Brooklyn-based KLN Studio, a multidisciplinary practice founded by Sam Keene, James Lepkowski, and Toby Newman, has introduced a compelling new suite of lighting and home furnishings, now available through the curated platform Afternoon Light. The collection underscores KLN’s distinctive philosophy: to harness materials to their fullest potential, allowing their inherent stories to be reinterpreted and retold through a new design language. Drawing upon a robust foundation in woodworking, metalworking, and digital fabrication, the studio imbues reclaimed wood with fresh vitality, while simultaneously exploring innovative approaches to other functional objects that respond to contemporary living demands. This launch not only showcases KLN’s design prowess but also reinforces a growing movement within the design industry towards sustainability, historical preservation, and a deeper appreciation for material provenance.

The Philosophy of Reclamation: Weaving Histories into Form

At the heart of KLN Studio’s practice is a profound respect for the inherent narrative embedded within every material. This approach transcends mere recycling; it is an act of reclamation, where the studio seeks to uncover and celebrate the rich histories that precede a material’s current form. For KLN, allowing a material’s story to be told again, albeit in a different context, is not a subjective artistic pursuit but a guiding principle for conscious design. This philosophy resonates deeply with the tenets of the circular economy, advocating for the maximum retention of value in resources, minimizing waste, and reducing demand for virgin materials.

Reclaimed materials arrive brimming with provenance, already infused with a history all their own. Reclaimed wood, in particular, possesses a distinct kind of rarity and character that cannot be replicated by new timber. Its growth rings are silent chroniclers, recording seasons of abundance and periods of hardship, a cross-section of a life lived slowly and fully over decades, sometimes centuries. Each knot, grain pattern, and imperfection tells a part of its journey, from forest to architectural element, and now, to a piece of functional art. Studies by organizations like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have consistently highlighted the significant environmental benefits of using reclaimed wood, including reducing deforestation, decreasing landfill waste, and lowering the carbon footprint associated with new timber production and processing. By diverting materials from the waste stream, designers like KLN Studio contribute to a more sustainable building and manufacturing ecosystem, offering consumers products with both aesthetic appeal and a compelling ethical narrative.

The Beam Collection: A Second Life for Harlem’s Architectural Heritage

The flagship of KLN’s new offerings is the Beam Collection, a series of hand-carved sculptural pedestals and objects crafted from a rare lot of old-growth pine beams. The story of these timbers is as rich as their dense grain, tracing back to the late 19th century when they served as robust structural elements in a five-story horse stable in Harlem, New York City. This historical context provides a fascinating backdrop to the collection, linking each piece to a specific moment in New York’s urban development.

Chronology and Context:
The late 19th century was a period of rapid urbanization and expansion in New York City, particularly in areas like Harlem. Horse stables were integral to the city’s infrastructure, supporting transportation, commerce, and daily life before the widespread adoption of automobiles. Buildings from this era were often constructed with formidable, slow-grown timber, a stark contrast to much of the fast-grown lumber available today. These "old-growth" pines, as Sam Keene of KLN Studio notes, were likely felled from vast forests north of the city that have long since disappeared, making their material incredibly precious and irreplaceable. The density and tight growth rings of such timber speak to centuries of natural development, resulting in a wood with exceptional strength, stability, and a unique aesthetic character.

When the Harlem stable underwent renovation in recent years, these massive 13-by-13-inch structural timbers were slated for removal. This is where the practice of architectural salvage, an increasingly vital industry, played a crucial role. Architectural salvage companies specialize in carefully deconstructing old buildings to rescue valuable components that can be repurposed, rather than demolished and sent to landfills. KLN Studio was initially commissioned by the developer to repurpose these beams into simple, utilitarian outdoor tables and seating for a communal courtyard within the renovated building. This initial project showcased the material’s durability and adaptability in a practical setting.

However, recognizing the extraordinary quality and historical significance of the old-growth pine, KLN Studio was "fortunate enough to hold onto a small lot of the material once that project was finished," as Keene explains. This reserve allowed the beams to embark on yet another life, transitioning from robust structural workhorses to refined sculptural objects. This decision exemplifies a commitment to maximizing material value and exploring its artistic potential beyond its initial function.

Design and Fabrication Process:
The creation of the Beam Collection is a testament to KLN Studio’s meticulous craftsmanship, blending traditional hand-carving techniques with an intuitive understanding of the material. The process begins with gestural sketches, followed by rough cuts made with a chainsaw, demonstrating a daring engagement with the raw material. This initial phase is then refined through a progression of tools, including angle grinders and various hand tools, culminating in extensive sanding. Each piece is then finished with a natural oil-and-wax blend, enhancing the wood’s inherent beauty while offering protection.

Crucially, the team embraces the existing wear and natural imperfections of each beam, allowing the material itself to guide the final form. This approach results in a profound "conversation between the wild organicism of nature and the precision of human design." Facets cut into the solid wood reveal the extent to which time has marked its surface—the subtle indentations, the varied patina, the occasional crack—transforming these signs of age from potential flaws into celebrated points of character. The timber ultimately reasserts its enduring beauty and usability, with its history becoming an integral part of its appeal, rather than something to be erased. This philosophy blurs the lines between functional design and fine art, positioning the Beam Collection pieces as contemplative objects that invite reflection on time, history, and transformation.

Illuminating Innovation: The Contour and Woodstone Lighting Series

Beyond their profound work with reclaimed wood, KLN Studio also demonstrates their multidisciplinary expertise in their lighting collections, Contour and Woodstone. These series strike a similarly careful balance between industrial fabrication techniques and artisanal handcraft, resulting in pieces that are both visually delicate and remarkably durable.

Material Exploration and Challenges:
The journey to the distinctive fiberglass and resin shades employed in these collections was one of thoughtful experimentation. The studio aimed to achieve a warm, mottled light diffusion and a delicate visual quality often associated with traditional paper or woven lamps. However, they sought a material that could offer this aesthetic softness without sacrificing durability—a common challenge in lighting design, especially for pieces intended for regular interaction in a home environment. After exploring various options, including paper and woven textiles, fiberglass and resin emerged as the ideal solution.

Fiberglass, a composite material made of fine glass fibers embedded in a resin matrix, is typically associated with industrial applications due to its strength, lightweight properties, and resistance to corrosion and temperature fluctuations. KLN Studio, however, recontextualizes this utilitarian medium through a highly tactile and atmospheric lens.

Unique Fabrication and Impact:
The studio’s innovative approach involves cutting and layering small strips of fiberglass over each form, a meticulous, hand-intensive process. This layering technique creates shades with subtle variations in translucency and texture, revealing the human hand in their making upon closer inspection. The resulting material is not only lightweight and strong but also transforms the emitted light into a soft, diffused glow that enhances the ambiance of any space. This method allows KLN to achieve a delicate, almost ethereal visual quality while ensuring the longevity and robustness expected of modern home furnishings. By reframing an industrial medium through artisanal application, KLN Studio offers a fresh perspective on lighting design, demonstrating how material science can be thoughtfully integrated with craft to create truly unique and enduring pieces.

Adaptive Living: The Violette Stacking Stools

Responding to the practicalities of modern urban life, particularly the compact living spaces prevalent in cities like New York, KLN Studio has designed the Violette Stacking Stools. These pieces address a common dilemma: how to comfortably accommodate both a full dining setup and a lounge area in shared living and dining spaces that often lack ample square footage. The solution lies in ingenious, multi-functional design.

Addressing Modern Urban Challenges:
The global trend of urbanization continues to drive demand for efficient and adaptable home furnishings. In densely populated metropolitan areas, residents often contend with smaller footprints, necessitating furniture that can serve multiple purposes or be easily stored when not in use. The Violette Stacking Stools are specifically designed for coffee-table-height meals, games, and informal gatherings, catering to a more relaxed and flexible style of living that is increasingly common. This design acknowledges that traditional dining tables may not always be practical or necessary for every meal or social interaction.

Design Solution and Versatility:
The genius of the Violette stools lies in their elegant functionality. They are low, upholstered pieces designed to stack snugly together, transforming from individual seats into a sculptural totem when stored. This stacking mechanism is achieved through a precisely engineered ringed frame that hugs the cushion beneath, reminiscent of how LEGO blocks interlock. This not only saves space but also elevates stored seating into an aesthetic object, preventing clutter.

The versatility extends beyond mere storage. Two stacked stools create a conventional desk-height seat, ideal for a temporary workspace or a more formal dining arrangement. When three stools are stacked, they reach counter height, providing flexible seating for kitchen islands or high-top tables. This modularity empowers residents to reconfigure their living spaces effortlessly, adapting them to different activities and guest numbers without compromising on style or comfort.

Material and Craft:
Built with solid cherry frames, the Violette Stacking Stools exemplify KLN Studio’s commitment to quality materials and craftsmanship. Cherry wood is renowned for its durability, fine grain, and characteristic warm hue that deepens beautifully with age and exposure to light. The choice of cherry not only ensures the longevity of the stools but also extends the visual language of KLN’s wider Violette furniture series, creating a cohesive aesthetic across their collections. The upholstered cushions provide comfort, making these stools practical for extended use, whether for a casual meal or an evening of board games.

KLN Studio’s Integrated Approach: A Model for Contemporary Craft

A cornerstone of KLN Studio’s success and the distinctive quality of their output is their fully integrated approach to design and production. By keeping the entire process—from custom design and engineering to fabrication—under one roof, the studio ensures that every detail is meticulously considered, expertly resolved, and deeply grounded in the material.

This in-house operational model offers several significant advantages. Firstly, it allows for unparalleled quality control. Each step of the manufacturing process, from initial material selection to final finishing, can be closely monitored and refined, ensuring that the studio’s high standards are consistently met. Secondly, it fosters creative freedom and innovation. Designers, engineers, and fabricators can collaborate seamlessly, experimenting with new techniques and pushing the boundaries of material application without the constraints often imposed by external production partners. This iterative process allows for rapid prototyping and refinement, leading to more innovative and refined end products.

Furthermore, the integrated approach enables KLN Studio to offer bespoke solutions and custom design projects, responding directly to client needs with agility and precision. This ability to tailor designs and control the entire production chain positions KLN as a leader in contemporary craft, appealing to a discerning clientele that values authenticity, sustainability, and exceptional design. In an era where mass production often leads to a disconnect between maker and object, KLN Studio’s model reinforces the value of hands-on engagement and a holistic understanding of the design and fabrication journey. This model not only ensures the integrity of their products but also establishes a sustainable business practice that champions skilled labor and artistic vision.

Afternoon Light: A Platform for Conscious Design

The partnership with Afternoon Light is a strategic collaboration that further amplifies KLN Studio’s mission. Afternoon Light serves as a thoughtfully curated platform, specializing in bringing together designers and makers who share a commitment to quality, sustainability, and unique storytelling through their creations. By featuring KLN Studio’s collections, Afternoon Light provides a vital showcase for conscious design, connecting discerning consumers with pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also carry a deeper narrative and ethical footprint. This collaboration highlights a growing market demand for products that are responsibly made, durable, and possess a timeless quality, moving away from disposable consumption towards investment in meaningful objects.

Conclusion

KLN Studio’s new collections, launched through Afternoon Light, represent more than just innovative furniture and lighting; they embody a profound philosophy of design that values history, sustainability, and meticulous craftsmanship. From the reclaimed old-growth pine beams of Harlem to the ingeniously adaptable Violette Stacking Stools, each piece tells a story of transformation, resilience, and thoughtful creation. By integrating their design, engineering, and fabrication processes, Sam Keene, James Lepkowski, and Toby Newman ensure that every detail is considered, resolved, and materially grounded. In a world increasingly focused on transient trends, KLN Studio offers a refreshing vision of enduring design—objects that not only serve a purpose but also enrich our lives with their inherent narratives and ethical resonance.

To explore more of KLN Studio’s innovative work and their commitment to sustainable design, visit klnstudio.nyc.

Photography courtesy of KLN Studio.