Good design is everywhere these days. Great design—the objects, places and ideas that fuse functionality and aesthetics and then push the boundaries a step further to capture the imagination—is more elusive. Take a look at the standouts.

VIRTUOSOS

Alasdhair Willis

dek
Alexandre Isard

Alasdhair Willis

Established & Sons CEO Willis is on a mission to see British-designed products made in Britain. Already his two-year-old company has collaborated with heavy hitters like architect Zaha Hadid, whose Aqua table sold at auction for $296,000—more than triple the original price. Designer Amanda Levete's Chester sofa fused the latest technology with the traditional—and very British—Chesterfield.

Next School of Cool