Journal
At Guild Anderson, we are continually inspired by designers who share our respect for craftsmanship and thoughtful design. The objects we choose to live with whether cabinetry, glassware or tabletop pieces shape the character of a home and the rituals of everyday life.
One such designer is Issy Granger, founder of the contemporary homewares brand Issy Granger. Since launching her company in 2019, Issy has built a distinctive collection of beautifully crafted pieces that blend historical reference with playful modern design. Her work celebrates traditional craft techniques while bringing colour, character and curiosity to the everyday home.
In conversation with Guild Anderson, Issy shares the story behind her eponymous brand, the inspiration behind her designs, and why thoughtful objects can make daily rituals feel a little more special.
A Creative Beginning
Issy’s journey into design began long before her business was founded. Growing up in Yorkshire in a creative household, art and making were simply part of everyday life. Her mother and grandmother were both artists, and their influence shaped the way she views design today. “From a young age I was surrounded by colour, materials and craft. I’m sure that has shaped how I work today.”
The brand itself began in a very organic way. Issy started sketching ideas in her notebook, developing concepts for objects that were both beautiful and useful. Those sketches were then brought to life by skilled makers and small workshops, many of whom use traditional techniques passed down through generations. The aim was simple, to create homewares that elevate everyday moments.
Inspired by History, Designed for Today
Issy’s designs have a distinctive contemporary handwriting, but their inspiration often comes from the past. Museums, historic houses, books and galleries frequently inform her work. Rather than replicating traditional forms, she enjoys reinterpreting them in unexpected ways. Her fascination with heritage craft plays a central role too.
Glassblowing, ceramics and woodwork have existed for centuries. By working with artisans who practise these time-honoured techniques, Issy creates objects that feel both rooted in history and entirely modern. It is that contrast, old meeting new, that gives her collections their character.
A Philosophy of Everyday Beauty
At the heart of the brand lies a clear philosophy: ‘enhancing the everyday through thoughtfully crafted design’. Issy explains: “We aim to create beautifully crafted products that celebrate history, inspire curiosity and bring joy.”
Crucially, the pieces are designed to be used, not simply admired. Each object, whether a glass candlestick, butter dish or piece of colourful glassware, is made to live comfortably in the home. They are practical items that become part of daily routines, bringing warmth and personality to kitchens, dining tables and shelves. It is a sentiment that resonates strongly with our own philosophy at Guild Anderson. We design rooms of utility that are meant to work hard and be lived in, spaces where beauty and practicality coexist.
From One-Woman Studio to a Growing Team
When Issy first launched the brand, she managed every aspect of the business herself. Designing, sourcing makers, marketing, packing orders and handling customer service all fell under her remit. Today the company has grown into a small but dedicated team of three, managing operations, fulfilment and customer service while Issy focuses primarily on design and creative direction. Even so, her involvement in the creative process remains hands-on. Every piece in the collection begins as one of her sketches before being developed with the artisans who craft the finished products.
The Candlesticks That Started It All
Issy’s very first designs formed a five-piece collection of glass candlesticks, pieces that still sit at the heart of the brand. Six years later, they remain among the company’s bestsellers and have become something of a signature.
Alongside the candlesticks, colourful glassware has proved consistently popular. More recently, the brand’s distinctive circus-striped butter dishes have developed a devoted following. These bold yet elegant pieces bring a joyful sense of colour to the table, something that sits beautifully within a kitchen designed for everyday family life.
A Love of the Table
It is perhaps no surprise that many of Issy’s designs centre around tabletop rituals. Butter dishes, egg cups and glassware celebrate the small moments of daily life, breakfast around the kitchen table, afternoon tea, or an evening drink shared with friends.
Guild Anderson kitchens are often designed as the heart of a home, and Issy’s tabletop pieces feel entirely at home within these spaces. She hints that the breakfast-ware collection may continue to expand in the future. “There’s something about the breakfast ritual that feels so comforting and special.”
The Heart of the Home
Like many of our clients, Issy sees the kitchen as the centre of family life. In her own home, the kitchen table is the focal point. It has lived many lives, bearing the marks of children’s creativity and everyday use. “It’s covered in paint and markings made by naughty children over the years.”
Those marks tell the story of family life, something we wholeheartedly believe in. At Guild Anderson, every scuff and dent forms part of a home’s narrative.
In terms of essentials, Issy has one non-negotiable feature: a generous kitchen sink. Practical, enduring and used countless times each day, it perfectly reflects her philosophy of everyday design.
Looking Ahead
The brand now ships internationally, with stock split between the UK and the United States following the introduction of a US warehouse. A brand refresh is also on the horizon, marking the next chapter of the company’s growth. There are ideas, too, for expanding into new areas of interiors, perhaps larger pieces such as lighting. For a designer whose work begins with a sketchbook full of ideas, the possibilities are endless.
Craft That Brings Joy
What stands out most in Issy’s story is her belief that design should bring joy to daily life. Whether it’s a candlestick catching the evening light or a colourful butter dish sitting proudly on a breakfast table, these small details can transform the feeling of a room.
At Guild Anderson, we share that belief. The rooms we design; kitchens, boot rooms, pantries and sculleries, are spaces intended for daily rituals and family life. When thoughtfully crafted objects meet beautifully designed spaces, something special happens. The everyday becomes just a little more joyful.
