Ilse Crawford is a British designer, born in London in 1962, known for design she describes as “a tool to enhance our humanity.” She began her career in publishing as founding editor of Elle Decoration, before working as a designer for Donna Karan and establishing the Man and Wellbeing department at the Design Academy Eindhoven, which she led for two decades. She founded her studio, Studioilse, in London in the early 2000s, now based at Neckinger Mills in Bermondsey.
Among her Scandinavian collaborations, Crawford has worked repeatedly with Swedish lighting manufacturer Wästberg, designing the ongoing Holocene series of candle-lit lamps, from its first edition through to Holocene No. 6. For Swedish rug maker Kasthäll, she has designed the Åker rug, the Rapsåker rug, and Ängsmark, which won a Wallpaper* Design Award.
For Danish manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn, Crawford developed a new colour palette for Hans J. Wegner’s classic chairs, and in 2025 her studio designed a collection of brass gardening tools for Swedish metalware maker Skultuna. Beyond Scandinavia, her studio’s work has included interiors for Soho House and Donna Karan, and her honours include an MBE, a CBE and the title of Royal Designer for Industry.
Crawford continues to run Studioilse from London.
See more of her work at studioilse.com.
https://www.studioilse.com
Photography by Martyn Thompson Yellowtrace
Design by Ilse Crawford
Ilse Crawford Designs a Candle Wall Sconce for Skultuna
Following earlier collaborations, Swedish brass maker Skultuna presents a new product with British designer Ilse …
The Zanat Ten product collection
The Zanat Ten product collection On the occasion of Zanat’s 10th anniversary, we invited our …
Studio Ilse x Skultuna: Luxury Brass Gardening Tools Join the Nurture Series
Nurture Series x Ilse Crawford The Nurture series by Studio Ilse for Skultuna continues to …
Holocene No. 6 by Ilse Crawford for Wästberg
Holocene No. 6: Ilse Crawford Holocene No. 6 expresses the fluttering beauty of candlelight captured …
Rapsåker rug from Ilse Crawford | Kasthall
Rapsåker is the designer Ilse Crawford’s tribute to the blooming south Swedish rapeseed fields Kasthall …
Ilse Crawford new colour palette for the first chairs by Wegner for Carl Hansen & Son
ILSE CRAWFORD X HANS J. WEGNER’S FIRST MASTERPIECES To celebrate Hans J. Wegner’s enduring legacy …
Sturdy Stool design by Studioilse – Made by Hand
A very familiar & authentic stool, that adresses the need of everyday comfort by Studioilse …
Shining in the dark like an illuminated manuscript, by Ilse Crawford – Wästberg
w203 ilumina by Ilse Crawford Shining in the dark like an illuminated manuscript, w203 ilumina …
Wallpaper* Design Award for Kasthall rug Ängsmark by Ilse Crawford
We are delighted to have received the Wallpaper* Design Award for our rug Ängsmark by …
Åker by Ilse Crawford – Kasthall
Åker is a limited edition tufted rug with horizontal block stripes of different textures, colors …
Holocene No. 1: Ilse Crawford – Wästberg
Holocene No. 1: Ilse Crawford Ilse Crawford is a designer, academic and creative director with …
In praise of the simple yet elegant Bellman drinking glass
On Design: Ilse Crawford In praise of the simple yet elegant Bellman drinking glass When …
News from Wästberg @ Stockholm Furniture Fair 2008
Man appeared. Man felt comfortable and safe around light sources he could control. Man felt …
Design news by Ilse Crawford w08 Lamp for Wästberg
w08 Materials have hidden messages. These create a powerful link to our emotional psyches and …