Seth Rolland has been making furniture for the past 17 years. The changing, animated forms in nature are his source of inspiration. He tries to give a lively but balanced look to all his creations and pays special attention to the intersections of the various parts to create a unified whole. Jump down to read more.

1. How and when your journey into the genre of designing did begin?

Seth: As a kid I think I considered it inventing, but really designing is just inventing a new and hopefully better way to solve a structural problem aesthetically.

2. How do you start typically with your design process?

Seth: I make many small sketches until I happen upon an idea I like and want to pursue. Often these ideas come while part of my brain is occupied walking or driving.

3. In your website you have mentioned that you “emphasize structure over ornamentation, and dramatic transitions instead of exposed joinery”, please expatiate a li’l over it?

Seth: In my work I try to make the structure interesting and beautiful part. Usually it has enough going on that ornamentation like painting or carving is unnecessary, though I have painted and carved a few pieces. As for joinery, I like furniture where the various parts meet in ways that are a little mysterious. For me exposed joinery makes that connection a little too obvious, and draws attention to itself instead of the relationship between the pieces being joined.

4. You have been into furniture making for 17 years, have taught furniture design at Gatlinburg and Atlanta, GA not to miss the several awards that you have won in the same genre, so you’ve kind of been at the cutting edge of design from the beginning?

Seth: I spent my first 5 years of self employment making hundreds of repetitive patio chairs. Since then I have tried to continually challenge myself with the pieces I make. I personally don’t like the idea of a cutting edge as it implies some leading and others following. I think anyone who is designing their own unique work is contributing to an expansion of the art and craft of furniture making.

5. Most craftsmen develop a kind of liking for the material they work with, so I guess, you too might have special affinity towards your ‘woods’, may we know what kind of ‘woods’ you’d prefer working with?

Seth: I actually have a greater affinity for trees than for wood and so refuse to make furniture out of old growth or clear cut trees. With the exception of a few FSC certified woods it is impossible for me to know anything about the logging practices in other countries, so I use mostly North American hardwoods, almost all FSC certified as sustainably harvested. Currently I am seeking out and milling local urban trees that have blown down or are being removed for other reasons. I am finding some very beautiful woods this way and can cut large thick planks to my liking. I appreciate know where the tree comes from, what it looked like when it was alive and saving it from the firewood pile which is the usual destiny of trees in town. That said, wood is a wonderfully warm and tactile material and I particularly like Ash for bending, Walnut for shaping and carving and Quilted maple for its grain.

6. Seth, do you find any evolution in your work as far as your design and technique are concerned?

Seth: I think my designs and techniques have become more organic over time. Not in the curvy sense of the word, but in the sense that like forms in nature they are not static; they grow, spring, flow, balance and fracture. I am learning more about the nature of wood and enjoy figuring out the limits of the material. I try to make things I’m not sure I can. If I fail, I fail, but if I succeed I have learned something.

7. What is your most popular product and what is your personal favorite, why?

Seth: My most popular is currently my Parabola table and my personal favorite is either the North Beach Hall Table or Sprout because I am really enjoying the combination of wood and stone. I like trying to make the stone appear softer than the wood. Also I love being forced to rock hunt as part of my job.

8. I’m curious to know the decorating style of your home.

Seth: Folksy contemporary meets childproof durable.

9. May we have the honor of knowing your future plans with respect to your genre?

Seth: I’m not someone who sticks to pursuing one idea for too long – new ones always seem more exciting, but I am enjoying pursuing the designs I can make from one piece of wood and think there will be some more of those. The series mixing stone and wood is just at its beginning as well and I am enjoying working with stone. Also I am currently taking a carving class and am unsure how or if that will change the look of my work in the future.

10. Any words of wisdom, you’d like to leave for our readers?

Seth: Spend more time outside, even if it is only in your own yard, and be a noisy political activist, even if it is only by telephone.

11. Finally, we’d like to have your views on Hometone.org?

Seth: I’ve read and seen some great things there that are new to me. David Trubridge’s work is particularly inspiring for me.

A few questions in quick succession:

Seth: Curious

If you had to walk in another person’s shoes for a day, it would have to be?

Seth: Too many choices. If it was an artist it would be Andy Goldsworthy, otherwise, if you promised it was only for a day, it would be interesting to be Helen Keller to understand the world through different senses.

Describe your style, like a good friend of yours would describe it.

Seth: Eclectic, inventive, personable and natural.

If you could choose to make a dream come true, it would be?

Seth: A peaceful egalitarian world in harmony with our environment.

Website(s) you must visit per day?

Seth: Google is no doubt my most frequent, there is always a question I need answered.

Thank you Seth for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you success for all your future endeavors.