A thoughtful exploration of materiality and of both precise and organic forms in a beautiful collection of furniture and home accessories.
Natasza Grzeskiewicz and Tomás Fernandes of Lisbon-based design studio THER bring a distinct set of skills to their creative partnership. While Natasza is a talented ceramicist, Tomás is an accomplished woodworker. In the Duality of Matter collection, the duo delves into this rapport between their two worlds, of ceramic and wood, through an experimental approach to design. Additionally, the series follows the designers’ “We are what we explore” mantra. The collection comprises both pieces of furniture and home accessories, providing a great solution to infuse spaces with remarkable creativity.
Minimalist but bold in its variety of expressive forms, the Duality of Matter collection comprises stools and chairs made of solid wood, and stools and bowls crafted from clay. The wood furniture boasts clean geometric shapes and clean lines, with some products showcasing the wood’s natural edges, but completed with a perfectly smooth finish. By contrast, the stoneware stools and bowls have distinctly organic silhouettes, resembling soft materials that “slump” or cave in under their weight. And the result? Pieces of furniture and home accessories that explore the concept of duality yet share the same artistic sensibilities and masterful use of material.
As for finishes, some wood objects feature a natural oil or wax finish that preserve the colors and grain textures of timber, while others boast a charred surface created with the Japanese Yakisugi technique. The stoneware stools and bowls boast light or dark colors, but all of them feature the same raw, textured surface. Together, these THER designs paint a beautiful story of duality, synergy, and individuality while exhibiting the designers’ talent and know-how of their preferred materials. Photography © Kamila Solarz.
