Siosi Design - Audi and Ivy
Inspiration
The first Set Dining Table was designed for an economist. We wanted to design a piece with seating all the way around. Ivy and I collaborated on this coopered base design and our client thought it looked like the Set Union sign (∪) - which is used in set theory, a branch of mathematical logic and foundational mathematics. I'm certainly not a math person, but Ivy and I loved that the client saw something personal in the design, and also thought the Set Table had a nice ring to it. I mean, ya gotta set the table before you can enjoy a meal.
Our design process begins with a functional necessity. How does the piece need to live within a space? Sustainability and properly, (with knowledge and integrity) dried timber is a massive priority for us - add that to clean lines, traditional joinery, and love for the craft ... well, all of that determines how we design.
Material
The curly, walnut slab itself was inspiring and led us to the bark inclusion inlay - this particular type of inlay was the first of its kind, but unlikely to be the last. It is, after all, the slab that determines inlay placement - cracks and flaws determine the flow. With each inlay, we match the grain when we want the piece to blend in, and go wild when the aesthetic feels right.
Process
Our approach to treating a slab with reverence, is to mend inevitable flaws in the slab with a series of hand chiseled, rectangular inlays. Each inlay is a different depth, creating an interlocking patchwork - both a practical way to ensure cracks don't expand over time, and an aesthetic choice. There is one specific inlay that is unique to this slab, a confusing detail that embraces a bark inclusion. The “flaw” flows from the inlaid rectangle to the slab top itself. We challenge the viewer to contemplate where the flaw starts, where it ends, and if it was invented.
I haven't the foggiest idea how many inlays are in this slab - all I can say is dozens. And when it comes to learning to inlay, I recommend very sharp chisels - while the veritas butt chisels are absurdly expensive, they're my favorite tool for this technique. Take your time, practice, and understand that even if you've done thousands of them, things can still go wrong, wood fibers can do some unpredictable stuff ... but you can always add more inlays!
Challenges
This project was a joy. The clients were ideal. They lived nearby and the deadline was friendly, which meant that no part of this table was rushed. While there are always challenges in every build, this ain't our first rodeo - we have processes in place that set us up for a smooth build, including flipping 138" x 42" slabs. This was a dream job. I'm proud of the detail work, the one weirdo inlay in particular. We spend months on these tables, and each inlay has to be perfect. But I'm also proud of how smoothly this project went - from craft to logistics. The clients visited our shop, had a say in how the piece was trimmed, gave us plenty of time to spend on the details, and delivery went as smoothly as can be. The project as a whole was a delight, and the clients became friends in the process.
About
SIOSI is Audi and Ivy - a two woman team who blur the lines between life, work, and art. We are artists, collaborators, and in love.
Inspired by Scandinavian design, the Shaker Tradition, and Japanese techniques, we've been designing and making furniture since 2012. Our fundamental goal is to make work that will last a lifetime because of how it's built, and remain relevant because of how it's designed. Ultimately, as business owners, designers, artists, woodworkers, and metal fabricators, our design language leans towards clean lines, integrity in craft, and respect for the planet. We have planted over 175 walnut trees on our land and live in the middle of the woods in southern Indiana - we do our best to practice what we preach.