How can I love this spring
when it’s pulling me
through my life faster
than any time before it?
When five separate dooms
are promised this decade
and here I am, just trying
to watch a bumblebee cling
to its first purple flower.
I cannot save this world.
But look how it’s trying,
once again, to save me.
James A. Pearson
We’re honored to have been nominated for the Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Product Design. To whoever nominated us, thank you.
After 17 years of working together in creative partnership here on our island in the woods, being recognized by the American design community in this way is humbling to say the least. Running a studio like ours is an act of faith. It needs so much fuel, and this nomination is exactly that.
Congratulations to all the nominees and to this year’s winner, Berea College Student Craft @bcstudentcraft , the first educational institution to win in the Product Design category. Your work (since 1893!) is truly inspiring.
Thank you to the Cooper Hewitt @cooperhewitt and to everyone who continues to support our work. We are so grateful to practice in community with you all.✨✨✨
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#graindesign #productdesign #bcorp #americandesign #NationalDesignAwards 📷 @benblood
How suddenly
the woods
have turned
again. I feel
like Daphne, standing
with my arms
outstretch
to the season,
overtaken
by color, crowned
with the hammered gold
of leaves.
Linda Pastan
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #americandesign #offgridcollection #casegoods #customfurniture
“There’s only so much small studios can do to create circular systems, but if we come together and re-envision our relationship to goods and consumption, we can get there.”
Chelsea Minola, Grain
We were recently interviewed by Sonia Zhuravlyova @sonia_writer_editor from London’s @onofficemag about our approach to sustainability, craft and building a better future through design. The discussion was so rich that we put it up in full on our journal today. Link in stories.
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #americandesign #circulardesign #circularmaterials #circulareconomy #salvagedlumber 📷: @benblood
Chill marks arise when molten glass comes in contact with cool mold surfaces. Our Drift Bump Sconce proudly displays the unique echoes of the making process and is paired with a precision-cut aluminum frame and dimmable LED’s.
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #lightingdesign #castglass #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #americandesign #driftbumpsconce
may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that
Lucille Clifton
We recently had the chance to reconnect with longtime collaborator and friend Jean Lin, founder of @colonydesign . Many know her as an advocate for independent design—both through her cooperative gallery model and her broader efforts to support social change through creativity.
We spoke ahead of The Independents, Colony’s group exhibition opening May 8. The show brings together Colony’s current designers, alumni and residency graduates to explore what keeps them going—the “why” behind what they do.
In our conversation, Jean reflects on a decade of building a values-driven creative practice, the importance of making room for questions and how Colony continues to evolve while staying rooted in community. Link in bio to read the interview.
If you’re in New York this month, The Independents is May 8-21 at Colony and Grain will have new work included.
You can also find Jean hosting Flood the Zone, a series of conversations where industry and culture leaders explore how we can use our creative voices as tools for positive disruption on May 17-19 at Shelter.
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #colonydesign #americandesign #independentdesign #jeanlin
Our journey with cork began in 2019, drawn to its regenerative qualities and carbon-capturing potential. As a small studio committed to social and environmental responsibility, we were truly humbled to be invited by @rockwellgroup and @amorimcork to share our Clover side tables at Casa Cork during Milan Design Week.
Standing alongside inspiring collectible design by the Campana Brothers, Noé Duchaufour-Lawrance and Tom Dixon felt like a full circle affirmation of our path. What made this gathering so special was seeing how each studio brought their unique perspective to this remarkable plant-based material.
The exhibition thoughtfully challenged preconceptions about cork, revealing its depth and versatility. We’re grateful to be part of this conversation about materials that can heal rather than harm our planet.
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #cork #corkfurniture #customfurniture #americandesign #CorkCollective #regenerativedesign #CollectingCorkCreatingChange #CasaCorkbyDavidRockwell #MilanDesignWeek2025 @corkcollective@rockwellgroup@labatrockwellgroup@amorimcork
Our Clover collection consists of four distinct cork tables that can be realized in all natural, dark brown or a graphic mix of the two colors.
Dark brown cork is achieved through a toasting process, allowing us to use cork that is discolored or somehow unusable. This process not only eliminates a potential waste material, but it does so while adding value through its rich chocolate coloration.
Initial sketches had a light and floral feel, but the final results are much more architectural and grounded. The shapes continue to change with the introduction of light, shadow and movement.
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #cork #corkfurniture #customfurniture #americandesign #regenerativedesign
We’re thrilled to announce our participation in Casa Cork by David Rockwell during Milan Design Week. The installation celebrates circular design and showcases global makers who are pushing the boundaries of sustainability in the built environment.
As longtime admirers of cork’s remarkable properties, we’ve developed a body of work that honors its regenerative nature. At Casa Cork, we’ll be exhibiting furniture from our Clover collection while participating in a week filled with zero-waste innovation discussions, live demonstrations, and evening aperitivos in the salon.
Visit Casa Cork at Via Solferino, 31 in Milan from April 8-12. The exhibition will be open to the public daily, from 11:00 - 4:00 Tuesday & Wednesday, and 10:00 - 4:00 Thursday through Saturday. Check out @corkcollective to learn more.
We hope to see you in Milan!
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#graindesign #furnituredesign #interiordesign #productdesign #bcorp #bcorpusa #climateneutral #beclimateneutral #madeonbainbridge #madeonbainbridgeisland #bainbridgeisland #cork #corkfurniture #customfurniture #americandesign #CorkCollective #CollectingCorkCreatingChange #CasaCorkbyDavidRockwell #MilanDesignWeek2025 @corkcollective@rockwellgroup@labatrockwellgroup@amorimcork
