Living Furniture: Why Unrefined Resonates with Us
Minimalism definitely had its day. And decluttering is still a goal on everyone’s list. However, what happens when we take it too far? The problem that quickly arose with minimalism was the sterile feeling and look of living spaces. Where we wanted warmth and welcome we were met with cold surfaces and large chunks of negative space. When done correctly, however, minimalism and decluttering are magical ways to approach a home. And one key ingredient seems to be the unrefined elements that turn your average furnishings into living furniture.
Why Unrefined Resonates with Us
At our core, somewhere deep down in our heritage, we are connected to the imperfect, yet perfectly harmonious, natural environment. So when our marble has sharp, clean lines, it loses a little something that makes it unique and speaks to its organic character. When our upholstery is too clean, too manufactured, it loses the essence and craftsmanship of its foundational material.
We may not realize it until our modern home is completely furnished with the sleekest, most refined, and perfectly proportionately mastered pieces, but we long for the little imperfections and idiosyncrasies that make furniture unique. We want a slice of nature’s organic ebb and flow to determine our space and create an environment where we feel at home.
And where do we find that? In the living furniture that allows nature to take its course and reveres the presence of the material – and less so what man was able to make with it.
Living Furniture at HORNE
At HORNE, we love the modern – it’s kind of our expertise. However, as the modern, Scandinavian, and Mid-Century design disciplines developed, each has embraced the beauty of the unrefined in its own way. Modern furniture might let the marble’s edge unsanded. Scandinavian will minimally alter a block of wood to form a bench. And Mid-Century designers loved mixing materials, bringing their unique voices into a single piece.
Trunk Bench
The epitome of unrefined, the Trunk Bench is carved out of a tree trunk and smoothed to avoid splinters – the rest is left to its own devices. However the wood cracks, whichever knots show up are all left to inform the look of the bench. The lack of interference makes the Trunk Bench a perfect example of living furniture.
9602 Floor Lamp
Originally designed by Paavo Tynell, the 9602 Floor Lamp is a beautiful example of the Mid-Century use of natural materials to create refined pieces. The modern floor lamp is crafted from canvas, wicker, bamboo, and brass, showcasing a motif of harmony between the materials as well as highlighting the unique patterns and natural colors each brings to the composition.
Reverse Table Lamp
Utilizing travertine stone, the Reverse Table Lamp charmingly highlights how the natural formation of rock – with all its pock marks, chips, and swirling colors – can create refined pieces without the sterilization of the design as a whole. The simple bowl-shaped shade of the Reverse Table Lamp is steadied on the stone base for a minimalist table lamp that packs a punch.
Fortis Sconce
Not only do we get a streak of wood with its natural coloration and woodgrain, but we get a bubbled glass diffuser in the Fortis Sconce. Disseminating light in a completely different way, the imperfections of the glass become the Fortis Sconce’s greatest strength, immediately drawing the eye, remaining functional in the modern home, and letting nature do what it does best.
Mineral Sculptural Table
Unrefined furniture to its very core, the Mineral Sculptural Table is exactly what we’re talking about when we say living furniture. Though the larger surfaces are polished down, the edges are left as they were cut – rough, uneven, and filled with organic beauty. This modern side table is the perfect balance next to a more minimalist sofa, adding that movement that is needed to banish the cold from a more simple design approach.
Lucas Teak Bench
Teak is the ultimate expression of unrefined. Though smooth at first, teak patinas and ages over the years and uses, taking on a unique character that reflects the life lived. The Lucas Teak Bench can easily sit in the mudroom or entryway, or outside on the porch or patio. No matter where it is used, it will become part of the landscape.
Rocky Tabloa Side Table
Modern minimalism meets the mountains, desert stones, and the pebble floor of the flowing river in the Rocky Tabloa Side Table. A rock is chosen and barely touched before being attached to the simple metal stand and tabletop of the Rocky side table. This contemporary side table is the perfect combination of unrefined nature and carefully constructed, man-made elements.
Rope Chair
The aesthetic is oceanic adventure meets high-end seafood dining when it comes to the Rope Chair. Another example of natural elements beautifully paired with more constructed parts, the Rope Chair features hemp ropes twisted and strung through the backrest and draped to form the armrests. This is then joined with steel tubing and beech wood and ash wood to create a comfortable Artek chair that leaves a lasting impression.
Fracture Shelf
Giving new meaning to picking up the pieces, the Fracture Shelf is crafted from 100% casted aluminum that is constructed to mimic the look of natural stone. The two piece shelf can be hung in two different directions, allowing the shelf to suit your space and needs.
Fluffy Lounge Chair
What’s more fluid and unpredictable than sheepskin? The Fluffy Lounge Chair embraces the unknowns and wild nature of the chosen materials to create the ideal lounge retreat. This elegant chair is a puff of fresh air in room and reassuring warmth in modern living spaces.
Oli Water Glass – Tall
Recycled materials form the best unrefined pieces. Allowing the recycled materials to inform the colors and surfaces and then letting the bubbles fall where they may makes the Oli Water Glass a truly unique piece. Each glass is a little different than the next – which is just how it should be!
Nelson® Thin Edge 4-Drawer Chest
A gorgeous example of Mid-Century design, the Nelson® Thin Edge 4-Drawer Chest features hardwood drawers that purposefully show off the grain by centering the knots on the front of each drawer. Set on spoke, metal legs and equipped with simple hardware, the Nelson® Thin Edge 4-Drawer Chest becomes a beacon of refinement through the art imperfect materials.
Find Living Furniture at HORNE
Whether you want your Scandinavian furniture to melt into nature, your Mid-Century home design to have an organic pulse, or your modern home to embrace the unexpected, HORNE has living furniture for you. Embrace the rough edges, unpredictable materials, and unique imperfections that come with allowing nature to take its course without interruption or interference from human hands. Lose yourself in unrefined living furniture and browse the full HORNE collection.
We offer free shipping on order of $75 or more, have a sale section, and feature Quick Ship items that ship within 1-3 days!
