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essey

Our story

Essey is more than a brand. It’s a mindset.

An invitation to see the world through different eyes - and to discover the extraordinary in the ordinary.

Illusion table on a wooden terrace by the sea
Illusion side table
01

The familiar, questioned

Founded by John Brauer, Essey emerged from a simple yet powerful observation: the things that surround us every day are often overlooked. Not because they are unimportant, but because they have become too familiar.

This is precisely where Essey comes in. The familiar is questioned, reinterpreted, and translated into a form that evokes emotion.

02

Between function and sculpture

Our objects are deliberately minimalist, often surprising, and always linked to a clear design concept. They straddle the line between function and sculpture. They are things you use - and at the same time, admire.

Things that do not fade into the background, but become part of the space.

An object can be more than what it is.

03

Made in Europe

Manufacturing plays a central role. Many of our products are made in Europe, often in close collaboration with specialized workshops. Whether precise industrial processes or meticulous craftsmanship - what matters is the quality in the details and the integrity of the materials.

We believe in products that last. Not just physically, but also emotionally.

Essey represents a new form of design: understated yet striking. Functional, yet never mundane. A design that doesn’t need to be loud to be noticed.

Portrait of designer John Brauer

The designer

John Brauer

Born in 1960, John Brauer travels all over the world - exploring, working, visiting and collecting in-depth impressions of different cultures as he seeks inspiration for his designs.

A graduate in Architecture from KEA School of Design and Technology in Copenhagen, he also holds an MBA in Innovation from the Danish Technological University. His original style is expressed through deep involvement and a quest for new values.

Born
1960
Studied
KEA, Copenhagen
First design
Move table, 1992

Awards & recognition

Design honours and museum collections from around the world.

MoMA Design Store
New York

MoMA Design Store

The Illusion side table is sold through the MoMA Design Store, New York.

MoDiP
Bournemouth

MoDiP

Museum of Design in Plastics, Arts University Bournemouth: both the Bin Bin and Illusion are held in the museum’s permanent collection.

Good Design Award
2005 · Japan

Good Design Award

Awarded to Bin Bin, Essey’s newly developed wastebasket.

Red Dot Award
2006 · Germany

Red Dot Award

Bin Bin received the red dot design award for superior design quality.

iF Product Design Award
2006 · Germany

iF Product Design Award

The German Industry Forum iF awarded Bin Bin for outstanding design quality.

Top Drawer
2007 · London

Highly Commended Best New Product

Illusion, the new side table from Essey, was highly commended at Top Drawer, London.

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