granite+smoke: Sustainable luxury

Lindsey Hesketh and Claire Canning first met at school in Aberdeen. Now the life-long friends create their own homewares range as Granite + Smoke… 

Lindsey explained, ‘Claire trained in textiles and interiors and I did architecture. We began working together on interior projects over 10 years ago. We realised a mutual love of colour, pattern and passion for contemporary design that eventually led to us to forming Granite + Smoke. We create playful, graphic and modern products that are beautifully crafted and responsibly made in the UK.’ 

Claire chipped in, ‘Luckily, it’s easy for us to design together. The biggest challenge is juggling all the elements of running your own business and doing it ourselves. We had to pick up so many new skills – everything from PR and websites to cash flow and VAT. We spend a lot of time on Zoom, but it’s really helped us define our aesthetic and establish the core values and vision for our brand. 

‘When we’re not working we enjoy spending time with our families and friends; cooking and eating nice food, spending time outdoors, visiting and exploring new places and occasionally binge watching Netflix! We also enjoy getting creatively hands on, whether that’s doing some drawings and crafts with the kids, or learning a new skill like jewellery making and pottery.’ 

Lindsey added, ‘As Granite + Smoke, we think of our work as creating joyful luxury with a conscience! Our first collection included blankets, cushions and wall hangings made from ethically sourced cashmere and  recycled wool, each item is woven and hand finished by local specialists in limited runs on jacquard looms at socially responsible, historic mills in Scotland and England. We’re all about optimistic colour combinations inspired by the geometry and simplicity of London’s iconic Brutalist architecture. 

‘We choose partners who support local supply chains and prioritise communities and worker well-being. Our lambswool and cashmere throws are crafted at a Scottish mill dating back to 1866 and we work with a heritage weaver in England. The combination of traditional techniques and modern production meant we could create a sustainable collection of luxury products with an uplifting contemporary aesthetic. 

Claire continued, ‘As well as traditional craft skills, we’re inspired by modernism and the Bauhaus movement and artists and designers like Anni and Joseph Albers, architect Le Corbusier and furniture designers like Charles and Ray Eames. The 1980s work by the Memphis group influences our preference for an optimistic palette and bold graphic designs. Current work by artists and designers such as Yinka Iloria, Patricia Urquolia, Peter Haley, Bridgett Riley, David Hockney and Hella Jongerius all feeds into what we do, too. 

‘Our full collection can be viewed and bought from our website at graniteandsmoke.com. The wonderful Sirene Boutique in Aberdeen stocks a selection of our lambswool/cashmere and recycled wool collection as does the iconic twentytwentyone store in London. Plus a selection of our lambswool/cashmere collection is now on the Paul Smith website. Our recycled wool blankets and cushions are also online through luxury homewares marketplace Glassette and we have recently launched our full collection on Clippings; an online trade platform set up to offer design professionals a new way to specify, source and procure furniture, lighting and accessories. We are very excited to be launching in some other great retail spaces and online stores in the near future.’

graniteandsmoke.com