hidden storage compartments, drawers and a cable guard built into the top. A very clever solution to consolidate storage.
It was incredibly impressive to see such fun and thoughtful design made for solid wood. One of the highlights of my visit this year without a doubt!
We've just put our new pieces from 
Uber cool birdhouses from Etienne Esmenjaud. If you'd like to see more birds in your garden, these nesting boxes provide homes for robins & wrens (Mrs Birdee) and all manner of tits (Mr Birdee). They attach easily to many supports and come flat packed in recycled packaging. Made of PEFC materials, the nest boxes are easy enough for a child to assemble and need no glue, nails or screws. 
