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Friday Five with Kirsty Whyte

Twenty-nine-year-old Kirsty Whyte studied Decorative Arts at Nottingham Trent University, and after graduating with first class honors in 2003, she was then invited for a semester as a guest student at Kalmar University Sweden to study glass design. After moving to London, she worked for well-known retailer Habitat, and founded Purewhyte in autumn 2008. Having also finished an internship at Tom Dixon’s Design Studio, her studio is now based in the creative hub of East London.

Purewhyte has continued to develop a strong collection, most recently launching three new products during the Milan Furniture Fair at Salone Satellite. She is the UK winner for the Swiss Design Days Geneva design competition for 2009 and recipient of the Hidden Art Award for Most Active Member 2010.

Purewhyte’s customers range from individual buyers to architects to designer-furniture retailers. All Purewhyte products are currently available for licensing. Kirsty is also available for design briefs and one off commissions.

I’ve found it really hard to only select five things that I currently love or inspire me, I’m always on the lookout for new creative input, be it trawling the internet or just walking along the street.

1. The Geometry of Pasta
This book contains 100 recipes by the Chef Jacob Kenedy, but what attracted me was the stunning black-and-white designs by Caz Hildebrand. I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, I’ve only enjoyed looking at the pictures! I also discovered this brilliant animated recipe on London Design Guide, edited by Max Fraser, which really made me smile:

2. It’s Nice That
A brilliant website launched by Will Hudson and Alex Bec. I visit their website everyday as they update the website daily, so in one click it keeps me up to date with studios and individuals from all over the world, including all creative fields, from product design, to graphics, illustration and more.

3. TED lectures
If you haven’t watched any go do it now! They are fantastic lectures from a plethora of experts from scientists to artists, something to catch the interest for everyone.

4. d.lab
I first saw the d.lab products during Maison et Objet earlier on this year, with their Objects Around  The Tablescape and then their new Pre Editions at the Milan Furniture fair. I really love their pared down use of material and form, beautiful!

5. Rosa’s
Finally I thought I add a place that I cannot walk past without going in, with its hypnotic food aroma and inviting decor. Rosa’s restaurant opened in East London near where I live and work about 18 months ago. I can’t get enough of the authentic cuisine, honest prices, friendly staff and simple but modern interior. I’m obviously not alone in this opinion as they are now really popular, having just opened a second restaurant in Soho.

Jaime Derringer, Founder + Executive Editor of Design Milk, is a Jersey girl living in SoCal. She dreams about funky, artistic jewelry + having enough free time to enjoy some of her favorite things—running, reading, making music, and drawing.