Swarm – Manipulating The Masters

Swarm is the Amsterdam based design studio of Leslie Oschmann.  Previously working as a visual director for Anthropologie, watching it grow from ten stores to eighty stores, Leslie is no stranger to beautiful objects. The influence of such a background can be seen in her design work.

Using reclaimed objects found through scouring Dutch flea markets, a French home or a Belgian Antiques store, Leslie creates something which purveys a new purpose, yet preserves the natural charm of it’s original state.

The object of choice for the majority of Leslie’s work would appear to be the oil painting which presents itself in several guises throughout her portfolio.

As with many designers who enter the genre of “up cycle”, Leslie seeks to make people stop and think about every day objects….

From shopping bags………

To cabinets…..

…To seating, tables and chairs….

…. to an update of the painting itself….well if your subject is wearing the wrong colour tie why not change it!?

My favourite… possibly because I am still fresh from my post on using plates earlier this week would have to be Swarms collaboration with Little Owl, to produce these…. a little more on this will follow tomorrow…..

Fatherly influence

Leslie’s passion for her work comes from the age of five when she used to help her father who was a carpenter.  These influences are prevalent in her work for the “altered ego” chair projects.

From the coat hanger and spindle…….

…”The Hanger and Foot”….

..to the..”twisted roots chair”

On with the colourful journey………………….

#swarm #design #plates #littleowl #DutchDesigner #Upcycle #Anthropologie #oilpaintings #Recycle #LeslieOschmann #Travel #InteriorDesign