Studio Rhonda

IMPOSSIBLE MACHINES is a collection of 30 lifestyle products designed exclusively for the Science Museum & Darkroom. Each print and product is inspired by the beauty of geometry found in science.

I spent several days at the Science Museum drawing and recording details of shapes found in everything from locomotives to tiny electrical components. The resulting designs are hybrid and abstracted forms that resemble machines, albeit impossible ones.

The collection has been manufactured in the UK to reduce the carbon footprint whilst retaining an accessible price point.

Available exclusively at the beautifully refurbished Science Museum shop.

Photography: Veerle Evans

Chopping boards designed for Darkroom.

SLICE [black]
Designed to be both functional and sculptural, the Slice Chopping Board series is a modern approach to practical kitchenware. The thin boards are made from a revolutionary material formed from recycled paper & eco-resin, creating a tactile experience for use as a chopping board or serving trivet.

LONDON [wood]
Milled from wood salvaged from London trees that were felled for construction sites that otherwise would have been chipped. The LONDON chopping boards combine functionality with sculptural beauty. Each board is hand cut and finished in London and is completely unique.

The BLOK series of furniture was designed to celebrate DARKROOM’s 10th BIRTHDAY COLLECTION — WOODERNISM.
For this milestone collection, I looked both to the past and the future. The result is a capsule collection of objects based on the beauty, sustainability and functionality of wood — a traditional material, given a very contemporary makeover.

I explored monuments of ancient civilisations to find examples of simpler aesthetics and language codes, in particular the structural forms found at Stonehenge and from the Aztec empire. The strength of these pieces lies in their simplicity: the thick, linear silhouettes boldly framing the character of the woodgrain surfaces. Each piece is hand-stained with water-based, brightly coloured pigments.

Available to order from DARKROOM
Reviewed by Sight Unseen
Photography: Veerle Evans

Modular hand-painted concrete and terracotta plant pots.

Designed for Darkroom

I was invited by British eyewear brand Cubitts to design my own pair of glasses along with artists/designers Yinki Ilori, Luke Edward Hall and George-Henry Longley.

My glasses are inspired by model, artist’s muse and WW2 war correspondant/photographer, Lee Miller.

As a fashion and artists model based in Paris in the 20’s & 30’s, Miller personified elegance and grace. She collaborated with and was a muse for both Picasso and Surrealist, Man Ray — her intelligence and wit easily matching her beauty.

In the 2nd World War, Miller was one of only 4 female photographers accredited to the US Army, documenting the liberation of Europe. In the final days of the war, Miller followed her regiment into Hitlers bunker, Buchenwald and Dachau...

I wanted to create a pair of glasses that are inspired by the simplicity and utility of WW2 militaria, yet also have a nod to the

elegance of 1920’s Paris. The half-framed utilitarian shape contrasts with the amber coloured acetate that allude to the frosted glassware of Lalique Paris.

A series of 3 tables with bespoke encaustic tiled surfaces housed within elegant metal frames. 

The dining table, console and coffee table were designed for Made.com

Purchase the Vitti collection exclusively at Made.com

View the Made.com feature and interview of designer Rhonda Drakeford

The Construct terracotta series originated as an exploration of clay. Playing on the theme of building blocks and bricks, this series has evolved from small abstract objects to larger sculptural pots & trays. Hand-made in London these objects are perfectly imperfect, cut precisely but formed and fired into slightly warped versions of themselves.

The Construct Series can be thread with ropes, hold potted plants or even be used as fruit bowls.

Purchase Construct ceramics here.

hand-mosaiced series of tables designed as part of the 'Off the Grid' season for Darkroom.

Commissions available on request.

An ongoing series of hand-painted ceramic plates.

Designed for Darkroom.

Custom made tiled furniture for use indoors and out.

An erganomic series of three hand mirrors with suggestive and playful shapes. Hand bound with coloured waxed cotton tapes.

The mirrors were shortlisted for the Wallpaper* design awards.

Designed for Darkroom

Tableware series of enamelware, hand dipped to create a charming half-half effect.

Designed for Darkroom

Housed in spun anodised aluminium vessels and topped with sculptural cork lids, Darkrooms signature scented candles have been infused with two unusual scents to alter the atmosphere of your space. After burning, the vessels are designed to be reused as unusual containers.
The stepped lidded White Tea candle and the domed lidded charcoal Candle create sensory journeys through black and white.

Designed for Darkroom

Based on half an undigitised font found in an old book with 15 new characters drawn. These alphabet pendants are hand cut and finished in London.

Designed for Darkroom.

Handwoven Kelim rug designed as a collaboration with Darkroom and Floor_Story to celebrate Darkroom's 5th birthday.

Buy the rug here!

Created in 2005 — an ongoing series of cushions made from African wax print fabrics collected by Rhonda Drakeford. Teamed with chunky, contrast coloured piping, these cushions were nominated for the Elle Decoration design awards and went on to become a signature product at Darkroom.

Colour coded cork lidded storage jars.

Designed for Darkroom