Some designs become part of everyday life through their simplicity, functionality and the small details that set them apart. The Ripple Glassware Series is one such example. Defined by the characteristic rippled surface that gives it its name, the series spans stackable water glasses, wine glasses, champagne saucers, jugs and carafes, among other designs, bringing sculptural quality to everyday rituals. Across clear and frosted glass, as well as softly coloured finishes, each piece presents its own character while maintaining a shared visual language. Behind the recognisable form that has made Ripple a signature of Ferm Living and one of its most enduring bestsellers lies a continued exploration of glass as a material and how considered production choices can make a difference.
No two pieces are entirely identical, with subtle variations that reflect the hand behind their making.
Each piece in the Ripple Glassware Series is mouth-blown, a process that combines skilled craftsmanship with careful attention to detail. Using a blowpipe, the glassblower gathers molten glass and blows air through the pipe to expand the material inside a mould, gradually shaping it into the distinctive fluted form. The process requires both precision and experience, as the amount of glass and the pressure of the air influence the outcome. As a result, no two pieces are entirely identical, with subtle variations that reflect the hand behind their making.
Once shaped, the glass is carefully cooled to prevent thermal stress before undergoing a series of finishing processes. The rims are laser-cut and the edges ground smooth, ensuring a refined finish that complements the textured surface. Each piece is then cleaned thoroughly and inspected for quality, with every step contributing to the balance between the series’ characteristic expression and its everyday functionality.
Recognising that design decisions are never neutral, Ferm Living’s attention extends beyond the craft of making to how products are produced and where more informed choices can make a meaningful difference. In recent years, this has led to the production of the Ripple Glassware Series was moved to a new supplier with a more energy-conscious production setup, including the use of renewable energy. The supplier has also invested in a more efficient electric furnace, recovers waste heat for use in its facilities and uses solar energy to supply part of its operational electricity. These practices form part of an ongoing effort to improve production efficiency and make more considered use of resources. Supported by detailed climate screening and close collaboration with our production partner, this change reflects a commitment to understanding the factors that shape a product’s footprint and identifying opportunities for improvements.
Material selection is another important part of this process. The majority of the Ripple Glassware Series is now made from GRS-certified recycled glass, supporting a more circular approach to material use. The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a third-party certification that verifies recycled material and helps ensure traceability throughout the supply chain, alongside defined environmental and social criteria.
The Ripple Glassware Series reflects how design, craftsmanship and responsibility can evolve together.
Overall, the Ripple Glassware Series reflects how design, craftsmanship and responsibility can evolve together. Through continued collaboration with suppliers, closer attention to materials and a commitment to greater transparency, Ferm Living continues to make considered decisions at every stage of a product’s life. It is an ongoing process, shaped by the belief that meaningful change begins with understanding how things are made – and continually asking how they might be made better.
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