We’ve seen string used in design for a while now, though our interest was piqued earlier this year from the showings at both the Milan Furniture fair and ICFF. The woven trend, exemplified in these furniture examples, incorporates string and modern uses of embroidery with traditional weaving techniques. The results are an interesting homage to a time honored craft reminding us of all things cozy – warm sweaters and bulky blankets in a world where life feels more often chaotic.

Donna Wilson has teamed up with furniture company Ercol to create her one-off wound and wrapped pieces, contrasting the hard wood with the softness and comfort of the wool. Susanne Westphal’s two chairs – Stitch and Wooly – are a part of her final graduate project “The Discovery of Slowness” at the University of Art and Design Burg Gibiechenstein. Both pieces invite the sitter to take part in the chair’s creation by unraveling the yarn from “Wooly” and feeding it through the holes of “Stitch,” thus creating a unique design. This whole process forces the sitter to slow down, unwind and de-accelerate from their hectic life and observe how each chair becomes more comfortable and attractive with time and attention.

Imagery via All the Mountains & Design Milk.

Coverage by: Emily Gup