Established in 2021, Monoware embarked on a distinct mission: designing timeless tabletop essentials without compromise. Guided by founder Daniel Baer's vision, we meticulously craft a cohesive collection of trusted design essentials using high-quality materials. This commitment sets a new benchmark in a world of ever-evolving trends and consumption, embodying enduring quality and purposeful design. As London Craft Week approaches from May 13-19, we reflect on the significance and central role of the making process and collaborating with skilled makers.
Crafting Inspiration
All products are deeply rooted in how we live our daily lives. We draw a lot of information from ordinary objects, in particular the ones which perform a function we usually take for granted. Generally, every design starts with the question: how can we improve an everyday object we use everyday? A good example is our stainless steel cutlery range. These are important utensils which we all use on a daily basis and if poorly designed, can negatively impact how we enjoy our meal.
Crafting Connections with Makers
To keep our ecological footprint as low as possible, we always look first to collaborate with makers and businesses close to home. Behind each design piece lies a unique story intimately entwined with the talented makers and family workshops we collaborate with. That’s particularly important with our Small Batch line, for which we work closely with UK-based makers and support them through yearly design commissions. For our core collections, we are relying on the expertise of two family-run businesses in Portugal, a country with a rich history and tradition in producing ceramics and cutlery. We made a conscious decision to collaborate with makers, partners and factories who care about the long-term impact of our products – the ones who are actively committed to reducing their footprint by constantly re-evaluating how things are made.
Crafted with Purposeful Materials
At Monoware, we advocate for ‘buying to last’ and that is reflected in our material choices. Stoneware was an obvious choice for our ceramics due to its many great qualities: it is durable, long-lasting and retains heat evenly. Besides that, it can go into the oven, microwave and dishwasher, which is very useful for everyday use at home, but also in busy hospitality settings. The cutlery is made out of 18/10 stainless steel, which is the highest grade and guarantees that the utensils are hard wearing, rust-resistant and dishwasher safe.
Crafting From and Function
Form and function stake center-stage in the design process. Designing everyday tools means they need to be crafted to fulfill their purpose with the greatest comfort and precision. At Monoware, we create products with forms that blend modern and traditional aesthetics, but with subtle complexities. For example, our popular Everyday Mug has a soft square profile at the base that merges into a round top. Such fine detailing has enabled us to develop a contemporary language that is still rooted in familiar and archetypal forms that have withstood the test of time.
To learn more about our story, you can read it here.
