Founded by Alex Henrich and Sonia Jackson in 2011, IROCO Design is based on a passion for contemporary design, and a desire to make it more easily available to everyone. Here’s a low-down on the key players:
Alex Henrich
Three best things in life? My kids, my wife and the outdoors.
Last item you bought for yourself? The Slab Table in natural lacquered wood by Tom Dixon. It has rounded edges and corners, and is simply a delight to touch and feel. The size, 200cm in length, is ideal for a large family, or to host a dinner party!
If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be? A bench made of solid oak, reliable and eternal.
Which piece of contemporary design or designer do you admire most and why? Patricia Urquiola for her innovative use of materials, and continuous evolution across a wide range of furniture.
Give us a hot interior design tip? Following the onset of mass production of plastic-based furniture over the past 40 years, and the smaller homes we are all living in, people want to curate their spaces, according to needs and taste. This has lifted the craftsmanship and custom-made furniture industry to new heights. This trend will surely continue.
What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? People think I am balder than I really am!
What would you be doing if you weren’t running IROCO Design? Designing and custom-making hand crafted sculptures or furniture.
Sonia Jackson
Three best things in life? My family, the great outdoors, a notebook and my camera (that’s four!)
Last item you bought for yourself? A long dining table with plenty of room for a huge Spanish-style dinner party.
If you were a piece of furniture, what would you be? A large round sofa covered in a rich brightly covered fabric, perfect to snuggle into.
Where do you draw your inspiration? I’m obviously inspired by travel – places like Laos, South American, Sri Lanka and Africa are so rich in colour. I love colour!
Which piece of contemporary design do you admire most and why? For me it has to be the Voido Rocking Chair by Ron Arad – a classic piece that was inspired by an old Mini seat in a scrap yard.
Give us a hot interior design tip? Invest in Spanish and Portuguese designers – they are right on the cutting edge at the moment.
What would you be doing if you weren’t running IROCO? I would be training to climb Mount Everest with my eldest daughter.