Resto Collection
An ethical and low toxin furniture collection devoted to staying well-grounded. Inspired to invoke a connective experience to the natural world with a contemporary yet nostalgic take on mid-century furniture. Proportionally suitable for one and a half-humans.
Oneness - the state of being unified or well grounded, while comprised of two or more parts.
Togetherness - The ability to connect with others while staying well grounded together in positively shared environment.
Inspiration
My inspiration derives from my love for the natural world, mid-century furniture, and ethically sourced low-toxin materials. My intent was to intersect all realms in a unique way. Being able to connect to nature shouldn’t have to be exclusive to the outdoors. One can experience nature through furniture that reflects their values, lifestyle, and living space.
The furniture industry is harmful in many ways. To animals, to our health, and to our environment. My incentives were to investigate the several ways in which the furniture industry and furniture itself is so toxic and detrimental to all life forms. We shouldn't have to rely on cancer-coated conventional furniture that defies our morals to furnish the space in which we occupy.
Process
Resto Collection was a semester-long furniture studio project. The studio consisted of two different projects without any constraints aside from the first project being a furniture accessory and the other having to be furniture. I decided to connect both projects into counterparts creating a collection devoted to ethical and low toxin furniture. I started off working on project one, constrained to be a furniture accessory of some sort. I directed my focus on designing A low-grounded multifunctional table, footrest, and bench with the foresight of it being the counterpart to a chair for project 2. I then got right to ideating and concept development…
Materials
Utilizing low-toxin, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced materials was a priority for the Resto collection. All hardwoods were sustainably sourced and are as follows from left to right. Walnut, Maple, and Poplar. The textiles and upholstery materials of the building touch more intimately on my passion for the project. Non-animal and low toxin fabric and cushion stuffing were a must. I utilized organic Crypton Cabrini High-Performance Woven Upholstery Fabric for the covers, and organic cotton stuffing for the upholster wrapped in organic cotton batting.
Senior Show Furniture Exhibition Spring 2022
Thank you to everyone who supported me to dream big and to everyone who helped me make this happen.