House Guest: Byron Friesem

Byron grew up on England’s south coast, where fields and woodland became a natural space for adventure, experimentation and making. That environment shaped an early instinct for hands-on exploration—collecting, repurposing, and working with what was around him—and seeing the landscape as both resource and inspiration. Now based in London, that curiosity continues to guide his work as a designer and tutor, closely observing materials, questioning how things are made, and finding value in what is often overlooked.

When did furniture design first capture your imagination?
It was Fay Toogood’s Roly-Poly chair that really started it all — a chair I dream of owning and think about almost weekly. It was an eye-opener to chair design and, more broadly, the world of design I wanted to play and operate within.

You grew up on the South Coast—how did that shape your way of making?
It was growing up on a farm that shaped it, really — we would joke that the farm was a playground for making and play through the summers. That same theme is still echoed in my furniture practice today in the studio.

How does city living influence the way you work with materials or design?
There are so many materials to work with, plus so many highly skilled and talented people to collaborate with and learn from. I feel that cities can really offer this density of materials and skill sets.

In what ways does play guide your design?
It’s everything. I think play is a balance of curiosity and fun—the curiosity allows you to try new things you might not otherwise do, and the fun means that when it does go wrong, it’s not that deep; you can have another go until it’s closer to what you are after.

When you start a project, do you begin with the material or the idea?
I’d say it’s actually a triangle between material, idea and process—usually starting with one, maybe two, but rarely all three points, and building the project out from there.  

What does your studio mean to you as a space for making?
Its vital - there is not enough affordable spaces to make anymore - maybe there wasn’t enough ever? 

Is there a designer, maker, or school of thought that inspires you, and why?
The work and thinking of designer Cas Holman continues to sit with me today—their wisdom on open-ended play I use daily.

Is there a specific object that you own that has a special meaning?
There’s this trophy that my mum and I exchange on our birthdays—it’s something special. I don’t even remember how it started or where it came from, but we re-gift it to each other each year. It’s a funny tradition at this point.

If you were cooking for friends, what would be on the table and in their glasses?
I reckon some sort of pasta or oven based situation for the table and margaritas for the glasses.

Best song/album for a dinner party?
I defer to my wife’s superior taste in music in these situations. 

A destination that inspires you?
Recently, I visited Goodwood Sculpture Park, which was very lovely.

A small ritual that sparks your creativity?
A studio coffee break.

Favourite piece in the Monoware collection?
I have one of the jugs and its a beauty. 

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Photography by Lluis Tudela for Solo Magazine Issue 15