Teroforma

Our friend Jenn Clapp is a bit of a tableware nut. So much so, we enlisted her help when we first began developing the idea for Teroforma. Now an interior designer with a leading Boston architectural firm, we suspect she has thoughts about the perfect decanters and linens more often than she admits. This photo was submitted by Jenn in the spirit of longer days, warmer nights and summer color.

This image was taken by Trey Ratcliff in the Chinese area of Malacca along the southern coast of Malaysia using HDR – a photography technique which, as he mentions, is a method by which an image or a series of images are manipulated in post-processing to do things that are virtually impossible with a single aperture and shutter speed. The image highlights a wonderful contrast between the simplicity of the family gathering together to eat dinner and the vivid color and apparent motion of the surroundings. To see the rest of Trey’s fantastic HDR work and to learn a bit more about the technique itself, we highly recommend visiting his website – stuckincustoms.com

After a few years of trotting around the world in search of artisans and designers in far-flung locales with whom to work on our projects, we felt it was time to look a little bit closer to home for our new introductions for Spring/Summer 2009. Each and every new item we have developed this season is made right here in the US. All the products will be available for sale on the website in the end of April – but feel free to order in advance on the website starting next week. Let us know what you think.

Loft Table Tools
Made from Fallen Pennsylvania Hardwoods
The Loft Series represents traditional craftsmanship presented in a modern idiom, using local materials and local expertise. Each piece was designed by Norwegian designer Thea Mehl and hand-carved from fallen hard woods using traditional methods by master woodworker Bill Baumgartel at Blueberry Hill Treenware in Pennsylvania. The series comprises two sets: a Condiment Set – jam spoon, chutney fork, spreader; and an Hors d’Oeuvres Set – pâté paddle, cheese knife. The specific hardwood type can vary from set to set depending on local availability.

Avva Serving Boards
Made from Conscientiously-sourced New England Beech
The Avva serving boards continue the core theme of complementary angles consistent with our entire Avva range. For this project, we did the design work in-house – it had been something Anna, Thea and I have been discussing for a long time and we knew just how we wanted it to look. Working together with Klaas Armster of Armster Lumber and Ken Fields of Breakfast Woodworks – both right here in Connecticut. All of the wood is taken from either CT or MA and has not been cut down for our purposes, but rather salvaged or otherwise reclaimed. Seemed kind of like common sense to us.

Tarn Coasters, Trivets & Mats
Made from Merino Wool Felt
Having recently returned home to Oslo from a seven year stint in London, Tarn designer Thea Mehl likes being close to friends and family but admits that the weather in Norway could be better. Turning negative into positive, Thea drew inspiration for the irregular shape of the Tarn series from a small cluster of puddles that collected outside her Oslo studio after an autumn rainstorm. Made from 100% Merino wool felt by Aetna Felt in Allentown, PA, each item is offered in a choice of 3 colors: light gray, dark green or deep blue.

If Teroforma were a highly sophisticated yet wonderfully accessible on-line fashion/design publisher, we like to think we might look a bit like Vancouver-based h(y)r collective. What started as conversation about our whisky stones turned into a discussion with Owen Parrot – one of h(y)r’s editors – and a recently published interview with Anna and me about Teroforma and it’s mission. We thought you might enjoy the read. And we know you’ll enjoy their fantastic site!