Photo of Gazelle Hall Table by Seth Rolland
Helios Sculpture by Seth Rolland
Photo of Oxeye hall table by Seth Rolland
Photo of North beach hall table by Seth Rolland
Photo of Gibraltar bench by Seth Rolland
Photo of Banyan coffee table by Seth Rolland
Photo of Abanico hall table by Seth Rolland
Photo of Cayuga bed by Seth Rolland
Photo of Sprout coffee table by Seth Rolland
Photo of Banyan hall table by Seth Rolland
Photo of Zephyr Barstool by Seth Rolland
Photo of Tango Hall Set by Seth Rolland

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Seth Rolland
Photo of Seth Rolland

Raised by architects, I grew up with Eames, Aalto and Danish furniture and learned early that form follows function. I have been making furniture for over 20 years, first in Taos, New Mexico and now in Port Townsend, WA. During that time my work has evolved to be more sculptural while still retaining all its function. I strive to make furniture that is clean lined, animated, friendly, fun and thought provoking. I enjoy discovering the limits of my materials and finding ways around those. My designs evolve through sketches, models and mockups to ensure that the curves and proportions are well balanced from all angles. I cut, join, carve, assemble and finish each piece by hand to guarantee the highest quality craftsmanship at every stage.

I see my current work as fitting into 3 groups. One group of designs is organic, curved pieces inspired by the simplicity, beauty and motion of natural forms. I use a variety of methods to shape these curves including carving, steam bending, lamination and vacuum forming. In another series I am exploring the range of forms that can be created from a single piece of wood cut part way through and expanded through steam bending, creating furniture with hardly any glue or joinery. The nature of the wood itself restricts the curves to ones that are both dramatic and extremely fluid. The last series combines wood with natural stone. In these pieces the wood is literally balanced by the weight of the stone. Often the design switches the usual qualities of the materials – the wood may look sharp and hard, while the organic shape of the stone makes it seem soft and friendly by comparison.

Press

Title Source Online version
Seth Rolland: Slicing Maestro Fine Woodworking, June 3, 2010 Link to article
Sculptural Bookends That Blossom From Single Piece of Wood The New York Times, February 4, 2009 Link to article
Hometone.org interview Hometone.org, March 1, 2008 Link to article
Seth Rolland On Design and Creativity Highland Hardware Wood News Online, August 1, 2005 Link to article
Custom Woodworking Business Design Portfolio Award Custom Woodworking Business, December 13, 2006 Link to article
Luxe's Gallery Walk showing Seth Rolland's Oxeye Hall Table Luxe Pacific Northwest edition Spring 2012, April 1, 2012 Link to article

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