Our makers never fail to motivate us, encourage our creativity, and fill us with inspiration. So, when a new design enters our assortment, we’re always excited to learn more about the people behind the product.
What gets an artist going and keeps them creating is certainly worth sharing, and every great connection starts with a simple introduction! Meet Christophe Pourny. Christophe performs miracles of antique furniture restoration (among other things) in his DUMBO, Brooklyn studio. He and his company developed all-natural formulas for working on antique furniture, and began selling them. Having heard from clients that they were using them on handbags and shoes, Christophe & co. tweaked the products and created some that worked even better on accessories, luggage, and of course, furniture. Behold: our new All Natural Shoe Care Kit.
When did you know you wanted to be an artisan?
The day I realized I could never work for anybody else! (True.)
What was the most exciting thing about becoming a professional artisan?
The freedom.
What does your typical day in the studio look like?
We usually have several projects going on at different stages of completion so every day takes you through many phases of work. It is a bit like preparing five dishes at a time for a dinner.
Is there a trinket, talisman, or other inspirational object you keep near? If so, what is it and what does it mean to you?
I have written on a wood board a sentence from Picasso, stating that every act of creation is first an act of destruction! In our field of decorative arts and restoration, it is the dissecting of the piece you have in front of you and what composes it and the transforming process we put it through.
Imagine you just showed your work to a kindergartner for the first time. What do you think they would say?
Children have an immediate reaction to beauty; they touch and they smile.
What quote or mantra keeps you motivated?
“Saving humanity from uniformity one piece of furniture at a time.” ( in all modesty 🙂 )
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