Shifts
Nature has an abundance of fibrous structures. Plant cell walls are made of stiff cellulosic matrix, and their orientation and stiffness in the cell walls is crucial. My interest in biomimicry, textiles and weaving, specifically the tension of a warp and weft structure, was integral to the conception of this project. What manifested is a seemingly rigid structure that has the flexible characteristics of a textile, and the form shifts with the user’s movements. I built it from layered bamboo plywood that I laminated, cut and formed on a lathe. The steel pin connections fit into slotted dowels set in perpendicular directions on the top and bottom of the interior of the form. I used a natural shellac to finish the piece, and hand cut circular bases for each of the cylindrical forms so that the stool seems to float.
BOOBED
Driven by my passion for sustainable materials and construction techniques, I explored bamboo plywood through the creation of a custom-designed bed frame—a structure that bridges furniture design and architectural principles. Bamboo, native to Asia, inspired the low-profile, minimalist design of a rectangular frame, with the mattress recessed into its form.
Practicality and modularity were central to the design. The internal structure features mirrored supports connected by a central spine secured with hex bolts, ensuring easy assembly and disassembly for transport. Drawer units, mounted on casters, glide seamlessly from routed handle recesses, maintaining a smooth, uninterrupted veneer facade. The frame is supported by two removable horizontal panels beneath the mattress, further simplifying breakdown.
To enhance its natural appeal, I applied an all-natural shellac varnish in three layers, highlighting the bamboo's warm tones. Complementing the bed, I hand-sewed a fitted wool blanket with linear stitching, reflecting the Asian-inspired simplicity and harmony of the overall design.
Carromancy
Wax is one of the oldest types of magical workings. Carromancy is a form of divination that draws interpretations from the patterns and symbols formed by the melted wax. This ancient practice was developed by the Celts and Romans and can be used to read and forecast auguries. It was often practiced in Lithuania, a particular aspect of my lineage. Using a found iron chair frame, I first spent months slowly weaving a new structure for the wax to take shape on. Jute twine was appropriate for it’s natural properties and weaving allowed for the wax to drip down into the structure and not just on top of a solid surface. I then placed the object in my studio and allowed for the form to take shape over the next year, lighting candles each time I worked in my studio.
Antique X-Ray Lightbox
This custom lightbox was designed to showcase my client’s antique 1/4-inch thick glass X-rays. Drawing inspiration from the architecture and furniture of the early 1900s—the era in which the X-rays were produced—I incorporated linework and detailing characteristic of that period into the form. These design elements were carefully balanced to enhance the historical essence of the X-rays without detracting from their visual prominence as the focal point of the piece.
Phone Booth
Furniture for the Pine Street Inn Homeless Shelter
Within the constraints of a modest budget and a 2’ x 4’ space, I designed and built with my design partner a “phone booth” for a small alcove in a hallway situated between a bathroom and kitchen in a Boston homeless shelter. The tight parameters necessitated a transformative solution. The design features a seat that can be raised and lowered to accommodate different needs, while the alcove above houses a phone and phone book neatly. The structure, securely attached to the alcove walls, is crafted from durable plywood and finished with milk paint for a warm, approachable aesthetic. The seat, a standout detail, is carved from vibrant Purple Heart wood with a natural clear coat finish, incorporating an integrated handle for practicality and elegance.
Bear Chair
This project was an absolute joy to design and build! Affectionately nicknamed the "Buddha Bear," this unique chair was crafted specifically for cross-legged seating, perfect for meditation or relaxation. Its ergonomically sculpted backrest features eco-friendly memory foam for optimal lumbar support and is hand-upholstered in an irresistibly soft and playful faux fur.
The hand sculpted eco-foam base mirrors a cross-legged form, seamlessly integrating comfort with creativity. A standout feature is the built-in blanket, cleverly sewn into the “spine” of the chair. This cozy blanket can be pulled out to envelop the sitter in a comforting embrace or rolled back into the spine and secured with snaps for effortless storage. The "Buddha Bear" chair is all about blending function, whimsy, and comfort for an unparalleled lounging experience.
STUDIES IN FORM
My studies in form are a series of small sculptural works that act as spatial meditations on material, volume, texture, and transformation. Through soft sculpture, metallic textiles, felt, faux fur, wax-covered wood, hanging forms, and other tactile experiments, these pieces explore how form holds energy, weight, softness, tension, and presence. Each work is both object and proposition: an intimate study that could expand into larger installations, architectural-scale interventions, earthworks, or immersive environments shaped by body, material, and site.
