The SEYUN Furniture Collaboration Has Been Galvanized

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

Korean artist Seungjin Yang, through his 'Blowing Chairs' project, transforms an ordinary party balloon into functional furniture by manipulating the material in an unconventional way. Yang's background in Metal Art & Design from Hongik University in 2013 led him to explore materials that were more fragile than stable, diverging from the inherent strength of metal. This exploration began with experimentation with balloons, initially for lighting designs, but soon shifted to furniture, culminating in the 'Blowing Chairs' collection. The collection comprises various chair-like objects, including backrests, legs, and arms, all formed using inflated modeling balloons. Examples include a stool with a seat made from a single coiled balloon and a deck chair-style piece utilizing two-tone balloons to differentiate between the frame and sling. Yang also developed larger pieces, such as a two-seater bench constructed from elongated, sausage-shaped balloons. The creation process involves blowing balloons into desired shapes and then applying multiple layers of epoxy resin. Each piece requires approximately half a day for a single resin layer, with successive layers added to achieve the necessary rigidity and a glossy, solid surface. A single stool takes about a week to complete, illustrating the labor-intensive nature of the process. Yang's artistic approach is rooted in manipulating childhood memories through design, using the fragility of balloons to create something enduring and functional. He achieves an illusion of impossibility, as the finished products appear delicate yet are structurally sound enough for use. This method allows him to transform a simple, personal making process into what he envisions as an industrial fabrication, bridging the gap between art and utility. His recent work expands on the 'Blowing Chairs' series with a focus on more playful colors and experimental forms, demonstrating continuous evolution in his craft. The 'Blowing Chairs' have gained international recognition, being featured in group exhibitions at notable venues such as Kumho Museum, Museum of Cultures Milano, DDP, and Seoul Museum of Art. International projects include participation in the XXl Triennale di Milano and Design Days Dubai. Yang's work is characterized by its ability to evoke a sense of childlike wonder and pleasure, challenging perceptions of material and function by turning a typically ephemeral object into a durable piece of furniture. #FurnitureDesign #ArtDesign #InteriorDesign #SeungjinYang #BalloonArt #EpoxyResin #SculpturalFurniture #InnovativeMaterials

Interior Define, a furniture company known for its customizable modern seating and bed frames, has expanded its offerings with a new dining collection. This collection maintains the brand's focus on personalization, allowing customers to tailor their dining sets to better suit their individual spaces and aesthetic preferences. The new dining series features a streamlined table and upholstered chairs, designed with a helpful degree of customization in mind. The dining tables, available in round, square, and rectangle shapes, cater to various space requirements, with the smallest options suitable for compact apartments, seating two to four people. The tables feature a 45-degree beveled apron and are constructed from a dense engineered wood composite with a wood veneer finish. Customers can choose from four table finishes: walnut, oak, gray stain, and white. Further personalization extends to the table legs, with seven available finishes, including the four table finishes, plus matte brass, natural steel, and brushed stainless steel. The chairs in the collection offer even more design flexibility, with three distinct styles: the Art Deco-inspired Audrey, the clean and simple Dylan, and the kite-inspired Kit. Each chair style can be upholstered in dozens of fabric options. For the Dylan and Kit chairs, customers also have a choice of three leg styles—round dowel, tapered, and antenna—and three finishes: matte black, matte brass, and chrome. Pricing for the dining tables ranges from $900 to $1,400, while the chairs are priced between $350 and $600. A notable aspect of Interior Define's service is the inclusion of white glove delivery and furniture assembly with the purchase. This approach differentiates them from other online furniture retailers like Burrow and Floyd, which typically opt for flatpack shipping and require DIY assembly. To assist customers in making informed decisions, Interior Define provides several ways to visualize their furniture before committing to a purchase. One modern option is an iOS augmented reality (AR) app, which enables users to place virtual representations of the furniture within their own homes, similar to apps offered by Ikea and Anthropologie. For those who prefer a more traditional experience, the company operates four physical showrooms, known as Guideshops, located in major cities: Chicago, New York, Austin, and Los Angeles. These Guideshops allow customers to physically interact with the furniture and experience the quality and design firsthand. #Furniture #HomeDecor #CustomizableFurniture #DiningSet #InteriorDesign #OnlineRetailer #AugmentedReality #HomeFurnishings

This week's Dezeen Showroom highlights eight new product introductions, focusing on furniture and lighting designs from various international brands and designers. Kicking off the selection is the Chord sofa by Canadian design company Part & Whole. This modular seating system draws inspiration from 1970s lounge aesthetics while incorporating modern construction techniques and upholstery. The Chord sofa allows for flexible arrangements with its corner module, flat back module, and backless ottoman, catering to diverse spatial needs and user preferences. Following the Chord sofa, the Stair table lamp by Notchi Architects for Swedish lighting brand Oblure is introduced. This playful lamp features a stepped steel base topped with a spherical light, designed to evoke a sense of geometry and gravity. Its versatile design makes it suitable for both home and office environments, with an added functionality as a bookend. Another notable product is the 4PM chaise longue by Swedish brand Massproductions. Unveiled at Stockholm Design Week 2022, the 4PM chaise longue prioritizes comfort without relying on traditional upholstery, utilizing laminated wood. It includes a raised footrest that can serve as an additional seat or a side table. In a tribute to Italian designer Enzo Mari, Massproductions also offers a self-build version of the 4PM, complete with instructions for assembly using readily available hardware store materials, promoting DIY engagement. Monogram, distributed through Galerie Revel, presents the Spirit coffee table. This sculptural piece features an inverted cone tabletop and a substantial base crafted from exotic oak. It is part of Monogram's forthcoming Escales collection, which reinterprets 19th-century furniture characteristics into contemporary designs, emphasizing artistic form and material quality. The Lumo pendant lamp, designed by Thomas Bernstrand for Zero Lighting, offers customizable lighting solutions. This conical pendant can be installed individually or grouped in various configurations, including straight lines, circles, rectangles, triangles, or squares, thanks to a range of available fittings. This flexibility allows for diverse lighting arrangements in different interior settings. Studioforma, a Swiss architecture and design practice, introduces the Tribù sofa, conceived as a seating island to foster social interaction. The sofa is built on an elliptic walnut wood base and features cushioned seats and backrests upholstered in vibrant patterns, aiming to create an inviting and engaging communal space. Moa Sjöberg's Moci dining table for Swedish brand Asplund is an oak table distinguished by its rounded edges. This design was recognized as furniture of the year in RUM Magazine's Swedish Design Awards 2022, lauded for its harmonious balance of straight and curved elements, offering a contemporary yet classic aesthetic. Finally, the Koster outdoor collection by Studio Norrlandet for Skargaarden is highlighted. This collection of outdoor furniture is specifically engineered to withstand harsh weather conditions. Available from Swedish brand Skargaarden, the Koster range includes chairs, bar stools, and tables in three sizes, all constructed from durable teak wood and UV-resistant rope, ensuring longevity and resilience in exterior environments. These products collectively demonstrate a range of innovative approaches to design, material use, and functionality across different furniture and lighting categories. #ProductDesign #FurnitureDesign #LightingDesign #InteriorDesign #ModularFurniture #OutdoorFurniture #SwedishDesign #CanadianDesign

Simon Hamui, a renowned Mexican design studio, has expanded its presence by opening a new showroom in Aspen. This marks a significant step for the studio, which has been influenced by industrial design and architecture, bringing its unique approach to interior architecture and custom-made furniture to a new market. The studio's design philosophy is deeply rooted in two core principles: understanding context and recognizing human interaction with their environment. Context involves integrating the natural surroundings, including the local palette, textures, and climate, into the design. The second principle focuses on people, considering their lifestyles and how they experience their spaces to create designs that enhance daily living, making it more comfortable and fulfilling. Simon Hamui, who has resided in Vail for 15 years, envisioned a retail space where the public could directly engage with the studio's furniture collection and design ethos. Aspen emerged as the ideal location for this vision due to its sophisticated clientele and appreciation for high-quality design. The new showroom serves as a showcase for exclusive pieces from the Simon Hamui Collection, emphasizing the studio’s expertise in interior design and its commitment to Mexican craftsmanship. Each piece in the collection is meticulously crafted in-house at the Simon Hamui Studio’s workshops, ensuring a high level of quality and attention to detail. A significant aspect of their offering is the personalization options available, allowing clients to tailor pieces to their specific needs and preferences. This customization extends to a variety of materials, enabling clients to create unique combinations and palettes that result in a final product embodying both exceptional craftsmanship and a collaborative design process. Aesthetically, the collection is characterized by its geometric and industrial style, which thoughtfully incorporates assembly as a visible design element. This industrial aesthetic is softened and balanced by the use of premium materials and an unwavering focus on functionality. Renee Espinosa, a spokeswoman for the studio, highlighted the initial positive reception of the Aspen showroom, noting that visitors have frequently commented on the serene atmosphere of the space and the superior craftsmanship of the furniture. Espinosa described the showroom as feeling “highly sophisticated yet relaxed and congruent with the Aspen surroundings.” She also mentioned that the sensory experience within the space, encompassing the textures of the finishes, the curated art, music, and even the scent, contributes to an immersive and memorable visit. Adding to its strategic expansion, Simon Hamui Studio has also forged a partnership with Studio Como, a high-end furniture showroom located less than a block away in Aspen. Studio Como specializes in contemporary European design and offers bespoke solutions for both residential and commercial projects. This collaboration was a natural progression, given the long-standing relationship between the two entities. The goal of this partnership is to establish a comprehensive design hub in Aspen, catering to design enthusiasts and offering a broader range of high-quality interior solutions. The new Simon Hamui showroom, located at 620 E Hyman Ave., aims to be a cornerstone for interior design innovation and bespoke furniture in the Aspen community. #InteriorDesign #SimonHamui #Aspen #DesignStudio #CustomFurniture #MexicanCraftsmanship #ShowroomOpening #ContextualDesign #IndustrialDesign

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

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

The Akin Collection, designed by Gothenburg-based Anny Wang, comprises a series of furniture pieces including a display shelf, a cabinet, and a side table. Each item in the collection features tubular steel frames combined with diverse, often textured or iridescent, supplementary materials, emphasizing a design philosophy where kinship emerges from differences rather than similarities in appearance. Wang's approach challenges conventional notions of furniture cohesion, suggesting that objects can belong together precisely because of their material and formal contrasts. One of the collection's key pieces is 'Float', an open shelving unit. This unit is constructed from a blue powder-coated square tubular steel frame, complemented by shelves made of blue-stained solid ash. A distinctive design choice for 'Float' is its lack of a defined front or back, which allows for versatile placement within a room, including in the center. This design promotes an airy and open aesthetic, characterized by its clear vertical lines and free corners, contributing to a sense of lightness in the piece. The 'Sway Cabinet' is another notable component, also built upon a square tubular steel frame with legs powder-coated in a light grey finish. The storage section of the cabinet is enveloped by interwoven panels of chameleon vinyl, a material typically associated with high-performance automotive applications. This iridescent vinyl presents a dynamic visual experience, shifting its color between bronze, gold, copper, pink, and purple, depending on the ambient light and the viewer's angle. Wang explains that 'Sway' represents a sense of enclosure and privacy, with the upholstered texture of the vinyl creating a flowing, undulating form that provides a soft counterpoint to the rigid, straight lines of the cabinet's steel structure. The 'Orbit' side table completes the collection, featuring copper-plated square tubular steel legs that form a rectangular frame. This frame extends upwards through a solid ash tabletop, creating an integrated handle and an L-shaped protrusion. The circular shape of the tabletop introduces a visual contrast to the angularity of the base. This circular top is also designed to be removable, serving as a large, functional tray. Wang highlights her interest in how contrasting elements can coalesce to form a unified whole, drawing a parallel to puzzle pieces that fit together despite their opposing shapes. Anny Wang personally undertook the welding for the collection, mastering Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding to bring her designs to fruition. She is a recent graduate from the University of Gothenburg, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Design in June. Currently, Wang operates as a multidisciplinary designer in Sweden. The photographic documentation of the Akin Collection was provided by Ellika Henrikson, capturing the unique material interplay and structural characteristics of Wang's furniture. The collection reflects a thoughtful exploration of material properties and their ability to create visual and tactile dialogues within functional objects. #FurnitureDesign #MaterialContrast #TubularSteel #ChameleonVinyl #AnnyWang #SwedishDesign #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign #ContemporaryFurniture

This article highlights ten new products featured on Dezeen Showroom, ranging from innovative furniture to acoustic panels and lighting systems. Among the key products is the Prado sofa, designed by Christian Werner for Ligne Roset. This sofa distinguishes itself from traditional designs by incorporating mobile, weighted cushions that function as individual backrests. The broad, bed-like bases of the Prado sofa allow these cushions to be repositioned on the seat or floor, offering versatility in seating arrangements and layouts. The design emphasizes adaptability and personal comfort, moving away from fixed backrest structures typically found in sofas. Another featured product is the Alabastri tile collection by Italian brand Casalgrande Padana, which meticulously recreates the distinct milky color and texture of alabaster rock. These tiles are available in various colorways and sizes, making them suitable for both residential and commercial applications. Complementing interior surfaces are the hand-dyed glasses from US design studio Upstate. These hand-blown drinking glasses are characterized by unique swirling color patterns, available in five distinct colorways: Kokomo, Moss, Watermelon, Fumé, and Frankie. Each piece is unique due to its handmade nature. For acoustic solutions, Texfel introduces the Grooves Duo acoustic panels. These PET felt panels feature cut-in grooves that pick out patterns in contrasting colors, enhancing sound control while offering a variety of color combinations and pattern styles to integrate into diverse interior design schemes. Norwegian designer Torbjørn Bekken's 1960 Veng bar stool has been reissued by furniture brand Eikund. This bar stool features a sculptural, padded backrest and seat, supported by a solid oak frame, blending mid-century aesthetics with contemporary availability. Fiandre, another Italian brand, presents the Pulsar stone surfaces. These surfaces are inspired by the appearance of primordial matter and come in five neutral colorways with a speckled surface pattern that extends through the entire tile thickness, designed to minimize visible wear. Rafa Ortega's Pixels room divider for Impact Acoustics offers a flexible acoustic solution. This system comprises linked PET felt shapes mounted on a metal ceiling track, available in four geometric shapes and 36 colors, allowing for customizable room division. Workplace furniture brand Bisley introduces a range of planters designed to enhance office aesthetics and employee wellbeing. These planters come in static versions with slatted wooden panels or mobile versions on castors with a double-decker design. Australian design brand Ilanel drew inspiration from long-tailed comets for its modular Comet pendant light. This lighting system features a horizontally hung bar threaded with hand-blown glass spheres, creating a distinctive shooting star-like statement. Lastly, Spanish furniture brand Kettal's Pi workspace organization system for open-plan offices utilizes configurable H-shaped modules, available in styles tailored for focused work, collaborative meetings, and auxiliary functions like kitchenettes and printing stations. #DezeenShowroom #ProductLaunch #FurnitureDesign #InteriorDesign #SofaDesign #TileCollection #Glassware #AcousticPanels #BarStool #StoneSurfaces #RoomDivider #OfficeFurniture #LightingDesign #WorkspaceSolutions

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

This article highlights Token, a Brooklyn-based design and manufacturing studio specializing in contemporary handcrafted furniture and lighting objects in the American modern style. Founded in 2007 by Will Kavesh and Emrys Berkower, who reconnected after college, Token emphasizes quality craftsmanship, with all elements, including hinges, being made in-house. The feature, written by Jaime Derringer, founder of Design Milk, expresses enthusiasm for the studio's work, particularly its furniture pieces, which were discovered at the WestEdge Design Fair. The article showcases a range of Token's furniture designs, providing visual examples of their aesthetic and construction. These include various seating options such as the Lounge Chair and the Tea Chair, which exemplify comfortable yet modern forms. The Lounge Chair, presented with multiple images, features a sleek profile and refined upholstery, suggesting both style and comfort. The Tea Chair, also shown from different angles, offers a more compact and elegant design, suitable for diverse interior settings. Both chairs reflect the studio's commitment to creating sophisticated and functional pieces. Token's collection also extends to innovative storage and bar solutions. The Catenary Stool and Barstool are highlighted for their unique design, likely referencing the catenary curve for structural elegance and stability. These stools are shown in various configurations, emphasizing their versatility for different counter heights and social spaces. The Printed Sideboard is another notable piece, demonstrating the studio's ability to integrate artistic elements with practical storage. Its design, possibly featuring a distinctive surface pattern or texture, adds a contemporary flair to a classic furniture type. Multiple images of the sideboard illustrate its form and potential finishes. Additionally, the Dry Bar is featured, showcasing Token's attention to detail in crafting functional and aesthetically pleasing pieces for entertaining. The article includes two images of the Dry Bar, allowing readers to appreciate its construction and features. These pieces collectively illustrate Token's design philosophy, which blends modern aesthetics with traditional craftsmanship. The studio's commitment to producing high-quality, handcrafted items is a central theme, underscored by the author's personal observation of their manufacturing process. The article concludes by reiterating the exceptional quality and design prowess of Token, positioning them as an emerging and talented presence in the contemporary furniture market. #HomeFurnishings #FurnitureDesign #HandcraftedFurniture #AmericanModernStyle #TokenNYC #InteriorDesign #DesignMilk #ContemporaryFurniture

This monthly series, "In Our Carts," highlights a curated selection of new product launches and collaborations in the home and lifestyle sphere. The June 2024 edition features a range of items, from bedding and rugs to furniture, lighting, and kitchenware, all chosen for their design and functionality. One of the notable collaborations is between Danish home brand Tekla and Artek, which resulted in a new line of bedding. This collection includes duvets and shams in three colors, adorned with Finnish architect Aino Aalto’s Kirsikankukka pattern, inspired by a Japanese scarf. The collaboration also marks Tekla's first venture into kids' bedding. Cold Picnic, known for its printed rugs, has expanded its offerings with a new collection of richly hued, solid-color rugs. These nature-inspired designs, such as Grass Green, Roasted Tomato, Sky Blue, and Pear, are crafted from 100% New Zealand wool, providing a luxurious feel underfoot. Dusen Dusen has introduced three new vibrant and graphic throw pillow designs: Daisy, Hourglass, and Ricrac. These pillows come in bold colors like sunflower yellow, denim blue, and Kelly green, adding a playful touch to home decor. CB2 has launched new alabaster sconces designed by Australian studio VUUE. These hand-carved alabaster globes are available in two sizes, 6 and 10 inches, and offer a blend of old-world glamour with a modern sensibility, suitable for various interior and exterior settings. Fashion designer Carly Cushnie has collaborated with Lulu and Georgia on her first furniture collection. This 11-piece line showcases a mix of materials, including cane, wood, bouclé, fringe, and velvet. Standout pieces include the warm-toned Yucca sofa and the burl-wood Sabal console table, offering extensive mix-and-match possibilities. Opinel has released a cleverly designed grilling set that emphasizes simplicity and utility. The stainless steel tongs are extra-long with notched tips and a curved edge for effective gripping. A unique feature is the folding knife that ingeniously transforms into a spatula handle, complete with a Virobloc locking ring. The knife handle also integrates a bottle opener, enhancing its functionality for outdoor cooking. R+D Lab has partnered with Mexican chef Elena Reygadas and Fenn Apartamento to create the Rosetta collection of glassware. This collection features three new glass shapes—Acqua, Sour, and Martini—inspired by ancient vessels discovered in Pompeii. While named for specific drinks, these versatile glasses are suggested for various beverages, such as white wine in the water cups and cordials in the stemmed glasses. Finally, Belgian architect Vincent Van Duysen continues to expand his collection with Zara Home. The latest additions emphasize natural materials like wood, concrete, and solid brass, featuring pieces such as a daybed, a library system, and organically shaped concrete side tables. Dark brown is a prominent color throughout this new iteration of the collection, reflecting a sophisticated aesthetic. Baggu has also collaborated with Collina Strada on a line of limited-edition prints for its reusable bags, picnic blankets, and towels. A new highlight from this collaboration is the Horse Bag, a mini zippered pony-shaped bag, and the Boxer Plaid print on the Small Cloud carry-on, combining playful design with practical application. #ProductLaunches #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #TextileDesign #Furniture #Lighting #Kitchenware #DesignCollaborations #NewArrivals

The article details a collaborative project between flooring brand Bolon and French architect Jean Nouvel, focusing on an installation at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. The collaboration stemmed from Nouvel's prior use of Bolon flooring in the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris, where he appreciated its hardwearing, tactile qualities, and visual appeal both from a distance and up close. Bolon, on the other hand, sought to challenge traditional perceptions of flooring and explore new artistic applications for their material. The inspiration behind the Stockholm Furniture Fair installation, as explained by Jean Nouvel, was to create a "Bolon universe" composed entirely of floors, devoid of ceilings or walls. This concept aimed to push the boundaries of how flooring material is perceived and used. Nouvel also emphasized the importance of human interaction within the installation, wanting visitors to engage with the material by lying on it or touching it. Initially considering regular mannequins, he humorously decided to use four copies of a sculpture of himself by Xavier Veilhan, noting that architects should seize opportunities for humor amidst the seriousness of their profession. From Bolon's perspective, Nouvel's installation has significantly influenced their future outlook. While currently a 100% flooring company, the project introduced the idea of blurring the lines between different architectural surfaces, such as floors, ceilings, and walls. This has opened up possibilities for future applications of their material, even suggesting the ambitious idea of covering building facades. The installation showcased Bolon's new 'Create' collection, some designs of which feature a unique 3D-effect pattern, further demonstrating the versatility and innovative potential of their products. The discussion highlights the mutual respect and creative synergy between the architect and the brand. Nouvel’s vision transformed a functional material into an immersive artistic experience, while Bolon gained new insights into the potential of their product beyond conventional uses. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to innovation and artistic expression within the design and architecture industries, encouraging both parties to explore uncharted territories for material application and spatial design. The project serves as a case study for how design thinking can transcend traditional boundaries and inspire future product development. #JeanNouvel #BolonFlooring #StockholmFurnitureFair #ArchitecturalInstallation #DesignInnovation #MaterialApplication #CreativeCollaboration #InteriorDesign #ExhibitionDesign

Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams has announced a significant partnership with Kravet, a well-established textile source, to expand its upholstery fabric selection. This collaboration is a strategic move to address evolving consumer expectations for greater product personalization within the home furnishings market. The demand for mass-produced items is declining, and customers now anticipate a wider array of customization options, similar to those available for products like sneakers or luxury cars. The enhanced fabric offerings aim to elevate the customer experience by providing more choices for personalizing furniture pieces. Through this partnership, customers visiting any of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' 30 Signature Stores nationwide will have access to over 340 Kravet fabrics. This extensive selection will be available for various furniture categories, including sofas, chairs, sectionals, dining chairs, and beds. Bob Williams, president of design at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, emphasized that this investment in personalization is crucial for ensuring customers truly love the pieces they select for their homes, fostering a sense of heirloom quality. Beyond consumer benefits, the collaboration offers substantial advantages for interior designers. Chairman Mitchell Gold highlighted that designers can now procure products for their clients much more quickly. Previously, specifying Kravet fabric for a customer’s own material (COM) project would typically add one to two weeks to the lead time. With the new program, upholstered furniture orders will be delivered within a standard 10 to 12 weeks, streamlining the design process. Williams worked closely with Kravet to curate the fabric assortment, specifically targeting gaps in Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' existing upholstery collection. This effort resulted in a selection that introduces more patterns and textures, featuring luxurious velvets and richly toned jacquards. A majority of these newly integrated fabrics are also treated with a stain-retardant finish and meet residential performance standards, enhancing durability and practicality. The selected Kravet fabrics are organized into seven distinct fabric books: Sky, Twilight, Ford, Natural, Slate, Seagrass, and Graphite. The expanded fabric options are currently exclusive to Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams Signature locations, aligning with the brand's omnichannel strategy. Allison O’Connor, president and CEO of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, who was brought in for her expertise in omnichannel product, noted that this exclusivity is a deliberate step to ensure the brand is accessible wherever customers prefer to shop. Plans are also underway to introduce the program digitally. O’Connor also underscored the strategic positioning benefits of the partnership, stating that Kravet's strong reputation within the industry will help maintain Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams' presence in the minds of interior designers. #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #Customization #TextilePartnership #UpholsteryFabric #RetailStrategy #DesignTrends

Product designer Hilla Shamia has developed a distinctive furniture series that merges molten aluminum with natural wood. This innovative design approach results in unique pieces where the hot metal interacts directly with the wood, creating a visually striking and texturally rich outcome. The process involves pouring molten aluminum onto carefully selected pieces of wood. As the metal cools and solidifies, it infiltrates the porous structure of the wood, creating a seamless and organic bond between the two disparate materials. This integration is not merely superficial; the molten metal effectively becomes an integral part of the wooden structure, highlighting the natural grain and contours of the wood while introducing a contrasting metallic element. A key characteristic of Shamia's technique is the intentional charring that occurs at the points of contact between the molten aluminum and the wood. This controlled burning effect adds depth and a unique aesthetic quality to each piece, emphasizing the dynamic interaction between the extreme temperatures of the metal and the organic nature of the wood. The charring creates dark, rich outlines and textures that complement the metallic sheen, enhancing the overall visual appeal and narrative of the furniture. The raw edges and natural imperfections of the wood are often preserved, allowing the molten aluminum to flow into these irregularities, which further accentuates the natural form of the wood. Each furniture item in this series is inherently one-of-a-kind due to the unpredictable yet controlled nature of the molten metal's interaction with individual wood pieces. Factors such as the type of wood, its density, moisture content, and the specific contours of its surface all contribute to a unique outcome with every pour. This bespoke quality ensures that no two pieces are exactly alike, offering customers furniture that is both a functional object and a piece of art. The series includes various furniture types, showcasing the versatility of this technique across different applications. Shamia's work exemplifies a contemporary approach to design, pushing the boundaries of material combination and process. By juxtaposing the industrial strength and fluidity of aluminum with the warmth and organic beauty of wood, she creates a dialogue between natural and man-made elements. The furniture challenges traditional notions of material compatibility, presenting a novel aesthetic that is both rugged and refined. The designer's official website provides additional images and detailed insights into the creative process, offering a comprehensive look at the stages of development and the intricate results achieved. This collection not only provides functional furniture but also serves as a testament to the potential for innovative material applications in modern design. #MoltenMetal #WoodFurniture #HillaShamia #ProductDesign #UniqueFurniture #MaterialInnovation #ArtisticFurniture #HomeDecor

Metal furniture, typically associated with industrial applications, is increasingly being integrated into home interiors, offering a unique blend of rawness and refinement. This trend is explored through eight diverse living spaces from around the world, showcasing how steel, aluminium, and chrome furnishings can complement various design aesthetics, from rustic log cabins to minimalist apartments. The growing interest in industrial metals among young designers highlights a movement towards sustainable practices, often involving the use of a single material left raw and unfinished to facilitate recycling. Designers such as Paul Coenen, Annie Paxton, and David Taylor are at the forefront of this trend, creating pieces like Coenen's steel furniture that folds from a single sheet, Paxton's unique chainmail-fringed side table, and Taylor's award-winning Knuckle light made of bent aluminum tubing. One example is the Relogged House in Ukraine by Balbek Bureau, which reimagines the traditional log cabin. Here, warm timber paneling is juxtaposed with an industrial palette of concrete and metal, featuring custom stainless-steel consoles in the bedroom that frame a low-lying bed. This project demonstrates how industrial elements can be harmoniously integrated with natural materials. In London's Highbury House, a renovated Victorian terrace by Daytrip, a vintage zinc-plated lamp and a brushed aluminum console by American sculptor Jane Manu introduce a gallery-like minimalism. This setting artfully contrasts modern metallic furnishings with organic textures and forms, achieving a refined yet edgy interior. The Frederic Chopin Apartment in São Paulo, designed by Tria Arquitetura, features an entire column enveloped in stainless steel sheets. This striking element provides a cool, sharp contrast to the apartment's warm wood tones and serves as a backdrop for the owners' extensive art collection, allowing the artworks to define the space. Studio Okami Architecten's renovation of a duplex apartment in Antwerp's brutalist Riverside Tower showcases a blend of different metal finishes. The exposed concrete structure of the building is complemented by sleek metal surfaces, including a baby-blue painted spiral staircase and raw metal cabinets and a sculptural kitchen island, creating a dynamic interplay of textures. In Melbourne, the Kerr Street apartment by SSdH, located in a former chocolate factory, uses eclectic metal furniture as a focal point. Pieces like folded aluminum stools, an armchair with an undulating frame, and Annie Paxton's chainmail-fringed side table add a distinctive character to the industrial-inspired space. Apartment A in Antwerp, by Atelier Dialect, adopts a more subdued approach, combining a chromed metal floor lamp with a steel-bottomed, velvet-upholstered daybed. The bedroom features a unique mirrored steel-wrapped bathtub, adding an unexpected, luxurious industrial touch to the mint-green room. The Canal Saint-Martin apartment in Paris, designed by Rodolphe Parente, extensively uses metal, particularly in the kitchen. The living room includes an unlacquered aluminum stool, and the bathroom features an aluminum chair polished to a mirror-like shine, reflecting light and expanding the space. Finally, the Gale Apartment in São Paulo by Memola Estudio integrates a custom metal bar in a converted balcony area. This element, matching the kitchen cabinetry, introduces an industrial edge to the lounge area, balanced by soft furnishings. These projects collectively demonstrate the versatility of metal furniture in contemporary home design, proving its ability to add industrial flair, modernity, and a touch of refinement to diverse living environments when contrasted with natural materials or used to highlight architectural features. #MetalFurniture #IndustrialDesign #InteriorDesign #HomeDecor #SustainableDesign #ModernInteriors #ArchitecturalRenovation #ContemporaryLiving #DesignTrends

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