Inside Ransom & Dunn’s West London Atelier: A Dialogue Between Past and Present
people • designers
Founded by Julia Ransom and Johanna Dunn, Ransom & Dunn is redefining contemporary design through a lens of history, craft, and cultural dialogue. Their new West London Atelier is both a destination and a living showcase of their aesthetic; a balance of discipline and warmth, of architectural rigour and sensual details. With a collection that draws from Casa Amesti, David Adler, and Frances Elkins, Ransom & Dunn reinterpret classical design for a modern audience. In this exclusive interview with Designeers, Julia and Johanna discuss their inspirations, their collaboration with Istanbul-based craftsman Alican Icoz, and how London’s creative energy continues to shape their evolving practice.
Words: designeers
OCTOBER 2025
WEBSITE: ransomanddunn.com
INSTAGRAM: @ransom.and.dunn
DESIGNEERS
How does it feel to open your new West London Atelier?
Ransom & Dunn
It feels like a natural progression for our brand, especially in a space so special and unique for London standards. The proportions of the space are grand, and the architectural features so European, it's the perfect backdrop to showcase our collection.
DESIGNEERS
What’s the first impression you hope visitors take away when they walk in?
Ransom & Dunn
We want our visitors to feel an immediate sense of authenticity and intimacy, to feel welcome and at ease. The space is not a traditional furniture or design showroom, it's not a sterile gallery, chic, nor polished retail.
Francis Slipper Chair
DESIGNEERS
The Sala capsule draws on Casa Amesti, David Adler, and Frances Elkins. What inspired you to reinterpret that history for today?
Ransom & Dunn
Casa Amesti is celebrated for the way Adler wove classical forms into a rustic abode shell with thick plaster walls and wide plank ceilings, creating a balance of tension and harmony. Elkins layered into this foundation English, French and Chinese furniture. The result was a mix of formal and informal, architectural and decorative, discipline and surprise, a dialogue that feels so fresh. They were way ahead of their time and feel so relevant now. We are inspired by many different historical periods of architecture and design as well as contemporary influences, which can all be felt in our work.
DESIGNEERS
Which piece became the anchor of the collection, the one that set the tone for the rest?
Ransom & Dunn
The ADLER sofa is the heart of the SALA capsule and embodies our ethos as designers, which is reimagining history for the present. It blends iconic form that is both classical and modern, as well as historic disciplines such as bronze casting in its metal details.
Roman Column Bar
“The objects that we curate tell a story and compliment the depth of our collections; it’s not just about viewing furniture but more about immersing and experiencing the relationships between objects from the past and present.”
Ransom & Dunn
DESIGNEERS
How did the collaboration with Alican Icoz begin, and what did his craftsmanship bring to the work?
Ransom & Dunn
Our beginnings were very serendipitous. I had seen Alican’s metalwork at the Japanese restaurant Ojii in Paris, and Johanna had met the owner of Olivier Leone in Harbour Island, all within a few weeks of each other. We were travelling to Istanbul that same month, gave Alican a call, met for martinis, and the rest is history. We were immediately drawn to Alican’s incredible creative talent, but also his shared appreciation for art history and classical artisanry in his jewellery designs.
DESIGNEERS
London is a global design hub. How does the city influence this new chapter for you?
Ransom & Dunn
We have a deep appreciation for London’s creative community and the incredible people that live and work here. London has always been a historical international capital of people and commerce, a true global city, and that is what brought us both here and continues to inspire us. In this new chapter, we love that not only locals but also people from around the world will pass by and can visit our Atelier. We hope to become a destination for lovers of design and interiors.
ADLER sofa
ADLER sofa & Armour Coffee Table
DESIGNEERS
Is there a subtle detail in the Atelier, something easily overlooked, that feels deeply personal to you?
Ransom & Dunn
The subtle details lie in the evolving conversations between the objects, the art and the pieces from our collection. The objects that we curate tell a story and compliment the depth of our collections; it’s not just about viewing furniture but more about immersing and experiencing the relationships between objects from the past and present. As we rearrange art, objects and furniture in the space, new details and dialogues emerge, and we find that really exciting.
DESIGNEERS
If the Atelier had a soundtrack, what would be playing?
Ransom & Dunn
We've actually created a playlist available to follow on Spotify!
DESIGNEERS
If you could invite one dream guest to experience the showroom, who would it be?
Ransom & Dunn
Martha Stewart is an icon of ours. We would love to have her over for a few cocktails, snacks and lots of laughs.
DESIGNEERS
And finally, in three words, how would you describe the spirit of the Atelier?
Ransom & Dunn
Authentic, layered, and timeless.
In an era dominated by fast design, Ransom & Dunn advocate for a return to patience, permanence, and poetry. Their work captures that rare balance between history and innovation, between stillness and expression, establishing them as one of London’s most distinctive design voices.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS: Michael Sinclair
