Our Story
As designers, we are constantly exposed to interesting products and one-of-a-kind items as we source, research, travel, and educate ourselves. We are curious about finding solutions to design problems, and often experiment with our own designs that will satisfy a need or allow us to live more comfortably, efficiently, or joyfully. Over the years, our team of creatives at Pursley Dixon have collected and created an inventory of these rare finds and distinctive designs, always hoping to find the willing client or perfect location for them to live.
When we moved into our new interiors building in 2025, we realized that the lofty, hidden space at the back of our studio would be a perfect space to experiment with a retail ‘speakeasy’ gallery to showcase all of these pieces we’ve collected - old, new, gathered, and created. We think people want and need a place to shop for those interesting layers that add depth and beauty to their homes.
So please make an appointment to come visit us, stop by a pop-up, or shop our online gallery and see what we have that you need. We are always sourcing new things and designing products during our firm’s quarterly ‘Creative Days’ when our staff has a chance to experiment, create and contribute to the collection that we have named ‘itō’.
Bronwyn Ito Ford
Founder
I have always enjoyed finding new ways to use things or see them differently. Partly because I don’t like being wasteful, and partly because when I love something, I want to enjoy it on a regular basis.
I was honored when the team suggested we call our new retail concept, itō, after my maiden name. ‘Ito’ is a common surname in Japan, where the design aesthetic is rooted in simplicity, authenticity, tradition and nature - all elements that we strive to honor in our collection of products.
My childhood home was filled with things that were, to use Marie Kondo’s words, either “useful or brought joy.” With itō, I’m proud to celebrate my heritage by assembling a collection of things worth keeping for generations, whether for their utility or their unique beauty.
Finely crafted or designed to solve a problem, these are the products we want to share with you at itō.
Our Design Ethos
Material Integrity
We commit to the authentic; we use only natural materials and reject the synthetic.
Purpose-Led Design
Every piece must serve a clear function or solve a specific problem.
Honoring the Maker
The hand of the designer and the skill of the artisan are celebrated in the final form.
Memorable Detail
We incorporate tactile or visual elements that leave a lasting mental impression.
Unpretentious Elegance
Our designs remain approachable, grounded, and free of ego.
Humanistic Ergonomics
Beauty is found in how a product feels and functions in the human hand.
A Global Lens
Every object reflects a wider worldview or a diverse cultural perspective.
Mechanical Simplicity
We favor the timeless logic of gravity and counterweights over complex engineering.
Adaptability
Our pieces are designed for evolution, featuring components of convertibility.