Wattle Mirror

Project Info

Reimagining traditional coppicing and basket-making techniques, the Wattle Mirror turns hazel stems into a tactile contemporary object that celebrates both woodland craft and regenerative design.

One of three pieces in the Wattle Collection, this full-length mirror explores how design can help rejuvenate the woodland management system of coppicing, which allows light to periodically flood the forest floor, supporting a diversity of plants and wildlife. Showcasing the natural character of bent, split hazel, the mirror is inspired by a traditional basket-making technique in which the bark is ‘popped’ from the core while the timber is still green. This reveals a richly textured surface while making the hazel flexible enough to form the mirror’s gentle curves without the need for steam or heat.

The mirror is formed from two coppiced hazel stems, bent around a former before being joined with a dowel-reinforced butt joint. A routed rebate houses the custom-cut mirror and birch plywood backing, which is fixed using screws to allow for future repair or replacement. The hazel is brushed and oiled to create a smooth, durable finish, while small areas of bark are deliberately retained to celebrate the material’s origins and the making process.