The Ripped Wood Collection

Exploring the organic expression of solid wood, this furniture collection presents the natural material in a new light.

Expanding his signature “Ripped” series that come to life through a custom technique, Eindhoven-based designer Willem Van Hooff has introduced the Ripped Wood collection. Following on the footsteps of his Ripped Metal and Ripped Ceramics series, this range casts an ordinary material in a whole new light. In this case, it accentuates the character and raw beauty of natural wood. Working with locally sourced wood taken from fallen Catalpa trees, the designer created an exceptionally organic and distinctive furniture collection.

Using the act of “ripping” as the base for the design process, Willem Van Hooff worked with a chisel to shape the furniture. The designer followed the bark lines for every piece of wood, keeping the rough edges intact and making each product truly one of a kind. Shaped according to the hardwood’s grain patterns and organic lines, the designs combine clean minimalist forms with the fascinating textures, color variations, and irregularities of timber.

The Ripped Wood collection comprises a lounge chair, a coffee table, a side table, a console, a cabinet, and columns. While sharing the same signature aesthetic, every piece of furniture has a distinct individuality thanks to the characteristics of the different pieces of wood. Some feature a more pronounced grain or dynamic forms; others incorporate slender tree branches in their design. Regardless of function or shape, every product from this collection is a love letter to nature’s raw beauty. Photographs© Ronald Smits.