Bordeaux-based designer Maxime Lis creates furniture that stands on a fine line between functional object and work of art. The FBM furniture collection exemplifies this perfectly. Created with a technique developed by the designer, the range discovers a new kind of beauty in solid wood. Transformed through a complicated process that includes carving and burning as well as treating the surface with coconut milk, Maxime Lis brings a new dimension to the natural material.
Sculptural and organic, the undulating forms and accentuated grain patterns combine with darker, slightly muted tones. To enhance the effect further, the designer pairs the wood with smooth white or matte black materials. The powerful presence of the solid wood thus appears contained within the outer shell. As a result, the table, chair, desk and shelf have a distinctive aesthetic, one that also illustrates the creator’s mission, to “highlight materials through minimalism and the brutality of forms.” Handcrafted using artisanal skill and innovative techniques, the furniture blends traditional craftsmanship and creative design. The FBM collection makes its grand entrance later this year at Le B d’Arcachon Hotel, which opens this summer. Photo credits: Studio 300%.