Sonya Loves
Sonya Loves: Modern Contemporary Designers 2024
Welcome to ‘Sonya Loves,’ our celebration of modern designers and their mesmerising creations.
In this space, we explore the artistry that defines contemporary design, bringing you closer to the creative minds who are shaping our visual landscape. Whether it’s the latest original art, cutting-edge furniture, or beautifully crafted homeware, we seek to highlight the exceptional talent and unique vision of designers from across the globe.
1.Shira Barzilay (@Koketit)
Artist Shira Barzilay
Shira Barzilay is an Israeli artist known for her unique and modern approach to digital art. Operating under the nickname “Koketit,” Barzilay has gained international recognition for her minimalist and elegant line drawings, often featuring abstract faces and figures. While she primarily works in the digital medium, creating art on her iPad, Barzilay also explores other forms of expression such as fashion and interior homeware, even collaborating with numerous international brands such as H&M, IKEA, and Vogue.
Barzilay’s work often blurs the boundaries between art and design, reflecting her belief that creativity should permeate all aspects of life. Her foray into fashion includes designing exclusive collections and modern art pieces that infuse her signature style into wearable art.
Website: www.koketit.com
Instagram: @koketit
2. Philip Watts (@philipwatts_design)
Designer Philip Watts and his ‘Branch’ Door Handle
Philip Watts is a British designer renowned for his innovative approach to interior and product design. With a distinctive style that combines elements of art, architecture, and engineering, Watts has made significant contributions to both residential and commercial modern design projects.
Philip Watts Design is particularly well-known for its custom door handles, pulls, and handrails. These pieces are often sculptural and artistic, serving as focal points on grand front doors or entryways. He views these everyday objects as opportunities to introduce creativity into typically mundane spaces.
The Branch series draws inspiration directly from the natural world, capturing the intricate details and organic beauty of tree branches. The designs reflect Watts’ fascination with nature and the handle surfaces often feature detailed textures that resemble the bark of real branches.
Website: https://www.philipwattsdesign.com/
Instagram: @philipwatts_design
3. Frances Priest (@francesprieststudio)
Artist Frances Priest and her Ceramic Vases
Frances Priest is a distinguished Scottish ceramist known for her intricate and vibrant contemporary ceramic works that often explore themes of pattern, decoration, and cultural history. Her work stands out for its meticulous attention to detail and the rich interplay of color and texture. Each piece is hand-painted, allowing for a high degree of detail and finds inspiration in textiles, architecture and traditional folk art.
Priest has work represented in private collections across the globe as well as UK public collections, including The Fitzwilliam Museum, The Victoria & Albert Museum, and The National Museum of Scotland.
“I am a pattern obsessive and lover of colour” – Frances Priest
Website: http://www.francespriest.co.uk/
Instagram: @francesprieststudio
4. Otto Tiles and Design (@ottotiles)
Founder & Creative Director of Otto Tiles and Design Damla Turgut and their ‘Valencia’ tiles
Otto Tiles and Design is a company that specializes in producing and supplying high-quality, artisan tiles. Known for their distinctive and artistic designs, Otto Tiles and Design offers a wide range of products that cater to both modern and traditional aesthetics.
Otto Tiles and Design’s philosophy combines traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities, featuring bold patterns that can serve as focal points, rich colors that make their tiles stand out, and versatility suitable for applications such as flooring, backsplashes, and feature walls. They offer customization options, allowing clients to create bespoke tile designs tailored to their specific needs and preferences, a service particularly popular among designers and architects aiming to create unique, personalized spaces.
UK Website: https://www.ottotiles.co.uk/
US Website: https://www.ottotiles.com/
Instagram: @ottotiles
5. Kevin Umana (@kevinumana)
Artist Kevin Umana and his collection of ‘Hybrid Paintings’
Kevin Umana is a contemporary artist whose work is characterized by its vibrant geometric abstractions. His paintings and installations often feature bold, colourful patterns that create a sense of rhythm and movement, inviting viewers to explore the interplay between form and colour.
Based in Brooklyn, New York, his recent works “hybrid paintings,” combine glazed ceramics on painted canvas, inspired by his memories from childhood of plants, community beaches, local cuisine, and religious experiences.
In addition to his studio practice, Kevin Umana is active in the art community, participating in exhibitions and collaborative projects both nationally and internationally. Umaña is the co-founder of The Ekru Project, an artist-run Kansas City gallery focused on contemporary, emerging and underrepresented artists. Institutions owning his work include The United Nations Art Collection, New York; Everson Museum of Art, Syracuse, NY; Muson, Utica, NY; Fidelity Mutual Funds Collection; Center for Book Arts Library, New York; and The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art.
Website: https://kevin-umana.com/
Instagram: @kevinumana
The Kandinsky 1 Rug by Sonya Winner
We hope you enjoyed this month’s ‘Sonya Loves’ feature, where we celebrate the creativity and innovation of some Sonya’s favourite modern designers. From Shira Barzilay’s elegant digital line drawings to Philip Watts’ sculptural interior designs, these modern artists and designers offer unique perspectives and exceptional craftsmanship.
If you’re feeling inspired by these contemporary designers and would like more ideas on how to bring modern art into your home, consider adding our Kandinsky Collection, a series of modern area rug designs inspired by the iconic artist Wassily Kandinsky.
The Kandinsky Collection is a limited edition series of 3 colourful art rugs which feature painterly circular motifs woven in hand-dyed 100% New Zealand wool yarn. Sonya’s love for art has always been a great inspiration during her design process. Sonya aims to capture not only the essence of Kandinsky’s artistic legacy but also to infuse the area rug with a contemporary design that allows you to transform conventional floor space into functional art underfoot.
Explore our full Modern Rug Collection and then request a complimentary visualisation service and you will see our award winning designer rugs placed digitally in your room(s) and the transformational effect they will have in your home.
If you need assistance in choosing some colourful rugs or runners for visualisation, please book a free video consultation with our design team by emailing enquiry@sonyawinner.com or call us +44 (0) 203 283 8776.
