Best of British Creativity Showcase for Olympics

Bark Furniture, the Cornwall based furniture designer-makers, has been selected by UK Trade & Investment to contribute to a showcase of the best of modern British art and design at The British Business Embassy. Held at Lancaster House, Central London, and taking place for six weeks during London 2012, this ambitious exhibition will introduce some of the most globally influential business leaders to British or British trained designers and manufacturers during the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Spotted at Clerkenwell Design Week in May, where they launched their new Kustom Collection, Bark Furniture will present the Kustom coffee table in the State Dining Room, one of 18 specially curated rooms at Lancaster House. Handmade in black walnut with a toughened glass top, the Kustom coffee table compliments the collection's armchair and two-seater sofa while working equally as a standalone piece. Kustom is the third collection from their North Cornwall workshops. Its strong, dramatic lines are inspired by fifties Americana and the classic automobiles of the time while using British sustainably produced and sourced wood, standard in all of Bark Furniture's handcrafted timeless designs.

At the unique 19th century venue of Lancaster House, Bark Furniture will show alongside both new and established designers and makers, sculptors and photographers all of whom are committed to Britain and its heritage through their work.

Bark Furniture have been praised for their fresh approach to design and commitment to sustainability and British materials. Their inclusion at Lancaster House is testament to this and is an unprecedented opportunity for them to introduce their work to a wider international audience in London. Lakshmi Bhaskaran of Bark Furniture comments, “We are thrilled to be part of British Business Embassy showcase. Bark Furniture have always maintained the belief that British manufacturing and, in particular, the skills held by British craftsmen and women are some of the best in the world.”

Bark Furniture was launched in 2010 and is a collaboration between husband and wife team, Jonathan Walter and Lakshmi Bhaskaran. Jonathan and Lakshmi work from their workshop in Cornwall creating furniture that harks back to a bold period in furniture design and is inspired by the mid-century modern era. Their current range also consists of the Beacon and Acorn Collection and a selection of accessories and soft furnishings. Their Beacon Collection can be found in Lane Crawford, Hong Kong.

The design duo will be exhibiting at 100% Design during London Design Week between 19 and 22 September 2012. www.100percentdesign.co.uk

The British Business Embassy at Lancaster House is the centrepiece of UK Trade & Investment's international business legacy programme during the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will play host to 18 global business summits across six weeks providing thought-leadership and panel sessions, networking opportunities and face-to-face meetings for senior British and international decision-makers.