Harkavy Furniture Focuses on Wood & Steel

Rustbelt, a Cleveland-based custom furniture maker, has been creating modern heirloom wooden pieces for over 50 years, leaving its artistic mark in various high-profile locations across the nation, including concession stands at Cleveland sports venues, gondola cabs at Yellowstone Club in Montana, and Michelin-starred restaurants like Valle in California. Their work ranges from simple hexagonal benches to intricate reception tables engraved with hundreds of signatures, showcasing their versatile design capabilities. Originating as Interior Products Co. in 1970 and rebranding to Rustbelt Reclamation in 2013, the company, now known simply as Rustbelt since 2024, is led by President Megan Barker. A team of nine skilled woodworkers in the Goodrich-Kirtland Park and Asiatown neighborhoods craft custom furniture, with projects typically spanning 12-14 weeks from initial consultation to final delivery. A core principle of Rustbelt is the meticulous selection of materials, emphasizing the unique composition of each wood slab, including its species, graining, and finish. While largely recognized for its contributions to the hospitality industry, Rustbelt consistently pushes design boundaries, embracing challenges that other manufacturers might avoid. As a woman-owned business in manufacturing, the company prides itself on innovative thinking and fostering a collaborative environment where every team member's voice is valued. This approach allows them to complete an average of 100 custom projects annually, all while maintaining a strong commitment to sustainability. Rustbelt's "Tree to Table" initiative is central to its sustainable practices. This program involves salvaging fallen timber, rather than using freshly cut wood, and then meticulously drying, milling, and refurbishing it to ensure longevity against wear and tear. All wood is sourced within a 200-mile radius of their East 36th Street workshop, highlighting their dedication to local resources and minimizing environmental impact. Barker stresses that superior craftsmanship is intrinsically linked to superior materials, a philosophy that underpins their product quality. Despite their national reach, collaborating with celebrity homes and top designers, Rustbelt maintains a strong connection to its Cleveland roots, valuing local clients who can visit the workshop and engage directly with the material selection process. With current design trends leaning towards "wood-infused spaces" and "artisanal details," Rustbelt finds itself perfectly positioned. The company aims to make the beauty of custom woodwork accessible to a broader clientele, moving beyond the perception of it as an exclusive luxury. In 2024, following the simplification of its name, Rustbelt launched a new website featuring "The Grove," a blog managed by project manager Kim Mager and marketing coordinator Eli Edwards. This platform offers insights into custom furniture making. Barker and Mager characterize Rustbelt's furniture as "quiet luxury," intending it for clients from all backgrounds. They emphasize that successful design involves not just skill, but also a crucial ability to listen and adapt to client needs. Whether it's an epoxy table inspired by a river, engraved tiles featuring native Wyoming plants, or a multi-compartment bar cart, each piece is designed to be timeless, precisely reflecting the client's vision. Each creation carries the legacy of Rustbelt's 55-year history in Cleveland, embodying the concept of "modern heirlooms." #CustomFurniture #Woodworking #ClevelandDesign #SustainableDesign #HeirloomFurniture #InteriorDesign #ManufacturingInnovation #ArtisanalCraftsmanship #LocalBusiness

Sawkille Co., a furniture company based in Rhinebeck in the Hudson Valley, specializes in American hardwood furniture featuring personalized inlays. Founded in 2003 by Jonah Meyer and Tara DeLisio, the company initially introduced these inlays as a creative solution to address "imperfections" such as knots in the wood. Meyer, whose background includes a woodworker father and a potter mother, observed that clients generally disliked natural wood formations, leading him to develop a method of patching these areas with decorative elements. The inlays, which often carry a talismanic or mythical aesthetic, include symbols like shell hummingbirds, silver-plate thunderbolts, and brass hands. These adornments are integrated into various furniture pieces, including Lambda tables, benches, and beds, crafted from locally sourced woods such as walnut, maple, oak, and sycamore. The wood itself is finished in diverse ways, including ebonized, bleached, dyed, or oiled treatments, contributing to the furniture's distinct character. Despite initial skepticism regarding the commercial appeal of these embellished pieces, the personalized inlays have become a signature element of Sawkille Co.'s designs. The company now finds that a significant majority of its tables are sold with multiple inlays, indicating a strong market demand for bespoke furniture that allows for personal expression. This approach caters to a contemporary desire for unique, customized items that reflect individual tastes and stories. Sawkille Co. is recognized for its clean-lined, Shaker-influenced aesthetic, which balances traditional craftsmanship with modern design sensibilities. Located two hours upstate from New York City, the Hudson Valley setting provides an environment conducive to creative endeavors, attracting artisans and those seeking a balanced lifestyle. While the company initially relied heavily on interior designers for business, word-of-mouth referrals have become a substantial source of new clients over its two decades of operation. With a team of 15 employees in its workshop and showroom, Sawkille Co. views each commission as a collaborative process with the client. The company's product range has expanded beyond tables to include lighting, mirrors, and chests, and its pieces are shipped internationally. A notable and highly shippable design is its three-legged stool, which Meyer identifies as encapsulating the company’s core ethos: a commitment to meaningful work, high-quality craftsmanship, and elegant simplicity. Meyer draws inspiration from woodworking innovators like George Nakashima, aspiring to create modern heirlooms that can be passed down through generations, each bearing a unique mark of distinction. The pricing for these bespoke items reflects their handcrafted nature, with stools starting from $1,250, Lambda table commissions from $21,400, and individual brass patches priced at $800, with varying lead times for production. #HardwoodFurniture #FurnitureDesign #CustomFurniture #SawkilleCo #InteriorDesign #Handcrafted #HudsonValley #WoodInlay #BespokeFurniture

The 'Connected' project, a collaboration between British furniture brand Benchmark and the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC), emerged from the unique challenges posed by a global pandemic. This initiative brought together nine designers to create furniture pieces aimed at enhancing the working-from-home experience. A significant aspect of this project was the designers' inability to physically visit the workshop or interact directly with their creations, necessitating reliance on remote communication tools like Zoom and WhatsApp, and a considerable degree of trust in the craftspeople at Benchmark. Sean Sutcliffe, co-founder of Benchmark, highlighted the increased leap of faith required from designers in trusting the technical, visual, and sensory aspects of the craftsmanship without in-person observation. An example of the innovative problem-solving employed by Benchmark is demonstrated in Studio Swine’s chair, which required its red oak and cherry wood components to be submerged in the River Kennet for a week to facilitate steam-bending. This resourcefulness is characteristic of Benchmark's workshop, which boasts 58 skilled craftspeople. Sabine Marcelis, a Wallpaper* Designer of the Year, praised Benchmark's willingness to push creative and technical boundaries, a stark contrast to the limitations often encountered with other manufacturers. Marcelis's contribution to 'Connected' is the 'Candy Cubicle,' a maple-veneer box designed to conceal home-working tools, including her partner’s monitor, with a surprising acid-yellow interior. Sustainability is a core principle of 'Connected,' mirroring previous collaborations between AHEC and Benchmark. Designers selected from red oak, maple, and cherry—woods that represent 40 percent of American hardwood forests but are often underutilized. David Venables, European director at AHEC, explained the council's mission to reintroduce these 'unfashionable' woods to designers and consumers, thereby promoting the sustainable use of all natural resources. The project underscores how consumer choices influence forest composition, advocating for a broader appreciation of timber species beyond the obvious choices. The pandemic and the chosen materials appear to have fostered a renewed appreciation for nature among the designers. Works range from Thomas Heatherwick’s biomimicry-inspired maple planters to Studiopepe’s 'Pink Moon' chair, reflecting a collective desire to connect with the natural world. Despite a common theme of natural inspiration, each designer's individuality is evident. Maria Bruun created a Scandinavian-style table from rippled maple, while Jaime Hayon’s 'Mesamachine' showcases complex, humorous, and movable cherry wood components. Ini Archibong's 'The Gate,' an outdoor collection, draws inspiration from the Giant’s Causeway, featuring a hexagonal plinth of red oak and cherry and a green-lacquered red oak top with brass inlays. Maria Jeglinska-Adamczewska's seat utilizes barrel-making techniques for its curved form, and Sebastian Herkner designed 'Stammtisch,' a modern Lazy Susan with sliding trays made from various woods and finishes. The designers will see their completed pieces in person for the first time at London's Design Museum, where 'Connected' will be exhibited from September 11 to October 11. This exhibition marks the culmination of a project that navigated unprecedented challenges through remote collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to design and sustainability. #FurnitureDesign #Woodworking #RemoteCollaboration #SustainableDesign #HomeOffice #Craftsmanship #DesignMuseum #HardwoodExports #InteriorInnovation

This article profiles Jacob Wener, founder of Modern Industry, a custom furniture design company. Wener, who has been in the industry since 2006, moved to Sarasota in July 2022 from Chicago, seeking a warmer climate and a new environment to influence his work. His background includes a childhood interest in woodworking, inspired by his grandfather, and an architectural education that he found applicable to furniture design, particularly in understanding space, human interaction with environments, and the subtle impact of design elements like finish and texture on mood. Wener's style has evolved since his move to Sarasota. While his Chicago work was characterized by an industrial vibe, his current designs lean towards a nature-inspired contemporary aesthetic, incorporating lighter, sun-kissed looks that resonate with the Florida Gulf environment. He frequently combines wood and metal but also enjoys working with leather and stone. White oak and bleached walnut are among his current preferred wood types, reflecting the natural, washed-out tones found in local surroundings like shells and sand. He operates a 2,200-square-foot workshop in north Sarasota, which serves as a functional workspace rather than a showroom, and is open for appointments to interested clients. Wener discusses current trends in furniture design, noting a shift away from "live-edge" and "river tables" that were popular in the early 2010s. Instead, he observes a move towards softer, more abstract interpretations of nature, subtle integration of natural elements, and a rise in mixing materials such as fabric-wrapped table legs or stone integrated into table bases. Asymmetry within balance and the use of tambour (fluting and half-round shapes) for bases, headboards, and wall paneling are also noted trends. Popular custom pieces include dining tables, which range from $5,000 to $10,000 for home use, potentially reaching six figures for large corporate conference tables. Coffee tables start around $1,500, and chairs are priced between $450 and $500 each, depending on materials. The typical build time for custom pieces is 12 to 16 weeks. Other frequently built items include sideboards and wall-mounted TV cabinets, with the pandemic driving demand for desks, bar carts, and home theater furniture. Regarding mass-produced furniture, Wener acknowledges their purpose but highlights the predictability of such items. He advocates for an interior design approach that blends investment pieces, vintage finds, and accessible items to create a personalized space. His own home reflects this philosophy, featuring his custom creations alongside items from big box stores. He emphasizes that custom furniture allows clients to realize their specific visions, even minor modifications like adding drawers to an existing design concept. His clientele often comes through interior designers and architects, with his aesthetic appealing to a younger demographic. In Sarasota, he works with many vacation home owners. These clients seek not just luxury but a unique story and a reflection of their personal input. Wener addresses the common misconception about the cost of custom furniture, stating that it can be comparable to higher-end mass-produced items from stores like Restoration Hardware, making it accessible beyond an exclusive elite. #CustomFurniture #FurnitureDesign #JacobWener #ModernIndustry #SarasotaCraftsmanship #Woodworking #Metalwork #InteriorDesignTrends #Sarasota

Poland has emerged as the world's third-largest furniture exporter, a transformation rooted in its abundant forest resources and entrepreneurial spirit, which has flourished since the fall of communism in 1989. The country's woodworking industry, particularly in southeastern Poland, is experiencing significant growth and modernization. Kleniewski Tartak, a sawmill in this region, exemplifies this trend. Owner Waldemar Kleniewski, at 29, modernized his inherited sawmill by investing in Italian and Swedish machinery and empowering employees, shifting from a domestic focus to serving international clients. This move involved breaking traditional Polish business norms to meet global standards. This entrepreneurial energy extends beyond sawmills to furniture manufacturing. Beata Woloszyn and Damian Wasyl, co-founders of Raw furniture company, represent a new generation of Polish entrepreneurs. They returned to their hometown of Tomaszow Lubelski after gaining experience abroad to establish Raw, focusing on affordable, high-quality furniture made from natural materials. Their venture addresses a market demand for Polish-made furniture, a sentiment that is also growing across Europe. While Raw is a smaller enterprise, larger manufacturers like Converis, located in the central Polish production triangle, cater to major international brands such as Fritz Hansen and Ikea. Converis specializes in rotomoulding, producing large plastic furniture pieces and collaborating with global designers for manufacturing. Polish design heritage, though historically constrained by communist rule, is now gaining international recognition. Brands like 366 Concept, whose namesake 366 armchair designed by Jozef Chierowski in 1960 became an icon, are actively promoting Polish design globally. Their Warsaw showroom, with its deliberate Parisian aesthetic, highlights France as a key market. The country is also investing in its design future through institutions like the School of Form, Poland's leading design institution founded by businessman Piotr Voelkel to address a shortage of well-educated designers. The school, in collaboration with Lidewij Edelkoort, emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and attracts international talent for teaching and student engagement. Furthermore, the article notes the resurgence of Polish craft traditions. Szymon Pasierb, head of prototyping workshops at the School of Form, is dedicated to reviving traditional craft education, which was lost during decades of change. He points to regions like Gdansk and Zakopane as centers of unique Polish craftsmanship. The furniture brand Nudo, founded by Domenico Russo and Kaja Alaszkiewicz, embodies this blend of tradition and international influence, combining Polish craft with Italian heritage. Maja Ganszyniec, founder of Nurt, is a prominent Polish designer working to define and promote a distinct Polish design aesthetic, challenging the common comparison to Scandinavian design. She highlights Poland's innate curiosity and resilience, asserting that after years of being held back, the country's creative and economic momentum is unstoppable. The Polish furniture industry's success is a multifaceted narrative of resource utilization, entrepreneurial innovation, modernization, and a renewed focus on national design identity and education. From the raw material processing at sawmills to the creation of high-end furniture brands and the cultivation of future designers, Poland is solidifying its position as a global leader in the timber-furniture sector, leveraging its historical context and contemporary drive to carve out a significant niche in the international market. #PolishFurnitureIndustry #TimberFurniture #Woodworking #FurnitureManufacturing #PolishDesign #EntrepreneurialSpirit #Modernization #Craftsmanship #DesignEducation

Belgian designer Casimir marks three decades in the design industry with a new collection of six wooden objects, with another six pieces slated for future release. These initial six items include two consoles, a cabinet rack, a mirror, a side table, and a low table, all crafted from solid oak and walnut, chosen for their ecological qualities. Each piece is a limited edition, signed, and numbered, reflecting Casimir's hands-on approach as a self-described furniture artist who designs and produces his work in his own studio. The designer emphasizes concept over styling or trends, aiming to rethink and question classical furniture through his oeuvre. He values the authenticity and sustainable nature of wood as a material. One notable piece, Cross4, is a customizable console designed to lean against a wall. It incorporates the symbol of a cross, which Casimir explains is a loaded symbol in Flemish culture, traditionally placed above doors to signify welcome and protection. This console is thus intended as a gesture of hospitality at an entrance. CabinetRack2, measuring 120 centimeters wide and 180 centimeters high, showcases an innovative approach to furniture construction. Casimir created a standard cabinet without doors, then sawed it into two equal parts. These parts were subsequently shifted at an angle and glued together, resulting in a rack that can also function as a room divider, demonstrating an "exercise in what you can do with a standard cabinet." Mirror3, another piece in the collection, intentionally restricts the user's view, contrasting with traditional mirrors that offer a full reflection. Casimir drew inspiration from architectural sun blinds, which are horizontal slats used to block sunlight. He reinterpreted this concept by orienting them vertically to limit the reflection to a single viewpoint within a space. The side table, Arch, is unique in the collection for being crafted from walnut wood rather than oak. Its oval-shaped tabletop is cut from a larger rectangular piece of wood, with the remaining material utilized to form the legs. These legs consist of two trusses that cross beneath the oval top, creating a small vault. Plank5, a low table standing 35 centimeters off the ground, features five oak wood planks stacked in a manner reminiscent of a fireplace or campfire, with the plank ends extending at various angles. The final piece of this initial release is Console3, a double-shelved unit supported by three rotatable tripods. Casimir's upcoming six designs to complete the 12-piece collection include three ladders and a cabinet, alongside an exploration of furniture legs, all continuing his work with wood. The designer's ambition for the entire collection is for the pieces to endure for over a century, aligning with the tradition of classical furniture making. He notes the importance of experimentation and intuition in his creative process, where the idea, material, form, and function are deeply interconnected. #FurnitureDesign #WoodenFurniture #OakFurniture #WalnutFurniture #SustainableMaterials #BelgianDesign #ArtFurniture #LimitedEdition

West Haddon Hall, a Los Angeles-based furniture company, is introducing its new Collection II, which focuses on creating future heirlooms through well-considered and thoughtfully designed furniture. Founder and interior designer Kate Driver emphasizes that good design ages better, underscoring the brand's commitment to longevity and timelessness. The collection, comprising seven distinct pieces, draws inspiration from classicism and organic forms, integrating centuries-old artisanal techniques such as straw marquetry and caning, alongside sensitive upholstery detailing. Key pieces include the Brooks armchair, featuring a geometric wooden frame with caning and a gently curved upholstered top rail, and the Mulberry armchair, as well as the Wyngate Marquetry cocktail table. The philosophy behind West Haddon Hall's new collection is rooted in creating pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and enduring. Driver believes that decorators, given their understanding of client needs and daily living, are uniquely positioned to design furniture that integrates seamlessly into homes and is cherished for generations. This approach contrasts with the trend of fast furniture, offering an edited and usable collection where functionality and the end-user's experience are paramount. Driver often references her own treasured family heirloom, an old Welsh dresser, as an inspiration for preserving the memory and value of old objects in new designs. To showcase Collection II, Kate Driver meticulously staged each piece within an architecturally significant 1921 home designed by Francis Pierpoint Davis. This backdrop, chosen for its historical significance and recent renovation that preserved original details, allowed the new furniture to be presented alongside vintage pieces and antiques. This contextualization highlights how West Haddon Hall's designs can integrate into diverse environments, illustrating the potential for new items like the Elliston daybed and Ivy side table (from Collection I, now available in a new Champagne color) to coexist harmoniously with cherished older items, fostering a personal and unique living space. True craftsmanship is a cornerstone of West Haddon Hall's collection. Driver actively seeks collaborations with artisans and craftspeople to ensure the revival and continuation of traditional techniques. She expresses a particular interest in marquetry and caning, emphasizing the importance of preserving these rare arts from fading into obscurity. The new floating credenza, for instance, prominently features natural caning and honeyed oak, showcasing the brand's dedication to these intricate skills. The company also offers customization options, allowing clients and trade professionals to specify different sizes or materials, thereby providing original, bespoke, and timeless quality furniture. #FurnitureDesign #HeirloomFurniture #InteriorDesign #ArtisanalCrafts #SustainableDesign #TimelessDesign #WestHaddonHall #KateDriver #LuxuryFurniture

Jon and Maša Kleinhample, a Los Angelino-Slovenian couple, established their design studio, Klein Agency, in Antwerp early last year. The agency has unveiled its inaugural furniture collection, 'Klein Home Collection 01,' which Maša humorously refers to as their 'first baby' that they were eager to bring to life. This collection emphasizes a blend of tactile materials and industrial craftsmanship. The 'Klein Home Collection 01' features furniture pieces constructed from locally sourced leather and oak, combined with black steel frames. The steel components are industrially tooled and assembled in Essen, a nearby town, ensuring a high level of precision and durability. The design philosophy behind the collection integrates both computer-enhanced techniques and traditional handcrafted finishing, resulting in a cohesive and functional aesthetic. The furniture range includes various items such as chairs, tables, magazine racks, and a home bar, all designed to complement their studio-home, which is situated near the MAS museum. Jon Kleinhample, a former architect, is credited with the collection's beautifully proportioned radii, showcasing his expertise in geometrical design. He describes himself as a 'precision nut,' a characteristic evident in his meticulous hand routing of each wooden piece. This precise craftsmanship ensures a perfect fit with the steel frames, thereby minimizing the need for glue in the assembly process. This attention to detail contributes to the furniture's seamless appearance and structural integrity. Maša Kleinhample employs the Japanese _shou sugi ban_ torching technique to gradually darken the oak components. This method, traditionally used for wood preservation, not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the oak but also provides a more uniform and seamless look when juxtaposed with the black steel frames. The use of this technique highlights the couple's commitment to combining traditional methods with contemporary design. The collection's design ethos balances functionality with a sophisticated industrial style. The choice of materials and the methods of production reflect a dedication to quality and a distinctive aesthetic vision. The 'Klein Home Collection 01' represents a significant debut for Klein Agency, marking their entry into the furniture design world with a range that is both visually striking and thoughtfully constructed. The collection was originally featured in the April 2016 issue of Wallpaper* (W*206), underscoring its recognition in the design community. #KleinAgency #FurnitureDesign #IndustrialWares #Antwerp #ShouSugiBan #OakFurniture #SteelFrames #Handcrafted #InteriorDesign

Freeze Design Build, a Minneapolis-based custom furniture company founded by Kiley Friese and Sam Busko in 2018, specializes in crafting unique furniture pieces. Their work, often discovered through word-of-mouth, demonstrates an experimental approach to design and a commitment to seeing projects through from conception to completion. Both founders are graduates of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, where they honed their skills in both the design and construction aspects of furniture making. This comprehensive understanding allows them to address design challenges and problem-solve effectively, ensuring that their creations are not only aesthetically pleasing on paper but also physically beautiful in their finished form. The company’s capabilities extend beyond woodworking to include metalworking and exploring various material composites. This versatility enables them to incorporate diverse elements and designs into their custom pieces. In addition to bespoke commissions for residential clients, Freeze Design Build maintains an online shop where they offer a curated selection of items. These include functional pieces like entryway shelves, benches with integrated shoe storage, and various shelving units. A notable product line is their collection of plant stands, many of which are ingeniously crafted from scrap wood, showcasing their dedication to sustainable practices and creative reuse of materials. The founders emphasize their unique use of leftover wood and colored cork samples in items such as their entryway pieces, highlighting their resourcefulness. The bench with shoe storage is specifically mentioned for its integration of graphic elements, line, and pattern, resulting in a modern design. This product line serves as a platform for their creative expression and allows them to gauge public preferences while solidifying their brand aesthetic. Friese and Busko describe their work as “fun” and their creations as embodying a playful spirit, which resonates with their clientele. Customers often seek out Freeze Design Build when they have specific project requirements that other providers may not be able to accommodate, underscoring the company’s ability to tackle unique and complex design challenges. The firm's founders pride themselves on being approachable and enjoyable to work with, contributing to their positive customer relationships. This combination of design expertise, building proficiency, material experimentation, and a customer-centric approach positions Freeze Design Build as a distinctive presence in the custom furniture market, offering both unique bespoke pieces and a range of thoughtfully designed retail products. #CustomFurniture #FurnitureDesign #Woodworking #Metalworking #HomeDecor #MinneapolisDesign #SustainableDesign #InteriorDesign #ArtisanFurniture

Danish design brand Herman Cph has unveiled its inaugural product collection, featuring a series of side tables and a dining table, alongside a range of fabric products. Founded by designers Jonas Herman Pedersen and Helle Herman Mortensen, the brand emphasizes simplicity, honesty, and quality in its designs, maintaining complete control from conception to production. This approach reflects a belief that people connect best with products stemming from good and honest intentions, and that quality materials develop character and beauty over time. The centerpiece of the collection is the Frisbee table series. The side tables, available in three different heights, are characterized by their round oak surfaces, which can be oiled or black stained, and slender, powder-coated steel legs. The design of the legs is specifically conceived to maximize under-table space. These side tables are designed for consumer convenience, arriving flat-packed and requiring only a single screw for assembly, which joins the metal legs together. Complementing the side tables is a dining table from the same Frisbee collection, which comfortably seats three to six people. This larger table also features steel legs, but with a square section, incorporating wooden feet that slot into their ends, showcasing a consistent design language across the table range. Beyond tables, Herman Cph's debut also includes a selection of fabric products. This range features limited-edition cushions and bedspreads, crafted from recycled wool fabrics, highlighting the brand's commitment to material quality and potentially sustainability. Additionally, a wall-mounted storage pocket with leather detailing is part of the initial offering, demonstrating the brand's exploration of various home furnishings. The design process for these pieces takes place at Pedersen and Mortensen's studio in Fredriksberg, Denmark. For manufacturing, Herman Cph collaborates with local Danish companies, ensuring that the production aligns with their standards and supports local craftsmanship. This integrated approach, from design to local manufacturing, underscores the brand's dedication to its founding principles of creating high-quality, thoughtfully designed furniture and home accessories. #DanishDesign #FurnitureDesign #OakTables #SteelLegs #HermanCph #FlatPackFurniture #HomeDecor #SustainableMaterials #ProductLaunch

This article highlights the enduring appeal of hardwood furniture amidst the emergence of new materials in design. While acknowledging innovations like bioplastics and vegan leathers, the piece emphasizes that skilled and creative woodworkers can transform traditional materials like teak, walnut, and oak into long-lasting, heirloom-quality pieces using only their tools and workshops. The focus then shifts to showcase several custom wood furniture makers in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who excel in crafting these enduring designs. Five distinct pieces of furniture are presented, each demonstrating different styles, materials, and price points. The first featured item is Daniel Gruetter’s bar stool, crafted from red oak. When treated with iron oxide, the red oak develops a unique ruddy, patinated complexion. Gruetter combines this material with mortise, tenon, and an upholstered seat to create a bar stool designed to be an heirloom, priced at $2500. Next is Nicholas Hamilton Holmes’ Captain’s dining table, which features a rounded design and pin and tenon joints that playfully extend through a marble tabletop. Made from white oak, this table, starting from $3700, offers a commanding presence while maintaining a lighthearted aesthetic. Heidi Earnshaw’s Half Hathaway is the third item, a made-to-order piece distinguished by its minimalist appearance, bevelled legs, turned knobs, and straight-lined design. Despite its seemingly simple form, the piece incorporates complex joinery, showcasing the hidden craftsmanship. It is priced from $5400. Atelier Arking’s Lami dining chair is highlighted for its contrast between a rigid white ash frame and soft, pillowy leather upholstery. This chair, starting from $620, is designed to serve both as a functional everyday seating option and a striking statement piece. Finally, the article features Kate Duncan’s Ribbed Bed. Inspired by brutalist architecture, this bed, however, uses textured hardwood instead of cold concrete. It can also include optional details such as brass pulls and leather-veneered fronts, and is available from $18,000. Each piece underscores the timelessness and quality achievable through traditional woodworking techniques. #CustomFurniture #Woodworking #TorontoDesign #HeirloomQuality #ProductDesign #HardwoodFurniture #LocalMakers

The High Point Market, renowned as the world's largest home furnishings trade show, presented a multitude of innovative and beautifully designed pieces during its Fall 2025 event. Despite the intense schedule of appointments and showroom visits, a dedicated editorial team actively sought out emerging trends, practical home solutions, technological advancements, and aesthetically pleasing items. Several overarching themes were observed, including a continued appreciation for menswear-inspired details in design and a strong resurgence of traditional design aesthetics. Additionally, there was a noticeable increase in elevated motion furniture and designs that offered clever transformations, discreet concealment, or made bold sculptural statements. The following ten pieces stood out as particularly noteworthy from the Fall 2025 market. One of the innovative finds was the Brindle Storage Bed from Universal Furniture's Birchaven collection. This bed ingeniously incorporates a push-to-open drawer into its wooden frame, offering ample space for linens, seasonal clothes, or hidden gifts. Its design ensures that its storage capability remains discreet, blending seamlessly into the furniture's aesthetic. Another highlight was the Betsy Stool from Made Goods, an outdoor stool featuring playful scalloped detailing and a vibrant yellow hue, which was identified as a rising color trend for the season. Its cheerful design makes it a captivating addition to any outdoor space. The Benin Throne chairs from Currey & Co. garnered significant attention with their regal appearance. Available in rich brown and vibrant green, these chairs boast intricately woven rattan and sculptural silhouettes that underscore both craftsmanship and a distinctive presence. Eichholtz’s Trolley Galliano bar cart was singled out for its stylish design and exceptional functionality. The cart features a smooth, show-stopping opening mechanism, dedicated compartments for bottles and glassware on top, and additional storage below, making it ideal for entertaining. Performance fabrics were showcased with personality, as exemplified by the Cove Outdoor Drum Ottoman from Lee Industries, upholstered in their new Backgammon Citrus fabric. This piece demonstrates that performance furniture can be both vibrant and durable, offering a stylish yet sturdy option for lounging. Traditional design received a fresh interpretation with pieces from Stanwick & Co. Their English-inspired furnishings, infused with lively Farrow & Ball colors, struck a masterful balance between classic sophistication and joyful expression. The Bronte Trundle Bed from American Leather offered a modern take on the sleeper sofa, featuring a sleek camelback frame, leather strap, and skirt detailing. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the comfort provided by its premium high-density, high-resiliency foam seat cushion was a significant draw. A clever media solution was presented by Mr. & Mrs. Howard with their Jacques Armoire. Designed to conceal televisions, the armoire features an upper cabinet for a TV and a lower section with shelving for various media components, all hidden behind an elegantly designed facade. Old World-inspired dining chairs made a strong impression, particularly the Mathis Wood Sculpted Back Dining Side Chair from Gabby Home. Its French antique silhouette and dark oak finish were noted for their contribution to the resurgence of traditional design. Finally, the Divina Kitchen Island from Four Hands stood out for its blend of functionality and style. This island incorporates a built-in workspace with a pull-out waterfall table that extends and retracts seamlessly, demonstrating innovative solutions for modern living spaces. #HighPointMarket #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesignTrends #FurnitureDesign #DecorInnovation #StorageSolutions #OutdoorFurniture #TraditionalDesign #PerformanceFabrics #KitchenIslands

This article highlights six woodworking studios located in the Hudson Valley, emphasizing their contributions to the contemporary furniture and home goods scene. The region is noted for its high-quality craftspeople, with craft fairs like Field + Supply, The Farmhouse Project, and Woodstock-New Paltz Art & Crafts Fair showcasing their work. The featured woodworkers are recognized for their distinct styles, commitment to sustainability, and use of locally sourced or reclaimed materials. Brian Persico, based in Windham, creates one-of-a-kind furniture and functional objects, drawing inspiration from natural materials and historical craft techniques. He prioritizes locally sourced wood, often from within 20 miles, and utilizes natural finishes and glues, some based on 16th-century recipes. His experience with unusual natural materials in archery bow making, such as horn, bone, and sinew, influences his designs, notably in his Windham series, which incorporates antler pins. Examples of his work include a pine and osage kindling box with hand-cut dovetail joinery and a bent Osage Orange handle, and a walnut cove mirror crafted with an antique architectural molding plane. New York Heartwoods, operating out of Kingston, was founded by Megan Offner in 2010. Her mission stems from her experience as an advertising set designer, where she observed excessive waste of wood materials. The studio reclaims discarded lumber and repurposes Hudson Valley trees felled by natural causes or development. This reclaimed wood is then used in their carpentry studio to create bespoke furniture and products, or sold to architects, designers, and other woodworkers. Noteworthy pieces include the Eclipse Coffee Tables, designed to be nested or used independently, and the Highland Coffee Table, characterized by its faceted corners, butterfly key inlays, and a hand-shaped Mid-Century inspired base. FN Furniture in Stone Ridge, established by Ken Landauer in 2017, focuses on creating well-designed, affordable, and zero-waste furniture. Landauer's designs for indoor and outdoor chairs, benches, and sofas are informed by yogic principles, ensuring comfort and proper alignment. Indoor pieces are made from multi-layered Baltic Birch Plywood using a CNC machine. Following requests for outdoor and office furniture, a line of outdoor pieces was launched in 2020, utilizing marine-grade, high-density plastic. The F2 Rocker, available in vibrant colors like red, yellow, and green, and the F2 Writing Desk with its thoughtful storage nooks, are highlighted examples. Samuel Moyer Furniture, with studios in Staatsburg and Los Angeles, is dedicated to crafting furniture and artwork intended to last for generations, thereby reducing waste. Moyer's handmade, made-to-order cabinets, tables, consoles, chairs, and beds often incorporate brass with unique, sometimes self-milled woods such as locust or American black walnut. His work frequently features unfinished sections that expose the inherent beauty of the wood and the crafting process, with a focus on statement joinery and showcasing raw edges. KHEM Studios in Stanford, founded in 2016 by Kari Britta Lorenson and Erik S. Guzman, emerged from their desire for simple, clean contemporary designs using natural solid hardwoods. Both founders have backgrounds in sculpture, which influences their homeware and furniture collections. They design and produce pieces in their Stanford studio using locally sourced kiln-dried hardwoods. Featured items include the Mega Whale Bone Cutting Board, which combines artistry and functionality with its size and deep channel, and the Unity Bench, praised for its elegant lines and unique angles, suitable for various spaces. Accordance with Nature, located in Accord, is a design and furniture studio established by self-taught furniture makers Patrick Turiello and Leah Fabish. Their backgrounds in sculpture, architecture, and industrial design are evident in their work, which ranges from sculptural side tables to custom wall-mounted shelves and peg rails. Each piece is designed and manufactured by Turiello and finished by Fabish, often utilizing repurposed tools and machinery. The Woven Shelf No. 1 in White Oak is highlighted for its delicate interwoven slats and compact design, and the Peg Rail No. 2 in Ebonized Oak is noted for its stylish organization capabilities in entryways. These six studios collectively represent a commitment to craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and the creation of unique, high-quality furniture and home goods in the Hudson Valley, contributing to a vibrant local design economy. Each studio offers distinct approaches to woodworking, from reclaiming materials to integrating artistic and ergonomic principles, all while focusing on durability and aesthetic appeal. #HudsonValleyWoodworkers #ContemporaryFurniture #HomeGoods #SustainableDesign #HandcraftedFurniture #LocalCraftsmanship #InteriorDesign #Woodworking #ArtisanFurniture

Mary Ratcliffe, a Toronto-based custom furniture designer, has gained international recognition for her work, which is characterized by a commitment to sustainability and timeless designs. Her creations, intended to be passed down through generations, earned her a feature in Phaidon’s Woman Made anthology and appearances at international shows like ICFF and WantedDesign. Ratcliffe’s journey into furniture design was influenced by her father, a hobby woodworker, inspiring her childhood inclination to craft gifts from scrap wood in his workshop. Initially pursuing architecture at OCAD University, Ratcliffe shifted to industrial design before working at prominent Canadian design studios like Bruce Mau Design and Moss & Lam. This period provided her with foundational knowledge in interior design. A subsequent temporary break allowed her to refine her career path, leading her back to woodworking. She discovered that furniture design offered a more immediate and manageable creative outlet compared to the prolonged timelines of architectural projects. This realization led her to establish Mary Ratcliffe Studio (M.R.S.), initially operating out of her father’s rent-free studio, where she readily accepted various design commissions from friends. The M.R.S. team now comprises five individuals working from her Liberty Village studio and a shared fabrication space in Etobicoke. While custom, sustainable furniture remains the core of her business, Ratcliffe's creative endeavors extend beyond wood. During the pandemic lockdown, when projects were scarce, she diversified her offerings by launching a collection of small housewares, including catch-alls, candle holders, and molded stone vessels. These items, previously given as holiday gifts to clients, became a successful venture, leading to a doubling of sales for the studio over the past year. On May 15th, M.R.S. launched a ready-to-ship collection, aiming to bridge the gap between custom and mass-produced furniture. This new collection focuses on providing high-quality, well-designed pieces at a more accessible price point, embodying Ratcliffe’s vision of making enduring design available to a wider audience. The collection includes items like the Garden of Eden Dining Table, The Bench, showcasing signature parallel lines and negative space, and a Coffee Table crafted from white oak accented with marble, emphasizing enduring beauty. Her minimal Nightstand, with its mid-century aesthetic, subdued color accents, and practical storage solutions, also forms part of the studio's offerings. #FurnitureDesign #MaryRatcliffe #CustomFurniture #SustainableDesign #Woodworking #ProductDesign #TorontoDesign #HeirloomQuality #HomeFurnishings

Tel Aviv-based Hilla Shamia Design Studio's Wood Casting collection presents a unique approach to furniture creation by combining natural wood with molten metal. The process involves taking full-length tree trunks, splitting them into wooden planks, and then carefully inserting these planks into a custom-designed mould. Subsequently, molten aluminium is poured into the mould, filling the remaining spaces and integrating with the wood to form tables, stools, and benches. A distinctive feature of this technique is the interaction between the hot metal and the wood. The intense heat from the molten aluminium causes the edges of the wood to burn, creating a charcoal line that visually and texturally separates the two materials. This charring effect is not merely an incidental outcome but an integral part of the aesthetic, highlighting the fusion point where the organic and inorganic elements meet. The designer, Hilla Shamia, describes this transformation as a 'drama' involving high heat, flames, and smoke, which ultimately yields a third material: coal. This coal layer, with its dark hue, is seen as narrating a 'love story' between the wood and aluminium, symbolizing their initial encounter and sustained connection, much like the enduring dynamics of an elderly couple. The core concept of the Wood Casting collection originated from exploring the contrasting properties of wood and metal. Shamia recognized that wood, an organic material, is highly susceptible to fire and heat, potentially burning away completely. In contrast, metal, a natural resource, exhibits remarkable durability against heat, changing its state from solid to liquid without being destroyed. By leveraging these inherent differences, Shamia developed a specialized casting technology that allows for novel connections and geometrical arrangements between the two disparate materials. This innovative process enables the creation of furniture pieces that showcase the natural grain and form of the tree trunk sections while integrating them seamlessly with the structural strength and modern aesthetic of aluminium. The resulting collection emphasizes the beauty of natural imperfections and the dramatic transformation that occurs when materials with opposing characteristics are brought together in a controlled, artistic manner. The project is an evolution of Shamia’s graduate work from 2012, completed during her studies in the Department of Industrial Design at the Holon Institute of Technology, demonstrating a progression of her unique material exploration and design philosophy. #WoodCasting #FurnitureDesign #HillaShamia #MoltenAluminium #TreeTrunkFurniture #MaterialFusion #IndustrialDesign #UniqueCraftsmanship

Nidhi Kapur founded Maiden Home, an online furniture company, out of frustration with the limited and often low-quality options available when furnishing her first adult home. She observed that existing large chain stores either lacked elegant designs, appeared cheap, or leaned heavily into a mid-century modern aesthetic, none of which met her desire for quality and value within her price range. Leveraging her background in e-commerce, Kapur embarked on a mission to create a direct-to-consumer model that would revolutionize the furniture shopping experience. The company name, Maiden Home, symbolizes the significant life changes that often prompt furniture purchases, such as marriage, moving to the suburbs, or buying a first home. Kapur's vision for Maiden Home centered on handcrafted, high-quality furniture made in North Carolina, drawing inspiration from her parents' long-lasting furniture purchases from the region. She traveled extensively across North Carolina to identify family-owned businesses specializing in custom upholstery that could meet her stringent requirements for affordable, handcrafted pieces. This extensive search culminated in establishing partnerships with skilled artisans capable of producing the desired products. Maiden Home distinguishes itself by cutting out traditional intermediaries, adopting a direct-to-consumer approach that has proven successful in other industries. This model eliminates the markups associated with selling through boutique furniture stores or outsourcing manufacturing to international factories. Consequently, a custom-made couch that might cost $6,000 through a traditional retailer can be purchased for $2,000 directly from Maiden Home, without compromising on quality, comfort, or elegance. The development of Maiden Home took two years, during which Kapur meticulously addressed the complexities of delivering custom American-made furniture nationwide. Her customer service philosophy prioritizes keeping promises and avoiding the common pitfalls of mistreating customers, a stark contrast to her perception of the furniture industry's historical practices. Maiden Home offers a streamlined customization process starting with four core sofa and four chair designs. Customers can personalize their selections based on size, fabric, and color through the company's website, which provides complimentary swatch kits and access to design advisors. These advisors offer guidance throughout the purchase journey, ensuring that selections align with a customer's aesthetic and home environment. After an order is placed, Maiden Home provides weekly updates on the manufacturing process, covering stages from cushion creation to final inspections. The company also guarantees a six-week white glove delivery service across most of the United States. An exceptionally customer-friendly policy allows for a 30-day full refund return, a rare offering in the custom furniture market. Although primarily an e-commerce platform, Maiden Home maintains an appointment-only showroom in Kapur’s Tribeca apartment for customers who prefer to view products in person. The brand officially launched on March 7, with pre-launch beta users already expressing satisfaction with the designs, comfort, and transparency regarding product origins. Maiden Home's top-selling Minetta Chair exemplifies its commitment to detailed craftsmanship, featuring 16 rows of stitch detailing and available in a wide range of fabrics and leathers. All sofas are designed for longevity, preventing flattening and cushion slippage. Kapur plans to expand the product line beyond couches and chairs, prioritizing customer feedback to introduce new furniture types based on demand, always with the customer experience at the forefront. #HomeDesign #FurnitureDesign #CustomFurniture #DirectToConsumer #MaidenHome #ECommerce #InteriorDesign #LuxuryFurniture #HandcraftedFurniture