April 11, 2016
Rockwell Reveals First Furniture Collection at Milan
Rockwell Group has designed a “fluid” 14-piece furniture collection, Valet, set to debut at the Salone del Mobile 2016.
Pieces in Rockwell Group’s new Valet collection for Stellar Works have special details—in the chair it’s the leather cord on the arms, and for the bench it is the generous magazine slot made of full-grain saddle leather.
Photography courtesy Stellar Works x Rockwell Group
Over the years, Rockwell Group has designed a series of successful one-offs, but its first dedicated 14-piece furniture collection, Valet, developed in collaboration with Hong Kong manufacturer Stellar Works, is set to debut at the Salone del Mobile 2016 in Milan.
“We looked at the typical home and the way it has evolved, and saw a consistent move toward fewer rooms and an increased sense of fluidity,” says founder and president David Rockwell. “I think people want fewer objects and more experiences. Less hardware, more software.”
But how does this translate into a furniture collection? “There are still many pieces that are hard to find,” explains Rockwell, “particularly pieces that have more than one function and exist in transitional spaces such as hallways and entry halls.” Out of this difficulty—Rockwell cites his own troubles in finding the perfect standing mirror or bar cart (both of which have been developed as part of Valet)—came the idea of creating sturdy but movable pieces, from a walnut bench with a cutout on one side to accommodate a leather storage sling to a selection of versatile leather-and-brass chairs that feel equally at home in residential and hospitality spaces. “By having a cluster of objects that can work in multiple combinations, furniture can help create multiple worlds within one space,” says Rockwell.
Stellar Works’ dedication to craftsmanship helped realize an aesthetic of clean lines derived from Carlo Scarpa and stiff leather inspired by American mailbags. “We’ve worked with Stellar Works on various hospitality projects,” says Rockwell. “Their attentiveness to fine details is what allowed us to create beautiful furniture at reasonable prices.”
The love seat (above) and lounge chair (below) from the Valet collection share features like the black tubular steel frames.
Matte brass hardware is thoughtfully used in the rest of the collection, as seen in the standing mirror with shoe holder and the bench.
