Collection: Ilex Studio

Ilex Studio

London-based, Ilex Studio is the brainchild of Ed Spurr and Amy Hall Browne, who spent lots of time perfecting the optimum design, shape and performance of their stunning vases and candles. The studio aims to promote the growth and planting of more trees. Their design philosophy follows the ancient Chinese proverb, "The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."

Their inspiration is rooted in Spurr's stint at Matthew Marks Gallery in New York.  While there, he became transfixed by the plant drawings by artist Ellsworth Kelly.

“These are observations of the form of leaves or flowers or fruit—their contour drawn in clean strokes of pencil or pen and centered on the page,” he explains. “For the celebratory dinner, after the opening of the [Kelly] exhibition, we wanted to decorate the tables appropriately, so with my girlfriend, we went through the catalogue and found each plant which Ellsworth had depicted. We arranged each specimen in individual small vases for each table. It was that moment that I understood the power of having a single branch to observe a plant’s beauty and form.”