DESIGN + LIFESTYLE This collection of information captures most of the projects created in this studio, including press and accolades.
ME LANIE ABRANTES DES IGNS OAKLAND , C ALIFORNIA
THE ART OF MAKING : MELANIE ABRANTES
MELANIE IN HER OAKLAND, CA STUDIO
Creative Director, Maker and Founder Oakland, California
Me l a n i e Ab ra n tes is the c reativ e behind Melanie A b rantes Desig ns. U sing the techniq u e of w oo d tu r n i n g , M elanie c reates v as es , p lanters, and everyd ay item s in her wood shop . U sin g s u s ta i n a b l e a n d lo c al materials her desig ns are m ad e to celeb rate the sim p licity of e ve r yda y l i vi ng . F e a tu re d in C o untry Liv ing’s to p 100 creatives in 2018, Melanie is at the f orefron t of cre a ti n g s u sta i nable and inno v ativ e desig ns in her ind ustry. She is the author of the D I Y book, C a rv e A S i m p l e Guide to Whittling, pub lished in 2017. Since starting her b usiness in 2 0 1 3 , sh e h as b e e n f e a tu red in Do mino , Dwell, B on A p p etit and m ore. Her work can b e f ound in sh ops an d re ta i l s to res natio nwide and abro ad .
WE ARE DEDICATED TO HANDMADE Melanie designs, makes and creates all of the work that she showcases. Believes that in order to create something beautiful, you have to get your hands dirty
OUR COLLECTIONS Made with love for the home
Mel an i e Abr an t es De s i g n s o ff e rs va s e s , p l a n te rs , a n d ever yday i t em s for yo u r h o me . M a d e wi t h l o ve i n h e r Oakl an d
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ever yday l i fe . ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE RICCARDI, STYLING BY GENEVIEVE BANDROWSKI
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PRESS + ACCOLADES
Mel an i e Abr an t es Des i g n s i s f o rtu n a te to h a ve re ce i ve d recogni t i on , press, a n d a cco l a d e s f ro m ma n y f o re f ro n t an d l e ad i ng m agaz i n e s i n t h e n a t i o n . S i n ce s ta rt i n g h e r bu si n e ss i n 2 0 1 3 she h a s b e e n f e a tu re d i n Domi n o, Dwe l l, Bon Appe t i t , Mar t ha S t e wa r t , C ou n t r y L i vi n g , t h e S a n Fr anci sco Chron i cl e , a n d mo re .
ELLE NETHERLANDS Featured in Elle Netherlands with an exclusive interview.
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These beautiful design vases are made from recycled material Designer Melanie Abrantes: "every vase is a unique and original work of art that comes from my research into sustainability." BY RENÉE PRENGER
16/05/2019
MELANIE ABRANTES
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ow that the effects of climate change are becoming clearer - for example, the warm temperatures in February and the hot summer of last year - more and more designers are taking sustainable design into account . For example, by using sustainable materials or by thinking intensively about the recycling process. The American designer Melanie Abrantes also puts sustainability first in the
products she designs - her vases are made from recycled material . We email this sustainable entrepreneur about her designs.
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How did you come up with the idea of making vases from recycled material? 'As a designer who believes sustainability is important, I wanted to make products from materials that remained ADVERTISING from my other designs, such as cork and wood. I combine them with glass vases that I have found in thrift stores. '
Why do you think sustainable design is so important? 'I believe that design can be beautiful and can be made from responsible sustainable materials and methods. We only have one earth and it is important to treat our natural resources with respect. " Every vase is unique, how does the production process work? 'Every piece of material from my vases comes from leftovers from my timber store. The cork and the wood are laminated together and sculpted on a wood lathe to fit the glass vase. The result is that each vase is a unique and original work of art that originated from my research into sustainability. "
COUNTRY LIVING MAGAZINE Melanie Abrantes Designs was named “Top 100 Creatives of the Country” by Country Living Magazine in 2018.
DEZEEN Dezeen Magazine featured Melanie Abrantes Designs in 2019, showcasing the new Califor nia Moder n collection.
Melanie Abrantes turns material scraps into Modern California homeware collection Melanie Abrantes turns material scraps into Modern California homeware collection
FEATURED MAGAZINES
COMMISSIONED + CUSTOM PIECES
Mel an i e
Abr ant e s
De s i g n s
has
wo rk e d
wi t h
s e ve ra l
d i ffe re n t com pan i e s a n d b u s i n e s s e s to s h o wca s e h e r wor k. She has al so cu ra te d g ro u p s h o ws t h ro u g h o u t t h e US and abroad t h at b ri n g to g e t h e r h e r l o ve o f d e s i g n a n d creat i n g com muni t y. S i n ce s ta rt i n g h e r b u s i n e s s s h e h a s col l abor at ed wi t h We s t El m, JO IN De s i g n , S ch o o l h o u s e El ect r i c, Of a Ki nd, Wa n te d De s i g n , a n d mo re .
CORK + CHERRY TEA CANISTERS We designed custom cork and cherry hardwood tea canisters for the vegan restaurant Seed + Salt in San Francisco in 2015.
CUSTO M L IG H T IN G
Walnu t, an d Walnut a nd Co rk l i ght f i x tures
CO R K STO O L S
Walnu t an d Natura l Co rk Sto o l
CO R K STO O L S
Tall Natu ral Cork Sto o l
MARBLE CORK STOOL We created a custom marble cork stool/ table for the group show + PLUS Sitting at the Vancouver Design Fair.
OF A KI N D : CO R K VA SES
Our f irst c ustom c o l l a bo ra ti o n wa s wi th O f A K i n d i n N Y C . T h e y w a n t e d c or k v a s e s t h a t w e re b ot h f u n a n d vi br an t an d would appea l to thei r mi l l enni a l a udi enc e . M e l a n i e c re a t e d a s e t of m i n i c or k v a s e s t h a t c a m e w i t h g l ass vi al s fo r f resh f lowe rs .
SCHOOL HOUSE ELECTRIC WALNUT + CORK SALT BOWLS We worked and collaborated with SHE to create custom salt bowls made out of walnut hardwood and charcoal cork.
S I GHT UN SEEN O FFSIT E 2016
Mela ni e c o l l a bo ra ted wi th J O I N De s i g n t o c u r a t e t h e s h o w R E F L E C T S i g h t u n s e e n Off s i t e in 20 16 f o r N ew Yo rk D es i gn Week . Re f l e c t i s a c u r a t i on o f o b j e c t s f rom 1 6 s t u d i os a c ros s the U ni ted Sta tes . Thes e des i gns ce n t e r a ro u n d a c om m on t h e m e , s i z e re s t r i c t i on , a n d sin gl e m a teri a l us e. R a ngi ng f ro m s p i r i t u a l a n d m e d i t a t i v e t o v i s u a l l y e x p re s s i v e , t h i s c ollec ti o n o f o ne- o f - a - k i nd o bj ec ts d r a w b o t h p a r a l l e l s a n d c on t r a s t s w i t h i n t h e t h e m e of Ref le c t.
MIRROR Encapsulating the literal meaning of reflection, as well as the emotional response one has to seeing their gaze reflected back at them. This hand mirror creates a dialogue between attempts at an outward image and the inherent lack of control in how the outside world perceives you.
IC FF 2017
Melan ie c o l l a bo ra ted wi th J O I N D es i gn t o c u r a t e t h e s h o w M A KE U S E a t IC F F i n 2 0 1 7 f or N e w Yor k De si gn We ek . Mak e U s e i s a c o l l ec ti o n o f o bj ec t s f o r t h e h om e f rom 1 4 We s t C oa s t - b a s e d s t u d i os t h a t c e l e br at e the marriag e o f m a teri a l i ty a nd pro c es s , c r a f t a n d p u r p os e , f or m a n d f u n c t i on . T h i s c u r a t e d s h o w h i gh l i gh t s the independent des i gn c o mmuni ty ; enc o u r a g i n g e x p e r i m e n t a t i on , b l u r r i n g o f b o u n d a r i e s a n d s u p por t i n g e me rging c rea ti v e ta l ent. Thi s s el ec ti o n of ob j e c t s s h o w c a s e t h e r a w h o n e s t y, s i m p l e s t r a i g h t f o r w a rdn e ss, an d beau ty i n uti l i ty a s s o c i a ted wi th We s t C oa s t C r a f t s m a n s h i p .
BIRD FEEDER Hand-tur ned charcoal cork for ms a pleasing and symmetric hanging bird feeder that perfectly utilizes a lightweight yet sturdy material, to create an eleg ant and functional outdoor object.
TORONTO D ESIG N W EEK 2018
Me lanie c olla bo ra ted wi th Wa nted D es i gn t o c u r a t e t h e s h o w Ou t s i d e t h e b ox f o r To ro n t o D e s i g n We ek. Ou tside the B o x f ea tured 11 c i ti es s pa nni n g f rom L o s A n g e l e s t o H a l i f a x , e a c h c i t y w a s re p re s e n t e d b y on e c u rator who ha d the ex c i ti ng res po ns i b i l i t y of c h oos i n g t h o u g h t f u l l y d e s i g n e d o b j e c t s t h a t re f l e c t t h e partic u lar res o urc es a nd m a k ers o f thei r a re a .
PARIS DESIGN WEEK 2018 We debuted the Marais Vases at Paris Design week in 2018 at the 1000 Vase show.
CARVING WORKSHOPS AND BOOK
Mel an i e Abr an t es De s i g n s te a ch e s ca rvi n g wo rk s h o p s a l l ove r t he USA an d ab ro a d . S h e h a s a l s o wri t te n t h e DIY book Car ve A S i mpl e G u i d e t o Wh i t t l i n g p u b l i s h e d i n 2 0 1 7 by Cl ar kson and Pot t e r. M e l a n i e e n j o ys te a ch i n g s tu d e n ts t he ar t of woodcar vi n g a n d h a s ta u g h t f o r o ve r 5 ye a rs .
SPOON CARVING WORKSHOPS Melanie teaches spoon carving workshops in her Oakland studio. She teaches students the art of woodcarving using traditional Japanese tools. Find out more about her classes on her website. melanieabrantes.com
CA RV E A S I M P L E G U ID E TO W H IT T L IN G
Wh i t t l e a b ea ut i f u l s p o o n , c o m b , p a i r o f d ice, a nd more w it h t his f resh introduct ion to a f ol ks y craft. Ca r v e mod erni z e s a m i n d f u l h o b b y t h a t p e ople ha ve turned to f or genera t ions to help t hem slow down, re l a x , and c onn e c t wi t h t h e o u t d o o r s . C hoose f rom a doz en projects w it h bespoke deta ils , al l are desi g ned to b e u s e f u l a t h o m e o r wh i l e c a mping. And beca use t hese objects a re sma l l, t hey require only a f ew hours and a t o o l o r t wo t o c o m p l e te. You’l l a lso lea rn how to choose t he right knif e a nd wood, hel p f ul i nf orma t i o n o n t e c h n i q u e s a n d s a f ety, a nd t ips f or ref ining, persona l iz ing a nd ma inta ining y our pi ec e. Whet her y o u ’re h e a d e d t o t h e wo o ds or just to t he porch, t his pocket-siz ed guide w il l hav e y ou carv i ng y our own u n i q u e d e s i g n s i n n o t i me.
MELANIE ABRANTES DESIGNS Melanie Abrantes Designs is a Bay Area-based producer of handcrafted, heirloom objects. Founder Melanie Abrantes believes that in order to create something beautiful, you have to get your hands dirty. She founded her company in 2013 when she realized there was a growing American market for handmade goods. Working with a variety of unique materials, Melanie strives to create products of the highest quality that are equally beautiful and functional. Through the technique of lathing, she turns simple pieces of solid wood and cork into one-of-a-kind bowls, plates, cups and stands. Her passion for woodworking originates from the simple fact that every piece is unique as the material it is made from. Time in the studio is dedicated to researching, testing and adapting the product to its user, resulting in a simple, yet unique object of the highest quality. Moving forward, Melanie plans to broaden her line to include furniture and lighting, maintaining her dedication to handmade.
T H A N K YO U To contact us for collaborations please email hello@melanieabrantes.com MELANIE ABRANTES DESIGNS 155 filbert Street Ste 102 Oakland, CA 94607 USA @melanieabrantesdesigns www.melanieabrantes.com +713-401-7497 ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE RICCARDI, STYLING BY GENEVIEVE BANDROWSKI
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