Impact

SCRAP LAYERS AS REBORN BEAUTIES

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked” vessels, by Richard Haining.

RICHARD HAINING

For Richard Haining, there’s beauty in the defects. The Brooklyn-based studio furniture maker and artist was inspired to create “Stacked,” a stunning collection of one-of-a-kind vessels and furniture, crafted from reclaimed wood, after witnessing the incredible amount of waste and scrap wood being discarded all around New York City.

Haining embraces the knots, old nail holes, mineral stains, and nature-made imperfections in wood that has been reclaimed from building demolitions — including decommissioned water towers—and gives it a second life in the form of gorgeous housewares.

To create his pieces, the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) alumnus first mills down the scrap wood, cuts it into small blocks, carefully glues and stacks each piece, then begins to cut down and refine the overall shape of the stack.

Stacked Oak Sphere with Large Dimple, handmade craft by Richard Haining.

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Oak Sphere with Large Dimple.”

Rather than turn the vessels on a lathe, Haining takes pride in shaping the exterior using handheld tools, resulting in a finely crafted honed finish with slight undulations that mimic the effect of hand-built ceramics.

Haining’s simple and classical forms are influenced by African, Native American, and ancient Grecian cultures, as well as the American mid-century modern period.

Stacked Plywood Vessels, handmade craft by Richard Haining.

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Plywood Vessels.”

A true celebration of nature and all of its beauty, “Stacked” pieces are made with reclaimed oak, maple, chestnut, ash, redwood, walnut, birch, pine, cedar, mahogany, cherry, plywood and other fine woods.

Various stacked wooden vessels, handmade craft by Richard Haining.

Courtesy of Richard Haining. The simple and classical forms of “Stacked” are inspired by a variety of cultures including African, Native American and Ancient Grecian.

Though each piece is unique in size, shape and color, ranging from deep red, to dark brown and light tan, the entire collection has an intricately detailed, tile-like appearance similar to that of mosaics or woven baskets.

Stacked Oak Sphere vessel with crack, handmade craft by Richard Haining.

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Oak Sphere, ‘Cracked.’”

Recycled wood Stacked Cabinet, handmade craft by Richard Haining

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Cabinet.”

The vessels have silky smooth curves and a custom finish, while the “Stacked Cabinet” and “Stacked Sideboard” feature jagged exteriors, with terraced contours.

From his studio in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Haining custom tailors each piece to suit the needs of his clients, including designers, trade professionals and collectors.

Reclaimed wood and glass Coffee Table, handcrafted by Richard Haining

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Holt Coffee Table.”

To inquire about custom work or to purchase a vessel or piece of furniture from Haining’s collection, visit his website.

What beautiful crafts have you discovered or created? Share them with us! We’ll share our favorites with the BN Community!

Stacked Walnut Torpedo vessels, handcrafted from reclaimed wood, by Richard Haining

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Walnut Torpedo.”

Read more about Beautiful Layers all this week on BeautifulNow, including Time Travel Via Layered Cities: Vhils and Beautiful Layers: Dustin Yellin Psychogeography. And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Wellness, Impact, Nature/Science, Food, Arts/Design, and Travel, Daily Fix posts.

A collection of Stacked reclaimed wooden vessels, handcrafted by Richard Haining.

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked” is directly influenced by the over-abundance of waste and scrap wood being discarded around Haining.

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Wooden Stacked Mahogany Rimmed Vessel, craft by Richard Haining

Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Mahogany Rimmed Vessel, with Stepped Lip.”