Find out how creatives are turning the design world’s trash into treasure
Offcuts are inspiring top designers, who are transforming surplus or discarded materials into furniture, lighting and more
In the collective effort to achieve a circular future, designers are tapping into a section of the production process often overlooked: waste streams. It is here, in the remnants, that they find fertile ground for new ideas. Offcuts can come in the form of textile scraps, unused chunks of marble, pieces of wood left behind or even fragments of metal. Sometimes they’re the result of breakages during manufacturing, or they might be rejected due to minor defects. Collaboration is a key pillar of this trend, as designers often rely on manufacturers to supply excess materials. Intercepting industrial-waste streams directly is another route to finding leftovers. Read on for our selection of the best new deisgns…
‘Scrap’ chairs, Rover
Belgian atelier Rover’s ‘Scrap’ chairs have a frame made from rebar waste generated by a construction company, which you wouldn’t know by looking at the brightly coloured pieces. Meanwhile, the seat is offcuts of metal washers. Ingenious. Approx £340 each, roverproject.be
‘Jogak’ lights, Studio Booboon
The ‘Jogak’ lighting series takes its name from jogakbo, a style of traditional Korean patchwork. Each light is wrapped in translucent scraps of Korean silk called oksa, which allow a seductive, soft light to filter through. From approx £1,380, shopbooboon.com
‘Patchwork’ coffee table, Daniel Gruetter
The ‘Patchwork’ coffee table by Toronto-based woodworker Daniel Gruetter sees slats of salvaged timber come together, forming an interesting visual interplay between the different shades. Everything is then finished with an oil varnish to create a sophisticated look. From approx £5,350, danielgruetter.com
‘Hana-Arashi’ pendant lights, Nendo
Vibrant pieces of Paola Lenti’s outdoor textiles have been melted and welded together to form the chairs and lights in the ‘Hana-Arashi’ range by Japanese multidisciplinary company Nendo. Hang in an entrance hallway to add character instantly. Approx £1,665 each, paolalenti.it
‘MT-01’ shelving unit, Payam Askari
The ‘MT-01’ shelving unit is made from a mix of discarded Calacatta Viola marble and a pale-green epoxy resin. the result is a striking composite material not dissimilar to terrazzo which pops against its industrial-orange shelves. Approx £23,220, omniaworks.it
‘Botticino & Carrara Offcut’ chair, Carsten in der Elst
Designer Carsten in der Elst sourced marble commonly used to make kitchens and bathrooms from Italian quarries for ‘Botticino & Carrara Offcut’, a rugged family of chairs and tables. From approx £4,035 for the chair shown, uppercut.space
‘Tilt 11’ lamps, David Rockwell
David Rockwell’s ‘Tilt 11’ lamp has a base comprised of 100 per cent cork, sourced from waste wine-stoppers. Cork has been at the centre of the brand’s investigations lately, with the team dedicating a whole installation to the material over Milan design week with ‘Casa Cork’. £338, stackabl.shop
‘Rounder’, Loope
Polish company Loope’s furniture collection ‘Rounder’ is made from offcuts gathered from a plastic-fabrication company that makes items such as kayaks and flower pots. The seating selection is our favourite, and comes in a range of neutral hues as well as a mustard yellow. Price on application, studiorygalik.com
‘Tapestry N.4-B’, Lillian Grant for Taroni
Italian weaver Taroni’s silk remnants were cut into ribbons and woven into bespoke rugs by Moroccan rug atelier Casa Amar, using a centuries-old technique. The resulting pieces are all vibrant hues and geometric patterns designed by artist Lillian Grant. £2,700, casaamar.it
The best contemporary paperweights
The best luxury advent calendars for home lovers
How to decorate your home in Cecil Beaton style
What coffee table should you invest in now?