British designer and accomplished artist, Ian Spencer is a unique force of talent in the world of design, with a lifelong passion for furniture that centers on material, process, and function. His path into the world of craftsmanship began in the basement workshop of his childhood home, where he watched his father work with wood, surrounded by the Arts & Crafts furniture of English master Edward Barnsley. Inspired by the textures and beauty of wood, Ian developed a deep appreciation for the craft at an early age.
Under an exceptional design teacher, Ian honed his skills in design throughout his academic years, crafting enduring pieces in walnut and mahogany. His dedication and talent led him to study furniture design at university, graduating and earning recognition for his Chaos Technique—a groundbreaking method. Developed in tandem with Cairn Young under their collaborative design project Yard Sale Project, the duo pioneered their unique design ethos that transcends traditional material boundaries. While considering which woods complement one another and which clash, Yard Sale Project discovered that with enough variety, such considerations become insignificant. Through skilled joinery and finished by hand, work composed of a “chaotic” mixture of woods becomes harmonious and balanced. His work soon drew the attention of institutions such as Sotheby’s, affirming the uniqueness and quality of his craftsmanship
Spencer rejects traditional woodworking conventions, an attitude that carries into his choice of materials and singular design language. The Black Tongue Chaise, a sculptural chair by Spencer and Young, shows the approach at work. Hand-carved from French walnut, it takes a sleek, curving form inspired by the human body and made to support it. Spencer’s smooth surfaces highlight the grain and the natural imperfections of wood from 100-year-old walnut trees in the Dordogne that had reached the end of their lives. The chaise is finished with shou sugi ban—a technique that has come to define Spencer’s distinctive designs—the ancient Japanese technique of preserving wood by charring it, which also makes it resistant to rot, pests, weather, UV light, and fire.
Spencer later spent four years in the countryside near Florence, Italy, exploring lighting and sculpture. Among his sculptural lighting works is Lux Calida II, a one-of-a-kind chandelier handcrafted entirely from hammered copper. With its branching stems and individually raised shades, it appears to grow downward from the ceiling, part botanical and part otherworldly. Its forms seem spontaneous, yet every curve is the result of a controlled, labor-intensive process. Spencer hammers sheet copper and copper pipe by hand, so no two shades are alike. Light concealed in each bowl reflects repeatedly off the hammered surfaces, producing a rich glow that illuminates both the room and the sculpture itself. As Spencer says, “Lux Calida II must be seen in the flesh to truly appreciate its magic.”While he delights in creating sculptural pieces, Spencer remains committed to ensuring his creations remain functional within domestic settings—a testament to his belief in the harmony between artistry and utility.
Spencer finds fulfillment in the entire process of crafting a piece, from conception to completion, down to building each shipping crate himself— relishing in the satisfaction of seeing his vision come to life.
