A new band of Brazilian designers are reviving the traditional woodworking skills that made the country synonymous with high quality craftsmanship in the first half of the last century. In an age of mass production, this growing generation is working by hand, with skills learned carefully over years of diligent practice. In our October issue, we profiled some of the most exciting names in the industry. Here, we take a look inside their studios and see more of their work.
One designer leading the way is Rio-based Rodrigo Calixto, who founded his atelier Oficina Ethos five years ago. Calixto enjoys a growing reputation for his meticulously handcrafted tables, sideboards and stools, and is gaining an online following for a series of videos that demonstrate his craftsmanship. Watch the making of his wooden mosaic and 'Lotus' stools.
The ’Jake’ stool by Mendes-Hirth
The ’Mariante’ chair by Rio design house Mendes-Hirth
The ’Mäder’ chair by Mendes-Hirth
The ’Santos=Dumont’ chair by Mendes-Hirth
The Mendes-Hirth seal
Ricardo Graham Ferreira with his ’Trovador’ design
Table and cabinet by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Table design by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Furniture by Ricardo Graham Ferreira
Plant stand by Rodrigo Calixto, 2007
‘Lotus’ stools by Rodrigo Calixto, 2009
The ’Ethos’ coffee table by Rodrigo Calixto, 2003
The ’Ethos’ features designs from illustrator Mateu Velasco, 2003
The ’Mesa de centro ethos’ design with sliding drafts-board by Rodrigo Calixto, 2003
The draft pieces are housed in cylinders underneath the table, by Rodrigo Calixto
’Painel Freqûencia’ by Rodrigo Calixto, 2007
Detailing of ’Painel Freqûencia’ by Rodrigo Calixto
’Painel Xilopixel’ wooden mosaic artwork by Rodrigo Calixto, 2008
The join on the ’Straight’ table design by Julia Krantz shows the contrast in wood shades
Design by Julia Krantz
Stool design by Julia Krantz
The ’Straight’ table by Julia Krantz is made from Cumaru and Sucupira wood
Lattoog designer Leonardo Lattavo with the ’Pantosh’ chair
The ’Pantosh’ chair is part of the ’Fusion’ series
The ’Pantosh’ chair is inspired by the work of Verner Panton and Charles Rennie Mackintosh
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