Enchanted by nature's materials

Our connection with the planet’s natural materials goes back to the beginning. We were working with stone two and a half million years ago, and making wooden implements four hundred thousand years ago. Ours is a symbiotic relationship. It’s why we’re enchanted by stone and timber buildings, and describe interiors with wood, stone, copper, iron and bronze as rich, warm, inviting and soulful. We live together and age together, they are a comfort and a companion, and grow more fascinating and beautiful with time.

I realise most modern day purchases fulfil a need, but I find it hard to accept that the near one trillion dollar a year global home decor industry sells us something else. Ninety percent of goods marketed are synthetic or composite, usually with an appealing or fashionable facade, have an average replacement cycle of 2-10 years and the majority is sent to landfill.

Whether it’s policy making, manufacturing, sourcing or consuming, we’re all responsible for positively affecting these statistics in whatever way we can. Across all industries.

Here are some photos of pieces made in solid natural materials that have resisted fashions and use, brought purpose and joy, and become more beautiful and valuable with age.

Visit our finish library to see how these surfaces have inspired our finishes.