Made in the USA
Friday, May 9th, 2014
Images courtesy of Chad Robert Springer of White Door Photo, Charles de Lisle, Tiger Lily, The Modern Market
Here at Design Bureau, we love furniture and the many who make it from each and every corner of the globe. But there’s something about the classic craftsmanship of American furniture makers that’s simply undeniable. To get at the heart of what sets the U-S-of-A apart from everyone else, we asked four designers:
"What does American furniture offer that European brands do not?"
Drew Stuart, Principal and Field Director at Incorporated Architecture & Design
“Good American design is very, well, American: straightforward, unencumbered, unostentatious when luxurious, process oriented, and thoughtful without being pedantic. It’s useful without being overly constrained by functionality, open to satisfying the needs of the top of the market and the mass market, inventive, interested in new technologies, and unburdened by tradition. It is, in a word, democratic.” www.incorporatedny.com
Charles de Lisle, Owner of Charles de Lisle
“European vs. American furniture—I feel the biggest inference could be foam. European companies have utilized methods of working with foam that the US pioneered but did not seem to keep current. Ironically, contemporary taste is leaning back toward older construction methods: hand carving, hardwood frames, down upholstery, and furniture that uses less foam technologies. These are all things that American small-furniture producers excel at.” www.charlesdelisle.com
Samantha Knapp,Designer at Tiger Lily’s
“Made in the USA is a true celebration of the American spirit. It signifies what is possible when innovation of mind and creativity meet one on one. At my workroom, we produce one-of-a- kind furnishings and a unique contemporary collection that mixes textures with metal and organic materials. The fact that I can hand-touch everything I make is the pinnacle of Made in America, which is a proud stamp of approval for me.” www.tigerlilysgreenwich.com
Sherrie Hope, Interior Designer and Proprietor at The Modern Market, co-owner of M2 Studio
“It offers cultivation of new ideas to solutions of our own issues. The diversity of cities in the US provides an array of possibilities, and the support of the designers working to resolve these problems promotes innovation among ourselves. Design should be focused on where it comes from and what its intentions are. We are seeing a pattern of craftsmen, local materials, and manufacturing reemerge in the US, promoting sustainability, individuality, and a sense of place and time.” www.modernmarketlifestyle.com
Tagged with: Charles de Lisle • Incorporated Architecture & Design • M2Studio • Made in the USA • The Modern Maker • Tiger Lily
2 Comments
Eva Lee Young
May 27, 2014I’ve been working in the interior design business for a few years only, but I can say that americans had great design products. we are assisting a stunning growth of beautiful lines and choices of materials. But I still think that some countries in Europe are the best in production. Their heritage of traditional techniques are remarkable, like France, Italy and Portugal. Ther are actually some brands that are american and chose to be handmade in these countries, such as bykoket.com. USA are incresing their techniques and it would benefit learning from the masters.
John GreenMan Ondangwa
May 30, 2014Americans are narcissistic. They always want to be the best. But in design they are definitely not. The upper class interior design is usually eclectic Kitsch, copies of historic design and a statement of bad taste. The talk about American spirit in furniture design is mainly wishful thinking. If it was true the world would have heard about it. Good design is just not one of Americans priorities and not ingrained in the culture. Modern Design is in the meantime far ahead of good craftsmanship, so don’t refer to these 19th century standards.