Inspired by British-American writer Alan Watts and his philosophy of “do what you love,” designer and woodworker Luke Hope made a mid-life career change to follow his creative calling—to live a life shaped by passion, curiosity, and design using natural materials.

That journey began over a decade ago with wood carving. The turning point had come when his son returned from a two-week camping trip, having whittled a spoon, sitting beneath the sun, surrounded by nature. Luke ordered his first crook knife shortly thereafter and began carving himself.

Enamoured by the calm, meditative, and deeply fulfilling pace of the work, what began as a hobby quickly became an all-consuming pursuit. Luke soon transitioned into full-time woodworking. Having studied design decades earlier, the natural convergence of his skills and sensibilities earned him recognition in short order. From his first workshop in London, Luke shared his creations under the name Hope in the Woods—an Instagram moniker that afforded him the anonymity he wanted at the time. Crafting each piece himself for many years, Luke relied on a blend of traditional techniques and modern tools and technology, finishing every object by hand with the same level of care and intention. As his following grew and his work reached discerning customers around the world, it became clear that creating alone was no longer sustainable. Luke looked to Southeast Asia—a place he and his family had spent meaningful time over the years—to scale in a slow, purposeful, ethical, and human way. Today, from his workshop in central Vietnam, Luke employs a small, close-knit team of local people he has trained to become skilled makers, now an integral part of the Luke Hope Design business and family.

Now dividing his time between London and Central Vietnam - where he lives and works for most of year – Luke and his team shape extraordinary organic materials into contemporary sculptural tableware and utensils of striking, fluid form. His pieces “carry a sense of movement and visual tension, with subtle shifts that play with perception, encouraging a second look and a tactile response.” Continually exploring the relationship between material, form, and light, Luke’s work balances natural expression with human intention in a way that feels both thoughtful and alive.

It is no surprise that his wares are prized by chefs, restaurateurs, and collectors around the world. Their place in the Eatingtools collection feels like a natural fit, and we are proud to share a close partnership marked by exclusive works and thoughtful collaborations. Luke Hope Design will debut with Eatingtools in December 2025, with a collection certain to make waves.