Wallpaper* Global Interiors: a snapshot of design in Central and North America

Finishing our Global Interiors (opens in new tab) journey in Central and North America, we discover some of the finest contemporary furniture as well as experimental pieces of lighting and ceramics. Exploring fine examples of American design from the USA, Canada, Guatemala and Mexico, our search for some of the most inspiring global furniture design is represented in the April issue of Wallpaper* magazine through a sequence of immersive images created by Berlin 3D design studio Form & Rausch. Here, we showcase in more detail our pick of design from Central and North America.

Bocci

Canadian lighting brand Bocci was founded in 2005 in Vancouver by art director Omer Arbel, who has since developed a rich collection of lighting defined by organic forms and particular attention to glass blowing craftsmanship techniques. Through his work, Arbel merges his interests in the fields of architecture, sculpture, invention and design, with recurring themes including ‘the intrinsic mechanical, physical, and chemical qualities of materials and the exploration of light as a medium.’

The ‘57’ series from the extensive collection of lighting is available as a pendant or table lamp (pictured), featuring an integrated dimming system concealed within the sleek brass cylindrical base. The bulbous forms of the mouth-blown glass shade enhance the precious nature of the glass craftsmanship. 

Knoll International

The ‘Avio’ sofa system by Piero Lissoni for Knoll (pictured) is a versatile sofa system that can be adapted to suit a variety living room (opens in new tab) spaces. The ample cushioned sofa is perched on metal legs, appearing to be floating on the structure. The sofa’s elements allow for several asymmetrical compositions to fit a space, and includes add-ons such as integrated marble side tables or surfaces to extend the sofa’s functionalities. 

The Future Perfect

With locations in New York, San Francisco and LA, design gallery The Future Perfect offers a collection of furniture and objects by some of the world’s most celebrated creatives. Since its founding by David Alhadeff in 2003, The Future Perfect has introduced the work of American designers such as Lindsey Adelman, Jason Miller, and continues to champion talent from the States and beyond.

Part of the gallery’s offering is the ’Constructs and Glitches’ series by American designer Christopher Stuart; a collection featuring furniture-inspired pieces of manually distorted geometry (Constructs) and computer distorted pieces that derive their forms from glitches produced by CAD. The ‘Chamfer’ table from the series (pictured) deconstructs the forms of a coffee table to create a sculptural composition of precision-bent sheets of stainless steel.

Simone Bodmer-Turner

New York based ceramicist (opens in new tab) Simone Bodmer-Turner started her eponymous studio in 2018, inspired by her travels and collaborations with clay communities in Japan and Oaxaca, Mexico. Her ‘Permanent Collection’ (pictured here, the ‘Stav’ vessel from the series) was designed ‘to be a timeless, complimentary group of curvy ceramic forms, emphasizing the power of negative space, and heavily influenced by the bridged, multi-necked forms of Meso-American stirrup vessels,’ she explains.

Emeco

Based in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Emeco is one of the leading players of recycled and sustainable furniture design (opens in new tab). Their most celebrated piece, the 1006 Navy Chair, was originally made in recycled aluminium for the US Navy in 1944, and remains a staple in many domestic and hospitality interiors worldwide, as well as one of the finest examples of recycled furniture. 

Since then, Emeco has collaborated with some of the world’s most celebrated designers, including Konstantin Grcic, whose ‘Parrish’ chair (pictured) was originally designed for the Parrish Art Museum in New York. ‘Just like the modest museum building holds an internal complexity, Parrish combines a subtle design with a heartfelt technical core,’ they say. The slender aluminium frame is available in three finishes (clack, aluminium and red) with the option of a leather or wooden seat for a mix and match effect. 

Studio Davidpompa

Designer David Pompa started his design brand in Mexico City in 2003. He describe his work as ‘a constant journey to discover new aspects of Mexican culture.’ He continues: ‘our work merges the essence of materials with bold and characterful aesthetics; the collection is shaped by elegant forms, unique pieces with a timeless visual language.’

The ‘Origo’ lights series designed by Pompa includes wall, desk and pendant lights (pictured) featuring Fiorito granite stone combined into totemic compositions.

RH

Timothy Oulton’s collection of low tables for American furniture company RH features essential forms inspired by plints, declined in various shapes and sizes to suit a variety of domestic functions. The tables’ proportions are informed by 1970s design, and the tables are clad in marble (Italian Carrara or Grey Marquina) for added lightness.

Sofía Véliz 

Mexican-born artist Sofía Véliz works between Mexico and Guatemala, creating sculptural pieces such as the ‘Procedencia’ vase (pictured), defined by a Brutalist aesthetic and geometric forms. 

Bernhardt Design

The elegant proportions of the ‘Matinee’ chair by Bernhardt Design feature a slender oak frame following traditional furniture construction methods with a contemporary silhouette. The chair is available in a variety of oak finishes as well as textile or leather seat upholstery options.