Using reclaimed materials, Claire Danthois creates beautiful one-off pieces of furniture which speak evocatively of their former lives as doors, ladders and other bits of salvage. Highly tactile and visually stunning, the chairs, stools and tables make the most of the quirks and eccentricities of old wood, with curves, imperfections and layers of paint exposed and celebrated – even a brass letter box gets a second chance as a funky central feature to a chair.
This is design as a campaigning force for a sustainable lifestyle, creating items which are not only beautiful and highly functional, but also speak loudly and clearly about the need to reuse old materials which are by no means ready for landfill. The pieces are tough, chunky and make a bold statement about valuing the past whilst protecting our futures.
Working on a commission basis, Claire will also make you a bespoke item made out of your own reclaimed wood – reducing the cost and potentially giving some treasured item a new lease of life.
I love this. I find Claire's designs highly resonant, with an emotional quality that comes from a respect for tradition combined with her capacity for bold, modern design. If you're looking for a statement item which demonstrates your own commitment to recycling and reusing, look no further.
Sophy Colbert
[...] love to see a collaboration between the Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project and Claire Danthois. I'm sure she'd find inspiration amongst the reclaimed groynes, doors and [...]
Great posts! I really like it.