Beyond Design

How much do you use your
background experience for design and implementing product design?

Before the art world, I was a carpenter and ran my own construction business. Many things come in handy, like understanding proportion, scale, materials, measurements and how things are built and manufactured.

What are the first things you think of when you start working on a contemporary product?

I start to think about materials first and then generally what colour palate I’d like to work with. Sometimes the materials dictate the piece, and sometimes the piece dictates the materials.

Most of your projects are custom. What is the meaning of a custom product and what are the differences between a custom and a regular product?

A custom piece is made to the clients specifications. They can choose different metal finishes, paint colours, upholstery materials, etc. A project I do myself has no outside mandated specs. I just do what the artist does; I go with my instinct.

When working on custom projects, do you talk to the customer and ask for their opinions?

Of course. We work together to determine that the client is happy with the direction of the project. I would never be satisfied if the client didn’t like the work.

What are the unique aspects of your designs?

Quality of workmanship, original ideas, great proportions, materials, and limited edition works. They are highly creative and well designed to not only be beautiful, but functional.
I spend a lot of time getting the ergonomics right for chairs and make sure they are comfortable, and not just sculptural.

Can the deadline affect the design and presentation process?

Deadlines are very important but if something takes longer, for whatever reason, I will not sacrifice quality just to rush a timeline. We, of course plan ahead and give the customer a realistic lead time so we can manage their expectations. Better to under promise and over deliver. Most people understand that creating art is not a rigorously timed exercise, but like I said we are experienced so we give lead times that work with customers schedules.

What are your inspirations?

I get inspired watching other people do what they do best.
I like watching other artists, and travelling to great design and art fairs. Travelling to new places and learning new things,
I get inspired by people that have overcome obstacles to get to the top. I like people with gumption and determination; people that want to be their best, but also people with modesty.

Could you please talk about this chair. Where did this idea come from? What is the concept behind this design?

This chair is part of a series called, “Off The Chain”. So far, there are eight different pieces in the collection. The series is centered around a simple, medium gauge steel linked chain. Something that can be seen everywhere in the world. The idea is to take a simple material and elevate it to beyond its intended purposes and showcase a common material in unexpected ways. An experiment to think outside the box and look for everyday items, transforming them into collectible works of art.

How has pandemic affected your work?

The pandemic has been good to the interior design industry and many designers are as busy as they have ever been; which in turn, is good for me. I’ve also started working with a new gallery in Paris. They are opening a new location in Cannes. And also a new collaboration with a brand new gallery opening in New York for the fall, and will start representing my work. With so many options, this pandemic has forced us to look in new directions and form new friendships, building new relationships with workshops, artisans, factories, and clients.There’s a place for everything but in my work, I like to excite
and have people react.

‘’There’s a place for everything but in my work, I like to excite and have people react.’’

Which group do your customers belong to, architects or interior designers?

I work with architects, interior designers, galleries, and private collectors, or anyone who exhibits a love of my work. I work with everyone.

Your product designs are pretty Avant-Garde, who are the audiences?

‘’I just do what the artist does; I go with my instinct.’’

People with exceptional taste and a love of the arts, people that want something original and unexpected, and people that want to live with things that nobody else has.

Where do you get the materials you use and what helps you make that choice?

Materials come from all over the world. It really depends on what I am designing or working on, exotic wood, marble, stone, glass, fabric, paints, metals, or different finishes. I do plenty of research looking for the best. Materials each hold their own properties so of course some materials exhibit certain characteristics that work for the task at hand. The possibilities are endless, it really depends on many factors.

Which one of your designs is your best design?

I’m not sure I have an answer for that, usually what I am working on at the moment. I am constantly developing my own skills and refining my eye, as ideas, styles and tastes change, just like people. My “Star Lounger” is quite a beautiful piece, and my series, like the “Striped, Chain and Rebar,” are all quite unique and distinctive.

Have you ever done a project that you did not want to sell to the customer?

Many of my paintings are hard to let go and they cannot be reproduced. Furniture can be recreated again. Last night, I saw a painting at a client’s home and it was like seeing an old friend.

Your designs are unique. What is the role of colour combination in the designs?

‘’There’s no
shortcut to a dream, it’s all blood and sweat, and life is what you manage in between’’

Personally, I am a big fan of colour. We see in colour and I think the world might be a little boring in beige. Colour strikes everyone differently and that’s why we provide options on many pieces. Colour evokes emotion and gives off more energy than neutral tones. There’s a place for everything but in my work, I like to excite and have people react. I want my pieces to be bold and not get lost in the background.

How long does it take from having an idea to the final stage of presenting it?

It totally varies. There’s the idea, then the sketch, then the drawing and engineering, then renderings, revisions, and lastly the build. It can be weeks to months.

‘’The possibilities are endless, it really depends on many factors.’’

Your design products are close to European styles. Are you inspired by any European designers?

Mattia Bonetti out of Paris and Job Smeets of Studio Job from the Netherlands and Job Smeets of Studio Job are personal favourites. I’m inspired by timeless designs with original ideas and noble materials.

How important is the role of ergonomics in the designs?

I find it very important, especially in chairs and seating. It must fit the body and be comfortable. There are basic/general measurements for every piece of furniture, like table height, chair seat height, etc. These measurements have been discovered by the average size of people, arm length, total height, leg height, etc. Of course, we can alter some pieces to make a specific size or customization.

What is the recent project you are working on?

I am working on a new dining table, it is part of my Rebar Series. I’ve come back to it after all these years. It’s like sculpting, but very hard to manipulate to exact specifications. The top will be made of epoxy resin with floating coloured chunks of rebar embedded into it. It’s taking a lot of time to get things right. I’m very much looking forward to showing it off.

Do you have a project in mind that you have not started or has not been offered to you yet?

So many more designs than I have time for. They are also expensive to produce, so I do not just want things sitting around. I custom make to order, it’s the best way until I can possibly open up my own gallery.

What’s your advice for people who would like to implement their own ideas and designs?

Just try it, start with a sketch. But I will say that making my kinds of pieces are not for the faint of heart. It takes years and decades to learn all you need to know. It’s a tremendous amount of money, time, energy, and passion, and maybe a few blow ups.

If you had the option to work with a famous interior designer or architect, who would that person be?

Mattia Bonetti and Job Smeets

What’s the best sentence or music that motivates you?

Remember what they say, “there’s no shortcut to a dream, it’s all blood and sweat, and life is what you manage in between.” Band, “Broken Bells” song, “October”.