SCRAP WOOD REBORN AS BEAUTIFUL VESSELS & FURNITURE

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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Read more about Beautiful Craft in Handcrafted Slow Fashion to Love Forever and The Landfill Harmonic Turns Trash Into Beautiful Music.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked” vessels, by Richard Haining.
2. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Oak Sphere with Large Dimple.”
3. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Plywood Vessels.”
4. Image: 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.
5. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Oak Sphere, ‘Cracked.’”
6. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Cabinet.”
7. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Holt Coffee Table.”
8. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Walnut Torpedo.”
9. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked” is directly influenced by the over-abundance of waste and scrap wood being discarded around Haining.
10. Image: by BN App - Download now!
11. Image: Courtesy of Richard Haining. “Stacked Mahogany Rimmed Vessel, with Stepped Lip.”