Miranda Osborne’s wire furniture and industrial-style lighting is vintage-inspired but utterly contemporary
Above: Miranda Osborne on a Wellington bar chair
The wonderful wire creations of Ico Traders’ Miranda Osborne are instantly recognisable for their dramatic curves in vivid rainbow shades. They’re also well-known for ticking the comfort and durability boxes, as well as style. “Steel wire is the perfect material for creating furniture,” says Miranda. “It has clean lines that can be bent into curves to create fluency and softness. And I like the fact that the pieces are strong but not solid, allowing you to look through them rather than blocking out what sits behind.”
Above: a set of orange Ponsonby chairs
Christchurch-based Miranda started Ico Traders two years ago, leaving a career in fashion buying to be closer to home and her young family. “After the earthquakes I decided I wanted to do something of my own, which would allow me to be more involved with my daughters Henrietta and Matilda.”
As well as furniture, Ico Traders produces industrial-style lighting; some of it made locally in Christchurch, and pressed tin panels. The wire furniture is individually hand welded, zinc plated and powder coated in Ico Traders’ range of bright colours. They’re suitable for both inside and out, giving them a multi-purpose usability that Kiwis love.
Above: Ico Traders wire lampshade
Miranda designs furniture with comfort, style and affordability in mind. “I personally covet lots of pieces of furniture and I can’t afford to own them all. While I do believe in buying special investment items, most of us can’t afford to furnish our homes in one-offs. Hopefully I have created pieces that have a unique design element, that won’t date and that fit comfortably into a number of different interior styles.”
Words by: Johanna Thornton
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