American pastoral

New York studio Roman & Williams has a dedication to nature and artisanal skill that should place it on UK design lovers’ radar

Lastyearwasmulti-award-winning, New York-based architecture and design studio Roman & Williams’ landmark 20th anniversary. But, here in the UK, it’s a name that still flies relatively under the radar – despite it having worked on the interior of London’s first NoMad hotel. That may be soon to change with the release of a series of new furniture collections. Made to order, each piece shows signs of the signature love of storytelling and devotion to eclecticism favoured by the brand’s founders, artist Robin Standefer and architect Stephen Alesch (pictured).

The sculptural ‘Ovo’ chair and table – inspired by the ovate leaf form – features a beautifully exposed central spine and has been crafted in a variety of sustainable timbers and finishes. The customisable ‘Dado’ bench and desk in oak, meanwhile, focus on a hand-tooled joint-and-groove construction, taking its design cues from early Swedish furniture. Then there’s ‘Seed’ and ‘Branch’, which form part of a limited-edition series of lighting. Cast in bronze and hand-blown glass, they are made using a traditional technique favoured by sculptors Giacometti and Rodin, known as ‘lost wax,’ where thumb marks in the moulds are revealed in the finished product.

Known for designing the homes of Hollywood A-listers including Gywneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller and Kate Hudson, as well as high-end hotels, restaurants, bars and cultural institutions, Standefer and Alesch, who met working in movie-set art departments in the early 1990s, are devoted to the historical research of traditional craftsmanship and natural materials. The results are quietly and authentically luxe.

‘I want the world to care about craft and natural materials,’ says Standefer. ‘Our furniture is highly detailed, but our underlying philosophy is about nature. “Dada” is a system for living and a celebration of joinery – you can see the beauty in its simple construction,’ Alesch agrees. ‘The “Ovo” chair, for example, is a relatively simple form but to get the touch and feel of it took two years of prototyping. That really matters to us.’ romanandwilliams.com

The pair are devoted to the historical research of traditional craftsmanship

From left ‘Seed’ pendant light, £11,754, ‘Ovo’ dining chairs, £4,144 each, and ‘Dado’ table, from £8,691, all Roman & Williams

From left ‘Oscar’ sconce, £5,718; inside the Roman & Williams design of London’s NoMad hotel