New finds - The wood edit
Bolia at Prat Living
Every month, I present a short edit of quiet designs and minimalist homewares that have caught my eye amongst new collections. This month, objects made from wood have captured my interest especially. Here are a few finds to add to your wish list.
As a holistic interior designer, I make a point of furnishing your space with furniture and homewares that will not be detrimental to your health, both physical and mental. I source objects that are responsibly produced and ethically crafted, and materials with low VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) emissions. Wood wares can create a bridge between our man-made urban interiors and our visceral need to reconnect with nature. Bringing more nature indoors has been repeatedly proven to reduce stress, improve sleep and alleviate symptoms of depression, and using wood in interiors can amply participate. The tactility of wood anchors us, its warmth calms us. It is, after all, a living material.
I have put together a short selection of wood objects that are currently on my radar. Products are designed by Israeli designers or available from local retailers, listed below, with a small selection sourced directly from design brands located in Asia-Pacific or Europe. All are committed to traditional methods of forestry and craft, their wares are slowly and ethically produced.
The ND54 High Chair by Carl Hansen & Son. A functional and aesthetically appealing high chair for children, made from solid wood in the Carl Hansen tradition. Designer couple Nanna and Jørgen Ditzel, pioneers in modern Danish design created the chair in 1954 for their own twin girls. I love how simple and elegant it is, allowing children’s pieces to engage with the rest of the furniture in the kitchen or dining room.
The Afteroom dining chair by Menu (exclusively available at EditionBy) is crafted from light plywood, which gives it that streamlined silhouette. I am particularly fond of the dark stained oak version, which enhances the grain and lends warmth to interiors.
It was impossible for me not to include The Slow Bedby Plyroom, a Melbourne-based studio I recently discovered and fell in love with. I feel strongly connected to the brand’s ethos of slow living, simplicity and timelessness, apparent in the bed’s clean and minimalist design. Furthermore, all materials used in its production aim to minimise wastage and impact, from the sustainably forested timber to the low VOC plant-based finishes and the made-to-order policy.
The Arbour sofa by Hay (exclusively available at Tollman’s Dot) made the selection because of its FSC-certified wood, its water-based lacquer and its EU-Ecolabelled upholsteries. Whether in oiled waxed walnut or in oiled waxed oak, the frame’s carefully balanced proportions bring a sense of harmony to interiors.
The Tallo wall wardrobe by Rebecca Goddard for Foresta is one of my absolute favourites this year. If only because all Foresta products are made from teaks grown in their own organic plantations in Honduras without any kind of pesticides or fertilizers, and finished with a natural oil treatment. Tallo is an extremely simple wall-hanging wardrobe that celebrates the tactile quality of natural wood, while promoting the functional, essentialist aesthetic I cherish.
The Triangle wall lamp by Asaf Weinbroomis like a visual essay on contrasts. It seems to explore the opposition between angular and circular forms and between the warm tactility of natural oak and the frosted texture of polished glass.
The new Sprout collection of coffee tables from Bolia (exclusively available at Prat Living) fuses wood and marble in a simple yet playful design. Different sizes and shapes make it possible to create fun compositions without compromising a minimalist aesthetic. In fact, Bolia has mastered the art of the eye-catchingly simple with products that combine the whimsical with the extremely sober.
TheWood Bluetooth Speaker R1/R2 by Beladesign, a Chinese brand that produces everyday tech objects from various wood essences. This speaker is literally carved from a block of solid wood, while the geometric patterns on the sound-transmitting cover are holed out with laser technology. A built-in battery makes the product convenient to use and carry around. Because tech gadgets don’t have to be made from heavy metals that contribute to environmental pollution and are hard to recycle.
The Insert coffee table by Ferm Living (at Tollman’s Dot) is a sculptural piece crafted from solid ash. The geometric shapes make for a statement piece that combines art and functionality. Again, I like the contrasts of curves and angles, which create a a strong, architectured silhouette with a softened edge.
In solid oak, the Carved Table 358 by wood designer Alon Dodo is entirely made by hand. The hand-sculpted legs showcase a raw texture, left by the craftsman’s tools. The top is made of black oak and can be ordered in custom sizes and finishes.
The Simple collection by Kalon is produced without toxins or off-gassing, made from fully sustainable and domestically produced wood in the US or Germany. Each piece is handcrafted to order by traditional furniture makers. The ancient Greek concept of 'kalon' meant beauty linked with moral worth and usefulness, which is a symbol I strongly relate to.
The CHS Wood Tray by Carl Hansen & Son is a set comprising two wooden trays, a small round one and an oval one. They are both made from offcuts from Carl Hansen & Son’s furniture production, so as to minimise resource waste.
