Simple Sophistication – Furniture by John Eric Byers
John Eric Byers exhibits ‘beauty in simplicity’ stunningly in his range of wooden furniture. This Oregon-based designer and craftsman specialises in creating sophisticated, geometrically-inspired furniture for interior spaces. Every piece in the range is painted in either black or white to complement the simplified lines and forms, and to bring a slight edge to the range.
Characterised by patterned surfaces, repetition, clean lines, and simplified forms, Byers uses the circle, cylinder and rectangular forms in-particular to build solid works that exude a modern feel. As you look closer you can see the individual characteristics scattering the surface which make each piece unique.
Byers’ range is made of wood from ash, poplar and cherry trees and he often uses a version of hollow-core stack laminate to “build” the furniture. As a result, the pieces are actually quite light, although they may seem bulky and heavy from appearance alone. Working with wood is a passion of Byers and he believes that beauty not only lies in the material itself but also in the process of working with it. Therefore, Byers’ uses a specific technique, a mix of hand gouges and power carving tools, paying careful attention to detail with each piece.
The subtly patterned finishes and black colour used make this range ideal for larger, open spaces. It will most definitely form the centrepiece and bring that individual element to any space.
Byers is seen as a leading American artist working in wood and browsing his range it’s evident why; His unique designs, skill and attention to detail are exceptional. His permanent collections can be seen at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Museum of Arts and Design in NYC. Byers has also been presented with numerous awards including the prestigious Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation Award and two New York Foundation of the Arts Awards. View more from his collection via his portfolio linked below.