A lot of people ask us about where we get our beautiful slabs of wood, and the answer really is all around. At JOHNHOUSHMAND we don’t harvest wood for our furniture but instead utilize trees that have been felled or damaged by storms, need to be cut down due to safety or otherwise. Hobart, New York really has become John Houshmand’s home and so he is on a first name basis with numerous members of the Catskill community who let him know if they know of any trees that need to be removed.
It’s inspiring to see every part of the process from helping out another in the community, to having some fun climbing the trees, to starting to the create the custom-made furniture that we love to produce.
As a followup to our last post on the W Hotel in Hoboken, we thought we’d share another piece JOHNHOUSHMAND created for the W Hotel New York Lexington Avenue. This pair of Extinct Old Growth Heart Pine Low Benches were constructed for the Extreme Wow Penthouse Suite terrace. These old growth heart pine timbers were reclaimed from renovated New York City buildings, saving this precious wood from being carelessly discarded. They now live a continued life as gorgeously minimalistic benches atop Lexington Avenue.
(photo from W Hotel New York)
Not only are these bespoke benches perfect for the out-of-doors, but also compliment indoor decor beautifully. The inherent history within these timbers lends character and meaning to their surface. Perfect for entryways, hallways, living rooms, or even at the foot of a bed, these benches will add charm and history to any part of your space.
“Speaking of great places on Planet Earth, I just spent a night at the Cooper Square Hotel, the masterwork of my dear friend Klaus Ortlieb. The entire experience was a delight and I urge you to check it out. Great architecture, amazing interior design, wonderful service, a New York City hospitality treat. And of course our monumental benches made from recycled timbers and selectively harvested trees. Visual caviar….” -John Houshmand
