Hamrei, the rising star in the world of interior and furniture design, was born in the Potteries, that special area in Staffordshire considered by many the cradle of British ceramic since the 17th century. Add to that his multicultural upbringing, with an Anglo-Swiss father and Brazilian mother, and you’ll understand why he has a unique perspective on design. Hamrei spent his young years navigating between the British countryside and the Mediterranean shores in summer, where he honed his eye for colours and textures. His affinity for interiors and architecture stems from his mother’s passion for them. Surrounded by furniture and objects passed down through generations, he found a natural connection with the built environment. For him, design is about exploring the boundless freedom of imagination through form, colour, and texture and capturing those intangible qualities that lend each piece its iconic status.
After completing his studies in architecture, Hamrei pivoted to interiors and furniture design under the mentorship of Gisbert Pöppler in Berlin. After a stint at Peter Mikic, he joined forces with Pierre Yovanovitch. While managing projects in the UK and the US for the French firm, Hamrei continued to refine his personal style. In the summer of 2021, he took a leap of faith, establishing his own interior and furniture design studio. His debut collection is a stunning display of mastery and light-hearted playfulness, of striking shapes and unmatched artisanship. To describe his signature style in one word, Hamrei has coined “Brutiful”, the contraction of brutalist and beautiful. “I should trademark it!” he remarks humorously, adding: “Picture the rugged peak of a mountain emerging through the clouds or the juxtaposition of Mike Tyson with a playful puppy…”
With this in mind, we understand how all of Hamrei‘s creations emphasise the intrinsic beauty of materials, whether raw or sophisticad, skillfully interacting with forms and textures. One of his standout pieces is “Mirra,” a jewel-like side table, Hamrei affectionately refers to as his “baby.” While describing the intricate details, he notes the challenging handwork in metal crafting – the structure in cast bronze is entirely covered by fence-like tiny pickets – complemented by a Murano crystal top, clear-cast and coloured, which took days to make in order to achieve a smooth surface on the upper side, and a more textured one underneath. The result is a mesmerising piece that comes alive when light dances on the glass, casting vibrant hues and reflections. Each piece is one-of-a-kind and available in different colours.
When asked about the piece of furniture he most likes to design, Hamrei invariably replies, “Stools!”. For him, designing stools is like cooking with a handful of ingredients – each time, a different combination yields a surprising and evocative result. So, here come the many variations of a design that resembles a jewel, featuring ring-like metal claws that grip a plushy seat, inserted like a gemstone, covered in exquisite fabric. Hamrei can be playful too, especially when he works with solid wood. Alongside the Bolo stools – a fun, childhood recollection of what a multilayered cake looks like – we love the Chill Armchair, a striking piece like no other with a certain laid-back Brazilian vibe. Its bold, sculptural presence is balanced with the sensual rhythm of its form and a built-in tray in solid-cast Murano glass. Upholstered in chic alpaca from Dedar, it’s an invitation to take a seat, lay back and chill…
Discover the brutiful debut collection by Hamrei, available exclusively through us.
