Rising demand for bespoke wares is driving a revival of artisanal handiwork in mainstream design. These interior products were conceived by their designers to be both decorative and functional. From colorful tiles that can be used in wet rooms to a contemporary interpretation of the classic sling chair, these pieces make a statement while making themselves useful. We wrap up this week’s roundup with multidimensional wall panels whose intricate patterns are CNC-milled into stone.
Manuka, David Trubridge
Sometimes great design involves building on the ideas of collaborators. Such was the case for this luminaire, whose original shape was based on abstract leaf shapes created by David Trubridge. One of his team members rearranged the shapes to create a five-pointed blossom, similar to those found on New Zealand’s Manuka tree. The bamboo plywood luminaire comes in two sizes (800mm and 1,100mm); the former is lamped with an E27 bulb and the latter with LEDs. davidtrubridge.com
Postcards From Myself, Ruan Hoffmann for Clé
Johannesburg-based designer Ruan Hoffmann reimagines his global experiences in a collection of encaustic cement tiles for Clé. The collection’s 25 designs (X, shown) are derived from bold patterns that Hoffmann hand-painted on 6”-square postcards to communicate the sights and sounds of his travels. In Postcards from Myself, the designs are hand-lithographed onto the white 8”-square tiles in blue and red colorways. The tiles can be used on floors and walls in indoor or outdoor applications, including wet rooms. cletile.com
Peninsula Chair, Phloem Studio
A hardwood frame and leather seat balance rustic and contemporary aesthetics in this latest take on the iconic sling chair by Portland, Ore., furniture designer Phloem Studio. The Peninsula Chair’s frame tilts slightly inward to balance its visual weight while brass rods connect it to the leather sling. The chair measures 29” tall, 27” wide, and 25” deep. The frame is available in ebonized ash and the leather seat comes in earth-toned or black colors. phloemstudio.com
Orotund, Flos
Abstract geometry and indirect lighting complement a fixture whose form is both futuristic and cartoonish. Created by Australian designer Marc Newson for Flos, Orotund is made from injection-molded plastic in white, gray, and olive-green color options. The LED on the back side of the 244mm-tall, wall-mounted indoor fixture casts a halolike glow. www.flos.com
Ply, Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper
Those who’ve completed a Tangram puzzle know the tricks to coordinating multiple geometries into a single composition. Ply by Barcelona-based furniture design studio Lievore Altherr Molina for Arper offers a series of low, triangular tables for a life-size version of the game. Each element in the series is engineered without joints to create a continuous form. The tables stand 36cm or 44cm tall and come in a natural oak, black, or red finish. The collection includes a series of 44cm-, 64cm-, or 76cm-tall stools and in a natural oak or black finish. arper.com
Kinetic Collection, Odyssey
Derived from the Greek word kinetikos, Kinetic connotes movement. Odyssey puts a twist on the term with its collection of stone surfaces, which uses light and shadow across undulating forms to bolster static façades and feature walls with dynamic visuals. The collection’s 11 patterns (shown clockwise: #01, #03, #11, and #05) are CNC milled into sandstone, limestone, granite, quartzite, and travertine sourced from Indian quarries. Available in custom sizes, the panels can be used for interior or exterior applications. odysseystone.com
