Like with fashion, what was old in corporate furniture seems to be new again.
If we look back in our memories and project archives, we see our start in the 1970s in solid wood and then veneer in recent decades. For a time, mahogany and cherry were the rage. Then it was anigre and English sycamore. And most recently it has been walnut and white oak.
These are generalizations, of course. Many other veneers have also been used over time and are still used today, as are other materials from leather in our earlier decades to lots of white and gray glass, stone and solid surfacing today.
As 2019 is upon us, however, we can’t help but notice that, like mom jeans and halter tops, solid wood is making an appearance again as corporate furniture begins to take on more of a resomercial (residential/commercial) look.
We have all seen the articles. Work spaces are getting more comfortable, and natural, to attract and retain young talent.
And while we know solid wood won’t be taking over corporate interiors, we can’t help getting a little excited about standout solid wood accent pieces incorporated into design.
We say standout because unlike fashion that often mimics past design, what shape that solid wood will take is even more exciting. In furniture, traditional materials don’t always mean traditional design. Instead, solid wood furnishings will no doubt continue to push the envelope on open spans, technology integration and interesting base design while also providing users the integrity and beauty of a natural material.
