Tom Raffield, a pioneering name in sustainable design and creator of exquisite lighting and homeware, proudly marks a significant milestone as it commemorates 15 years of innovative craftsmanship, environmental stewardship, and creative growth.

Crafting a brighter future

For over a decade and a half, Tom Raffield has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to sustainability. From its humble beginnings in 2008, the company has evolved into a sustainability trailblazer, setting the benchmark for eco-conscious design practices. With each meticulously crafted piece, Tom Raffield not only transforms living spaces but also advocates for a greener, more sustainable world. Alongside their everyday sustainable pursuits, Tom Raffield’s sustainability highlights include:

Becoming a climate positive workforce with Ecologi

Featuring on the Dodds & Shute global sustainability report 2020

Becoming members of the WWF 2030 Circle, supporting their Trillion Trees programme

Testimony to Excellence

The remarkable journey of Tom Raffield has been peppered with recognition from the design community. The numerous awards earned over the years stand as a testament to the brand's dedication to impeccable design and quality craftsmanship. From Tom’s iconic No. 1 Pendant and Flock Chandelier winning the LIA’s Best Luminaire in 2011, winning Walpole’s Best emerging Brand in 2017, to the ethereal Loer Pendant winning the sustainable product category in the Grazia Awards, Tom Raffield’s work has been well celebrated.

Wavy Wooden House

Back in 2008, the journey to create the infamous Grand Designs ‘wavy wooden house’ began. Co-founders, Tom and Danielle, set out to create a unique build in South Cornwall that would take steam bending to new heights. Channelling the essence of the iconic Tom Raffield ethos and design aesthetic, they embarked on a monumental project that would prove to be very challenging, pushing the boundaries of contemporary architecture to their limits, all whilst every step of the journey was captured on Channel 4’s Grand Designs in late 2016.

Inspired by Nature

Tom Raffield's lighting designs have become synonymous with elegance, innovation, and a deep connection to nature. Drawing inspiration from the organic forms found in the Cornish landscape, each lighting piece is a work of art that brings a touch of the natural world into interiors. The interplay of light and shadow in these designs creates an ambiance that is both captivating and soothing, transforming any room into a sanctuary of beauty and serenity.

Function Meets Artistry

Beyond lighting, Tom Raffield's homeware creations encapsulate the brand's ethos of blending functionality with artistic design. From furniture to home accessories, each piece is a harmonious blend of aesthetics and functionality. Tom’s wooden designs not only serve practical needs but also spark awe, becoming focal points in any home.

In 2018, Tom Raffield launched the iconic Green Range. Now boasting a wide range of sustainable planters that hold flourishing greenery, homegrown herbs, or even used as statement storage, Tom Raffield handcrafts a unique display of indoor planters.

The Heart of Success

At the core of Tom Raffield's achievements lies a team united by passion, creativity, and a shared vision. Over the years, the company's growth has been more than just in numbers; it's been a growth of ideas, collaborations, and friendships. Tom Raffield has worked alongside an array of renowned brands to create content that fuels innovation.

Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show. Throughout the 2017-2019 Chelsea Flower Shows, Tom Raffield impressed visitors with bold, steam bent stands that showcased the wonder of both natures, and their craft of steam bending.

2017 - Gwenver Garden Room

Handcrafted by the Tom Raffield studio in Cornwall, England and using steam bent oak and ash cladding both inside and out, the curved, striking formation of this architectural masterpiece.

2018 -Tom Raffield Pavilion

Designed and handcrafted by the Tom Raffield workshop in Cornwall, England, the architecturally striking pavilion will contain a curated range of steam bent Tom Raffield furniture and lighting.

2019 - Force of Nature

The striking courtyard-esque space showcased the brand’s ground-breaking design process which combines their traditional steam bending technique with complex parametric modelling to create the eye-catching biomorphic architecture and planters. Central to the design, these organic 3D oak forms are functional pieces of art that sit amongst the planting, simulating the natural features and enriching the sensory experience. Inside, a curated space of iconic Tom Raffield steam bent products will complement the breath-taking concept.

2020 - Steam Bent Egg

For the first time ever, Chelsea Flower Show 2021 was an Autumnal show. Tom Raffield was commissioned to design and craft a unique sculptural, egg-shaped structure for the amazing garden Yeo Valley and gardener Tom Massey curated. Suspended above a flowing stream, the steam bent design is a welcome space to sit and observe the surrounding garden landscape.

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About Tom Raffield

Purpose - to create new ways of living with their original, timeless objects that are inspired by the natural world that surrounds them in Cornwall. Their artisan homeware designs are handcrafted by a skilled team to last a lifetime, using traditional craft processes in sustainable and innovative ways. Tom's aim is to transform spaces and leave a lasting impact without having an impact on the very thing that drives him - nature.

"We are the antidote to over consumption and hope to inspire a like-minded conscious community, helping to create a world where people and nature thrive for future generations to enjoy." - Tom Raffield, Founder and Designer

Since discovering the traditional, age-old technique of steam bending wood whilst studying his degree in 3D Sustainability & Design, Tom has been on an incredible self-taught journey of developing and understanding the process to become one of the world leaders in his craft. Tom’s fascination with the ecological technique allows him to create intricate curves and twists, mimicking organic shapes and celebrating the very thing that inspires him - nature.

Tom Raffield is one of a new generation of designers and makers, using his craft in innovative and contemporary ways. Leading the charge in sustainable design, he is driven to forge a path to excellence and cause as little environmental impact as possible along the way.

His passion and skill are now shared with his talented team of craftspeople, together they create objects that symbolise nature, tell a story and will last a lifetime, all whilst protecting the natural world.

“Each piece we create has been on an experimental journey - individual, organic and carefully considered. We source everything from sustainable woodlands, which, coupled with the low energy steam bending process, is a very ecological practice with little wastage,” explains Tom 

Handcrafted in their BREEAM Excellent studios in Cornwall, England, the range of contemporary lighting, furniture and accessories Tom Raffield creates is based on beauty, integrity and a desire to create unique, high specification objects that will be cherished by their owners for years to come.

Sustainability at Tom Raffield

With the smallest ecological footprint possible, Tom Raffield forge a path to excellence, crafting the heirlooms of the future whilst protecting the natural world that inspires them. Find out more here.

Email: media@tomraffield.com

Posted: 09.10.23