Keeping a Light on for David Easton
MHS Studio and FRD Designers & Makers are delighted to pledge the profits of our exclusive lantern range to New York’s esteemed Pratt Institute in honour of legendary designer, David Easton.
This year, we’re delighted to be working with FRD Designers & Makers to produce an exclusive range of lanterns with profits going to support the Pratt Institute’s K-12 project in honour of the late David Easton who graduated from Pratt, in 1963.
Our pledge
The Lanterns
The Harrison & The Easton
Expertly handcrafted to order in the Dorset workshop of FRD Designers & Makers. All enquires include pre-consultation with Maxine to ensure size and finish is as required for your space.
The Easton
The Harrison
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All of our lanterns are made using traditional materials and methods. You can be certain of a piece that will withstand the test of time.
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These beautiful pieces are handcrafted to order and go through a lengthy process of design and fabrication. Lead times vary depending on design, but typically 10-14 weeks.
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Requests can be made for further customisation. These can be explored in your pre-consultation.
David Easton was one of the world’s most sought-after designers and architects. He was noted for his English-style houses, catering to clientele across the globe. David’s taste and interest progressed with the times learning to a more modern aesthetic in his later years. David was named to the Interior Design Hall of Fame in 1992.
David was born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1937 and was smitten by design from an early age, visiting Marshall Field’s Department store in Chicago with his Grandmother where he was delighted by the fantasy and design of the store’s Trend House. He moved to New York City in 1959, received and architectural degree from Pratt Institute. He won the Fontainebleau scholarship that allowed him to study in Europe before returning to New York where he worked with furniture designer, Edward Worsley and then in 1967 he joined the well-known firm Parish Hadley before starting his own practice in 1972.
David would design Georgian mansions on the back of napkins, making his name creating extraordinary architectural designs for a rich and varied clientele. Many who became close friends.
As a young designer, Maxine was lucky enough to work for David in New York.
“Passion is what you need to be good. An unforgiving passion.”
— David Easton
Meet FRD Designers & Makers
Francis Russell has been making for the interiors trade for the last 35 years. His early days were spent making custom designed toleware and beautifully reproducing pieces from English stately homes.
He went on to produce toleware for John Fowler of Colefax & Fowler. It was this partnership that saw Nancy Lancaster - who bought Colefax & Fowler from her friend Sibyl Colefax in 1948 - popping into the workshop regularly.
Nancy Lancaster was widely known for being a social butterfly, it was her generous introductions that led to Francis working for prestigious American designers including Sister Parish, Oscar de la Renta and of course, David Easton.
“David Easton kept in touch through the following decades, supportive and with a fantastic sense of humour. FRD Designers & Makers owes a huge debt to these early supporters and we are very pleased to contribute to the K-12 scheme.”
James Steinmeyer, Easton-Steinmeyer Associates
“David was generous with his time and knowledge which he passed on to you, as well as others. That this is helping young students would be something David would be so proud of.”
The mission of the Pratt Center for Art, Design, and Community Engagement K -12 is to increase access to and engagement with art and design for school-age children, city-wide public schools, and youth-serving organisations.
The K-12 Project
Taught by Pratt faculty and students, including several from the School of Architecture, the K-12 programs develop children's knowledge in the creative disciplines (art, design, architecture, and related fields) through hands-on studio-based learning. The programs are carefully designed and structured to support creativity and innovation, and problem-solving and collaboration.
