Have You Heard? Wood Furniture Is Cool Again

An age-old material gets a surreal new twist.

In the world of furniture design, wood is one of the oldest and most beloved materials. There are myriad reasons for furniture designers’ enduring fascination. At its most basic, it’s durable and readily available. But from a purely creative perspective, it’s among the world’s most versatile mediums. Wood can be rendered in linear silhouettes or more sculptural shapes. Different species of timber, like cherry, oak, or walnut, can result in a completely different color palette. What excites us most, though, is what the next generation of designers is doing with this age-old material. Particularly in Los Angeles, a growing cadre of creatives is approaching wood in a fresh, exciting way that feels at once familiar and contemporary. Whether the experimentation is in shape, color, or overall style, these West Coast woodworkers are pushing the boundaries of timber in new, exciting ways. We selected a few of our favorites and photographed them where it all began—in a lush, forest setting.

No, your eyes are not deceiving you: This surreal chair has a carved wood sweater casually draped over its back. No surprise that its designer, Sam Klemick, comes from a fashion background—which includes design roles at Guess, Free People, and others. There’s incredible delicacy in the way the “fabric”—carved from solid wood—hangs uncannily over the frame, making this chair both a statement piece and a conversation starter.

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You’ve likely seen Nik Gelormino’s work before, whether a custom piece for a private residence by your favorite interior designer or in Commune’s revered online shop. Here, the swirling Shell stool preserves the texture and hue of the original timber while completely reimagining its shape.

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Base 10 studio in Los Angeles, founded by artist Lindsey Muscato and Joshua Friedman, is influenced both by Japanese woodworking techniques and the material itself. The Bowtie chair, for example, lets the elm shine, adding a few small bowtie inlays along the legs (hence the name).

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Adi Goodrich grew up in her father’s woodshop, so it follows that the designer went on to create a collection that pushes the medium’s boundaries. Her series of tables, chairs, and stools explore the ways in which color can enhance the natural beauty of wood. Here, blue stands out against the natural cherry.

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Some designers opt to preserve the raw qualities of wood; others prefer to smooth it over. Tristan Louis Marsh finds himself in the latter camp with the Elephantine chair, made from a technique that coats the frame in resin to create a smooth, otherwordly effect.

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Waka Waka—the furniture studio of designer Shin Okuda—has a focus on wood furniture. Its experimentations have resulted in shapes both beautiful and utilitarian. Available in indigo, green, red, and other colors, the barrel-backed Leaning chair represents one of Okuda’s more recognizable silhouettes.

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Helena Madden is ELLE DECOR’s market editor, and covers all things product and trend, from flatware and furnishings to kitchen and bath. She previously worked as a staff writer at Robb Report, where she covered luxury news with a focus on interior design.

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