Curated by Mentsen and twentytwentyone and featuring works by Elliott Denny, Jones Neville, Michael Marriott, Ian McIntyre, Mentsen, and Eleanor Pritchard, Making Sense: Designing in London offers a shared perspective on the space between handmade and industrial production, while reflecting on the challenges of designing, making, and running a London-based studio. The title plays on the idiom ‘makes sense’, highlighting how each designer considers culture, economy, and environment, while also engaging with material, form, and function through the act of making. Structured around interconnected areas for living, working, and learning, the show fosters dialogue between studios and encourages visitors to pause, read, and engage with the work. A limited-edition publication, based on a round-table discussion with the contributors and a curated library by Jasper Morrison, accompanies the exhibition.
Selected exhibits will be available to purchase in-store and online via twentytwentyone.com
With thanks: Another Country, Blackhorse Lane Ateliers, Glasgow Wood, Hand & Eye Studio, Jasper Morrison, Metrocs, Monoware, VG&P, Wrong Shop, Zilio A&C
View from courtyard
View from inside
This group exhibition showcased a wider selection of each designer’s work, including some new and recent designs developed for this show. Alongside self-produced pieces, manufactured items by brands were also displayed, highlighting the design approaches at various scales of production.
Among the exhibits are ceramic architectural fittings by Elliott Denny, including extruded floor tiles and door handle. These are a direct result of experiments from his recent design residency at the Architectural Association, London.
Ian McIntyre will present handmade ceramic jars and tableware with unique decorative slip techniques applied in his Hackney studio, contrasting his monochromic work for design brands Another Country and Monoware.
Michael Marriott’s new modular shelving system for charity and social enterprise, Glasgow Wood, constructed in reclaimed and repurposed timber, will form part of the display alongside self-produced pieces and his Croquet shelving for VG&P.
Studio-produced Douglas fir stools by Jones Neville were designed for the recently opened E5 Bakehouse at the V&A Storehouse in Stratford, making it a good example of independent local businesses collaborating with an established institution. Also their 4-meter-long art shelving produced for Wrong Shop will house photography by Valeria Armeni from her visits to each designer’s studio.
Eleanor Pritchard will preview her new collaboration with Japanese company Metrocs—a floor rug crafted from hemp and wool, alongside her UK mill-woven wool blankets and cushions and her hand-woven wall hangings.
Mentsen’s special edition Genie lounge chair celebrates a story of London-made. Manufactured in collaboration by Walthamstow neighbours— furniture manufacturer VG&P and renowned craft denim maker Blackhorse Lane Atelier—this project stands as a compelling testament to the power of local craftsmanship. It’s an encouraging example of how skills can be united to produce high-quality, commercially viable products in London. Other Mentsen designs from Zilio A&C and British company Hand & Eye complete the display.
Entrance, right side
Entrance, left side
Door handle
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2025
Floor tiles
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2025
Stopp door stopper, prototype
Michael Marriott
Produced for Panel, 2021
On wall by the handles:
Pasodoble wire hooks
Michael Marriott
Self production, 2024
Ernö wall hooks
Michael Marriott
Self production, 2016
By the staircases:
Niwaki wall hook
Jones Neville
Self production, initially designed for Niwaki, 2024
E5 stools
Jones Neville
Self production, initially designed for E5 Bakehouse / V&A East, 2025
Melina pendant
Mentsen
Produced by Hand & Eye Studio, 2021
Door handle and floor tiles, Elliott Denny and Stopp door stopper, Michael Marriott
E5 stools, Jones Neville
Niwaki wall hooks, Jones Neville
Pasodoble wire hooks and Ernö wall hooks, Michael Marriott
With introduction panel
Overview of 'Dining' area
View from 'Working' area
Croquette shelving
Michael Marriott
Produced by VG&P, 2000
Monoware Core collection
Ian McIntyre
Produced by Monoware, 2020
Monoware Barista collection
Ian McIntyre
Produced by Monoware, 2024
Coggeshall blanket
Eleanor Pritchard
Produced by Eleanor Pritchard, 2024
Mass chair
Mentsen
Self production, 2023
Mela pendant
Mentsen
Produced by Hand & Eye Studio, 2019
Stoneware streak bowls
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2025
BB larch folding table & bench
Jones Neville
Self production, 2015
XL-1 Kit chair
Michael Marriott
Self production, 1992
Bacchette folding chair
Mentsen
Produced by Zilio A&C, 2022
Monoware Barista collection, Ian McIntyre and Croquette shelving, Michael Marriott
Coggeshall blanket, Eleanor Pritchard
XL-1 Kit chair, Michael Marriott
Stoneware streak bowls, Elliott Denny
BB larch folding table & bench Jones Neville
Coggeshall blanket, Eleanor Pritchard and Mass dining chair, Mentsen
Overview of 'Working' area
Art shelf
Jones Neville
Self production, the shown unit was produced for Wrong Shop, 2022
Trestle table
Jones Neville
Self production, 2010
Trestle leg low stools
Jones Neville
Self production, 2010
E5 low stools
Jones Neville
Self production, initially designed for E5 Bakehouse / V&A East, 2025
Olá chairs
Michael Marriott
Self production, initially designed for Café Deco, 2020
Roto Stacka stool
Michael Marriott
Self production, 2011
Seleri chairs
Mentsen
Produced by Zilio A&C, 2013
Melina linear light
Mentsen
Produced by Hand & Eye Studio, 2023
Glasgow shelving
Michael Marriott
Produced by Glasgow Wood, 2025
Re-engineered Brown Betty teapot
Ian McIntyre
Produced by Cauldon Ceramics, 2018
On Art shelf:
Photography by Valeria Armeni
On table:
Library selected by Jasper Morrison
Fusilli book stands
Michael Marriott
Self production, 2023
Overview of 'Working' area
View from 'Dining' area
Melina Linear light, Mentsen
Re-engineered Brown Betty Teapot, Ian McIntyre and Glasgow shelving, Michael Marriott
Little Tova step stool, Mentsen
Seleri chair, Mentsen
E5 low stools, Jones Neville
Olá chairs, Michael Marriott
Trestle Leg low stools, Jones Neville
Art shelf, Jones Neville
Library selected by Jasper Morrison and Fusilli book stands, Michael Marriott
Library selected by Jasper Morrison and E5 stool, Jones Neville
Roto Stacka stool, Michael Marriott
Trestle table, Jones Neville and Fusilli book stands, Michael Marriott
Overview of 'Living' area
On wall:
Thaxted blanket
Eleanor Pritchard
Produced by Eleanor Pritchard, 2024
Wool wall hangings
Eleanor Pritchard
Self production, 2025
On floor:
Garland shelving
Mentsen
Self production, 2019
Lidded Jar
Ian McIntyre
Self production, 2025
Blythburgh blanket
Walberswick blanket
Finchingfield blanket
Eleanor Pritchard
Produced by Eleanor Pritchard, 2024
Cushion
Eleanor Pritchard
Produced by Eleanor Pritchard, 2025
Genie lounge chairs
Mentsen
Produced by VG&P, 2025
Time for Tea tables
Mentsen
Self production, 2025
Another Country Pottery series
Ian McIntyre
Produced by Another Country, 2012
Plate
Ian McIntyre
Self production, 2025
Coffee table
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2024
Hemp floor rug
Eleanor Pritchard
Produced by Metrocs, 2025
On wall:
Nettle wall hanging
Eleanor Pritchard
Self production, 2023
On floor:
Room divider
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2024
Drink cabinet
Mentsen
Self production, 2025
Stoneware streak bowls
Elliott Denny
Self production, 2025
Time for Tea table small
Mentsen
Self production, 2025
Overview of 'living' area and 'working' area
Genie lounge chair, Mentsen
Lidded Jars, Ian McIntyre
Time for Tea tables, Mentsen and Plate, Ian McIntyre
Another Country Pottery series, Ian McIntyre
Coffee table, Elliott Denny
Room divider, Elliott Denny
Wool wall hangings, Eleanor Pritchard
Nettle wall hanging, Eleanor Pritchard
Drink cabinet, Mentsen
Making Sense: Designing in London
17— 21 September 2025
twentytwentyone
18C River Street
London EC1R 1XN
We would like to thank Tony Cunningham from twentytwentyone for giving us this great opportunity, and everyone at twentytwentyone for their support and hospitality during the exhibition week. Thank you also to participating designers, Michael, Eleanor, Ian, Simon, Jack and Elliott for their brilliant work, their time, and the friendship.
