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The home that he shares with his wife was originally a single storey flat taking up the top floor of a converted Victorian terraced house. Photo by Dunja Opalko
The home that he shares with his wife was originally a single storey flat taking up the top floor of a converted Victorian terraced house. Photo by Dunja Opalko
As the hours of the working day melt away into a brisk early evening jaunt along the side of a canal towpath, the final destination on the Simon Astridge tour comes into view: the no frills King’s Cross office in which all his ideas become manifest. Photo by Dunja Opalko
As the hours of the working day melt away into a brisk early evening jaunt along the side of a canal towpath, the final destination on the Simon Astridge tour comes into view: the no frills King’s Cross office in which all his ideas become manifest. Photo by Dunja Opalko
This focus on the role of space in relation to experience means that his practice only entertains briefs that accept form will follow function. Photo by Dunja Opalko
This focus on the role of space in relation to experience means that his practice only entertains briefs that accept form will follow function. Photo by Dunja Opalko
“The clean white box in the perfect world, it isn’t relevant anymore.” Photo by Dunja Opalko
“The clean white box in the perfect world, it isn’t relevant anymore.” Photo by Dunja Opalko
Stretching out in front of him to the right, an intimate living room area merges seamlessly with the refined collection of ceramics and Japanese utensils that define the food lovers’ kitchen space. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Stretching out in front of him to the right, an intimate living room area merges seamlessly with the refined collection of ceramics and Japanese utensils that define the food lovers’ kitchen space. Photo by Dunja Opalko
The first thing they did upon securing the property was create an expansive second storey in the roof. This is where Simon now sits as he talks, leaning back in one of the understated wooden chairs that match the utilitarian feel of the workbench-like dining table upon which he rests his cup of studiously pressed coffee. Photo by Dunja Opalko
The first thing they did upon securing the property was create an expansive second storey in the roof. This is where Simon now sits as he talks, leaning back in one of the understated wooden chairs that match the utilitarian feel of the workbench-like dining table upon which he rests his cup of studiously pressed coffee. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Soaring up into the original rafters and beyond is a new loft constructed entirely from sheets of plywood, playing host to the master suite. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Soaring up into the original rafters and beyond is a new loft constructed entirely from sheets of plywood, playing host to the master suite. Photo by Dunja Opalko
“The sky is ultimately the most important material in this entire project,” he says. “How the light changes, how it feels when it’s raining. It’s all about how you experience the space and I think that’s quite a beautiful idea.” Photo by Dunja Opalko
“The sky is ultimately the most important material in this entire project,” he says. “How the light changes, how it feels when it’s raining. It’s all about how you experience the space and I think that’s quite a beautiful idea.” Photo by Dunja Opalko
It is in Simon’s own recently renovated North London home that one sees Simon’s ideas carried through to their logical, refined conclusion. Photo by Dunja Opalko
It is in Simon’s own recently renovated North London home that one sees Simon’s ideas carried through to their logical, refined conclusion. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Beautiful ideas are at the heart of Simon’s work: the elegant and considered aesthetic pleasures of his finished projects belie the philosophical musings and conceptual frameworks from which they sprung. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Beautiful ideas are at the heart of Simon’s work: the elegant and considered aesthetic pleasures of his finished projects belie the philosophical musings and conceptual frameworks from which they sprung. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Taken merely as a tangible structure, a collection of curated objects and installations, the bathroom is a beautified space. Photo by Dunja Opalko
Taken merely as a tangible structure, a collection of curated objects and installations, the bathroom is a beautified space. Photo by Dunja Opalko
To his left is a glass wall with a view that encompasses the great variety and majesty of London’s skyline—the view is, says Simon, his favourite thing about the home, beyond any interior element. Photo by Dunja Opalko
To his left is a glass wall with a view that encompasses the great variety and majesty of London’s skyline—the view is, says Simon, his favourite thing about the home, beyond any interior element. Photo by Dunja Opalko
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
Visions of urban living, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
Visions of urban living, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
The FvF Apartment, Berlin – Mulackstr. 26
Created by Costa Mesa-based Sean Woolsey, our exclusive edition Skateboards are made from American black walnut and sugar maple. Made individually by hand in Woolsey’s studio, each board is slightly different due to its unique wood grain pattern. The decks have been treated with grip tape made from recycled glass, that allows the beauty of the wood to shine through even when riding. Each deck is laser engraved on the bottom with a custom Woolsey x FvF seal and hand finished with a durable coating.
Created by Costa Mesa-based Sean Woolsey, our exclusive edition Skateboards are made from American black walnut and sugar maple. Made individually by hand in Woolsey’s studio, each board is slightly different due to its unique wood grain pattern. The decks have been treated with grip tape made from recycled glass, that allows the beauty of the wood to shine through even when riding. Each deck is laser engraved on the bottom with a custom Woolsey x FvF seal and hand finished with a durable coating.
Following our portrait on the Romanian craftsman Mark Tudose, also referred to as 'the Spoonman,' we immediately asked if he would be willing to create a special edition spoon for our FvF Shop. Mark considers his spoons as vessels for stories and telltales of craftsmanship, and he was happy to fashion an edition related to our home city. The Berlin Spoon he created for us carries a message of continuity and wealth: around the edge is the water symbol, on top is a solar symbol and the small diamonds represent the earth and fertility. Each 30 cm spoon, being completely hand carved, is unique and will differ slightly from what is pictured.
Following our portrait on the Romanian craftsman Mark Tudose, also referred to as 'the Spoonman,' we immediately asked if he would be willing to create a special edition spoon for our FvF Shop. Mark considers his spoons as vessels for stories and telltales of craftsmanship, and he was happy to fashion an edition related to our home city. The Berlin Spoon he created for us carries a message of continuity and wealth: around the edge is the water symbol, on top is a solar symbol and the small diamonds represent the earth and fertility. Each 30 cm spoon, being completely hand carved, is unique and will differ slightly from what is pictured.
Combining intuitive functionality with a sculptural form, Yohann is one of the best iPad stands we’ve encountered. The stand offers three distinct viewing angles in both portrait and landscape mode, and functions on various surfaces, including soft bed covers or a user’s lap. We joined forces with our new friends at sillber, the Swiss design brand behind Yohann, to produce this special ash wood edition of the stand, available exclusively through Freunde von Freunden. Made expressly for the iPad Air, the FvF edition of Yohann can also accommodate the iPad Mini (as shown in our pictures) in five of the six available positions. Its general shape and position of the footprint are the result of a structural calculation to provide the highest stability for all angles of use. Yohann uses sustainably grown regional wood and is produced by manufacturers in Germany and Italy. Each piece takes 10 hours to precisely mill from a single piece of wood, which is carefully sanded, polished, oiled and waxed by hand. Please note the stand will only support the original iPad Air (and the iPad Mini in five positions).
Combining intuitive functionality with a sculptural form, Yohann is one of the best iPad stands we’ve encountered. The stand offers three distinct viewing angles in both portrait and landscape mode, and functions on various surfaces, including soft bed covers or a user’s lap. We joined forces with our new friends at sillber, the Swiss design brand behind Yohann, to produce this special ash wood edition of the stand, available exclusively through Freunde von Freunden. Made expressly for the iPad Air, the FvF edition of Yohann can also accommodate the iPad Mini (as shown in our pictures) in five of the six available positions. Its general shape and position of the footprint are the result of a structural calculation to provide the highest stability for all angles of use. Yohann uses sustainably grown regional wood and is produced by manufacturers in Germany and Italy. Each piece takes 10 hours to precisely mill from a single piece of wood, which is carefully sanded, polished, oiled and waxed by hand. Please note the stand will only support the original iPad Air (and the iPad Mini in five positions).
Equal parts sculpture and functional object, the Plant-in City Air Terrarium for Freunde von Freunden is an evolution in Huy Bui’s inspiring Plant-in City project, developed in response to an increasing need for greenery in confined urban spaces. Hand-made of reclaimed natural teak, our FvF edition was created to display Tillandsia, the exotic, strangely beautiful air plant. The compact footprint of the air terrarium allows one to place it in a multitude of situations where the poetic reminder of nature is desired. Each piece is meticulously constructed by hand in Huy Bui’s Brooklyn studio and requires hours of assembly, from the precisely cut and set joints to the intricate lattice work of the copper wiring designed to suspend a variety of air plants.
Equal parts sculpture and functional object, the Plant-in City Air Terrarium for Freunde von Freunden is an evolution in Huy Bui’s inspiring Plant-in City project, developed in response to an increasing need for greenery in confined urban spaces. Hand-made of reclaimed natural teak, our FvF edition was created to display Tillandsia, the exotic, strangely beautiful air plant. The compact footprint of the air terrarium allows one to place it in a multitude of situations where the poetic reminder of nature is desired. Each piece is meticulously constructed by hand in Huy Bui’s Brooklyn studio and requires hours of assembly, from the precisely cut and set joints to the intricate lattice work of the copper wiring designed to suspend a variety of air plants.
When we first saw the Roll-Top Backpack from 1.61 Soft Goods it was love at first sight. We immediately reached out to founders Westley Nunn and Diana Wu, asking if they’d consider doing a special limited edition for FvF. Wes and Diana immediately agreed, and what followed was an extensive, detailed correspondence in which we worked together to refine their already amazing design to our vision. Starting with their original design--a bag that combined elements of a trek pack with an urban commuter pack--we reduced the volume to be more unisex friendly, stripped away elements such as the waist belt, updated the interior for better visibility, and enhanced the bottom with full grain leather. The resulting backpack maintains the core technical features of their original, with the added effect of becoming more approachable. The bag also includes a floating cross-dyed white polyester liner with a padded laptop sleeve, main seams bound for extra strength, water bottle or U-lock holders on both sides, strap keepers for the shoulder straps, and load lifters. In terms of accessibility, the backpack features four waterproof zippers to provide multiple opportunities for storage: one zipper to access the main compartment from the right side of the pack, one above the head, one on the bottom front of the pack (for keys or a phone), and the last, a long pocket on the left side.
When we first saw the Roll-Top Backpack from 1.61 Soft Goods it was love at first sight. We immediately reached out to founders Westley Nunn and Diana Wu, asking if they’d consider doing a special limited edition for FvF. Wes and Diana immediately agreed, and what followed was an extensive, detailed correspondence in which we worked together to refine their already amazing design to our vision. Starting with their original design--a bag that combined elements of a trek pack with an urban commuter pack--we reduced the volume to be more unisex friendly, stripped away elements such as the waist belt, updated the interior for better visibility, and enhanced the bottom with full grain leather. The resulting backpack maintains the core technical features of their original, with the added effect of becoming more approachable. The bag also includes a floating cross-dyed white polyester liner with a padded laptop sleeve, main seams bound for extra strength, water bottle or U-lock holders on both sides, strap keepers for the shoulder straps, and load lifters. In terms of accessibility, the backpack features four waterproof zippers to provide multiple opportunities for storage: one zipper to access the main compartment from the right side of the pack, one above the head, one on the bottom front of the pack (for keys or a phone), and the last, a long pocket on the left side.
The FvF Edition Stool by PLY was selected expressly for use in our FvF Apartment in Berlin. We were so taken with the sturdy and practical, yet elegant design, that we asked PLY to create a limited edition for offer in our online shop. The stool features a gently curved, concave oak seat, which is securely fastened to a powder-coated steel, four-legged base. The feet are finished with simple gliders that allow the stool to be easily repositioned on hardwood floors without concern of causing unwanted scratches. PLY is an interior studio for furniture, lighting, and interior architecture located in Hamburg. Their showroom is located in an old fish smokehouse and features a unique selection of vintage furniture from the likes of Jean Prouvé, Alvar Aaalto, Egon Eiermann, Friso Kramer and Ilmari Tapiovaara alongside the studio's own creations.
The FvF Edition Stool by PLY was selected expressly for use in our FvF Apartment in Berlin. We were so taken with the sturdy and practical, yet elegant design, that we asked PLY to create a limited edition for offer in our online shop. The stool features a gently curved, concave oak seat, which is securely fastened to a powder-coated steel, four-legged base. The feet are finished with simple gliders that allow the stool to be easily repositioned on hardwood floors without concern of causing unwanted scratches. PLY is an interior studio for furniture, lighting, and interior architecture located in Hamburg. Their showroom is located in an old fish smokehouse and features a unique selection of vintage furniture from the likes of Jean Prouvé, Alvar Aaalto, Egon Eiermann, Friso Kramer and Ilmari Tapiovaara alongside the studio's own creations.

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