Benches in Forged Steel and Glass Mosaic

In addition to the forged steel and mosaic collaborative tabletop and wall sculptures we make together, we also love collaborating to create furniture and other functional pieces.

This first bench features a forged steel base, a stretcher with brightly colored mosaic inlay, and an ash seat.

Johannah also designed a mosaic mirror in similar colors to coordinate with this bench. We think they’d look great paired together in an entryway or bedroom, or any nook that could use a seat and a splash of color.

(And psst, these two pieces are available. Reach out for more information!)

The next two benches were created for a client who needed one bench to use at their dining table, and another to go outside.

For a commission like this, Kyle will often create a quick sheet of thumbnail ideas. Once the client narrows their preference down to two to four favorites, he’ll make more detailed drawings.

When it came time for Johannah to make the mosaics, we had to get creative in finding ways to support the benches so the steel pans Kyle creates for the mosaics would lay relatively flat.

Sun and Moon Bench

The Sun and Moon Bench was designed to be installed and used outside, with a weather-resistant base of forged stainless steel and a cypress wood seat.

Large Bench with Mosaic Medallions

Custom Steel and Mosaic Creations

The more we put our forged steel and mosaic work together, the more new ideas occur to us and our clients for ways to collaborate. It’s such an exciting and satisfying journey!

We created this first table to show off the client’s collection of glaze sample ceramic tiles handmade by her mother.

The tiles came in a variety of colors and thicknesses. The fun challenge was to create a pleasing pattern of color AND as smooth a surface as possible. We were impressed in the end that Johannah was able to create a relatively even surface.

This client is local and was able to visit our studios to see examples of other tables Kyle has created. This helps a lot in visualizing the final product. Together, Kyle and the client designed a base that fit their taste as well as the space the client had in mind for the table.

This next one is a collaborative piece we designed and made for ourselves!

We needed a single step from the gallery floor up to the door to the next room. Kyle forged a small railing with circular shapes for Johannah to fill in with mosaic. For the pure fun of it, she decided to go with dark pink and gold with a green flat marble at the center. Kyle also made the wooden step in hickory to coordinate with the flooring in the gallery.

We created this last table for a couple celebrating an important wedding anniversary.

Kyle and the client designed the table to fit their entryway hall. The colors in the mosaic were inspired by other nearby artwork. Our friend Christina Boy made the walnut top.

Gear Table, Take 2

Here’s a hefty gear-inspired table modeled after the original Kyle designed and built for a hotel a few years back. Measuring 5 feet in diameter and 33 inches tall, this custom table weighs in at nearly 400 pounds.

This client for this particular table is a car enthusiast with a home on the Great Lakes. Once he created the table, Kyle built scaffolding to support the top for delivery and hit the road. Here’s a quick video showing the table packed for delivery and landing at it’s new home.