From Waste to Wonder: KOIBIRD Taps James Shaw for a Playful Homeware Collection
Standout pieces include Blob Candlesticks, Blob Mirrors and the Tall Blob Lamp, all crafted from recycled materials.
Summary
- James Shaw has teamed up with KOIBIRD for a new collection of sculptural, functional homeware
- It uses recycled plastics in a “plastic baroque” aesthetic, challenging the idea of waste
- Standouts include Blob Candlesticks, Blob Mirrors and the Tall Blob Lamp
The James Shaw x KOIBIRD collection presents a playful yet thought-provoking approach to contemporary homeware, transforming everyday objects into sculptural statements. Known for his experimental use of materials, the London-based designed challenges conventional ideas of waste and beauty, reimagining discarded plastics into bold, colorful forms that blur the line between art and function. The collection, available exclusively through KOIBIRD, spans a range of categories including candle holders, mirrors, lamps and tableware, each piece embodying Shaw’s signature “plastic baroque” aesthetic.
Within this whimsical array of functional objects, several standout designs capture attention. The Blob Candlesticks feature organic, irregular silhouettes that appear almost molten in form, while the Plastic Baroque Bookends reinterpret classical motifs through the use of recycled plastic. Serving as the centerpiece of the collection, the Tall Blob Lamp combines sculptural presence with practical illumination. Meanwhile, the Blob Mirrors offer a playful twist on a domestic staple, their frames bubbling and flowing around the reflective surface. Smaller yet equally striking items, such as the Plastic Baroque Salt and Pepper Grinder and the Plastic Baroque Kitchen Roll Holder, bring Shaw’s design language into everyday rituals.
The concept behind the collection is rooted in Shaw’s ongoing exploration of the “material landscape,” a practice that questions the value of waste and repositions it as a resource for creating new, beautiful materials. By working with recycled plastics, Shaw not only underscores the importance of sustainability but also embraces imperfection, allowing the irregularities of the medium to shape the final design. The result is a series of pieces that feel simultaneously futuristic and baroque, whimsical yet functional.
Each object in the collection is conceived as a conversation starter — designed to spark curiosity while fulfilling a practical role in the home. The collection is now available through KOIBIRD’s online and offline stores with prices ranging from £95 – £1,100 GBP (approx $126 – $1,465 USD).
