"Innovation inspired by nature" could very well sum up the essential character of Moura Starr furniture. Add a twist of Brasil, however, and you'll come even closer to the soul of the line, the spark that makes this the most singularly exciting new line in the design arena.
Many think of Brasil as a purely exotic place, vibrant and pulsing, from its people and cities to its coastline and vast, lush rainforests. There is also the concept of "Ordem e Progresso" - the country's motto, "order and progress," to consider. It is here that the Brasil-based Moura Starr factory, headed by designers, Graca Kazan and Luiz Mario Moura, differentiate themselves and their work. By taking the idea of order and progress, making it their own by just slightly "turning it on its head," they craft remarkable pieces that are simply unlike anything else.
"Nature has an order of its own, though it's not uniform or simple," Kazan points out. "There is randomness and diversity within order that leads to an uniqueness not possible to duplicate in the manmade world. What we aim for is capturing that unique moment in nature within each of our pieces. Rather than covering it up or changing it, we create a frame of sorts in which that natural beauty becomes the focal point and can truly live and be appreciated."
"Partnering this with the 'progress' aspect is also what makes Moura Starr furniture so special," says Moura. Trained as an engineer, he has developed an exclusive process by which the beautiful native woods can be bonded to carbon steel frames, thereby creating unique pieces designed to be lived with for a lifetime.
MOURA STARR FURNITURE
"Here, we take the best of Brasil's natural materials and improve on them through technology," Moura comments. "It's a way of preserving and even cherishing the amazing natural beauty of the country's landscape - through innovation. These elements work together, are fused together and become one, the furniture."
"Progress" in the form of modernity also pervades the collection. The design aesthetic, based in clean and bold Modernist concepts, both contrasts with and liberates the materials of each piece. Sleek, strong shapes are juxtaposed with the incredibly tactile Amazonian materials: A chunk of wood that is carefully removed from the rock quarries by the minors themselves, a bushel of seeds plucked up and woven together, a shag of cowhide retrieved from Brasilian ranch country. Materials for which all three partners agree are special and limited and so therefore must be treated with great respect and produced to last a life time
The furniture range embodies this aesthetic with pieces that dazzle, defy and invite the senses. Sheets of lead crystal - almost futuristic in their flawlessness - pair with powerful chunks and slabs of rare Brasilian wood. In pieces such as the "Brasil" and "Iguatemi" coffee tables, the liquid-like crystal almost appears to float atop hefty blocks of wood, left ever so slightly rough hewn to heighten the "found object" effect. The same crystal runs as a plank down the center of the stately, slim-lined "Pompeia" dining table, and sits seemingly suspended and looking-glass-like in the frame of the "Olimpo" coffee table which looks much like it sounds, perfectly, pleasingly, amply round.
Many pieces call out to be touched, explored as they echo the wonders of their native land. Chairs such as the "Kalup" and "Malaca" marry sheer waves of wood with sensually tactile cushions of cowhide or exotic seeds. Still others evoke silhouettes of Brasil's indigenous wildlife; the "Trapezo" chair lies low to the ground, radiating the lithe and muscular strength of the Onca or Brazilian Panther, while the "Hiro" and "Quadrata" coffee tables and "Gaia" side tables rest on legs as long, fine and seemingly delicate as the legs of an Amazonian insect. Last, but by no means the least are the long, sexy, low-slung “Babalao”, “Lounge”, “Totem” and “Collage” cabinets, the “Kromus”, “Zeus” and "Hermes" as well as the imposingly solid, carved "Veg" dresser and end tables in the line.
All these items are designed to radiate with the utterly lush, pure beauty of the exotic materials of which they're made - the Imbuia, Sucupira, Acai, Cabreuva Pau Ferro, Linearo Sepia, Noz and Amendola woods of Brazil.
Taken together, these and other pieces are designed to fulfill the company's ultimate mission to give shape to one's atmosphere, to celebrate the vibrancies and wonders of life through color, shape, texture and light. The flair of Brazilian flavor adds an undeniable allure. Ultimately, the convergence of these elements results in a furniture collection unlike any other, sure to be appreciated and sought after by discerning lovers of design everywhere.
Many think of Brasil as a purely exotic place, vibrant and pulsing, from its people and cities to its coastline and vast, lush rainforests. There is also the concept of "Ordem e Progresso" - the country's motto, "order and progress," to consider. It is here that the Brasil-based Moura Starr factory, headed by designers, Graca Kazan and Luiz Mario Moura, differentiate themselves and their work. By taking the idea of order and progress, making it their own by just slightly "turning it on its head," they craft remarkable pieces that are simply unlike anything else.
"Nature has an order of its own, though it's not uniform or simple," Kazan points out. "There is randomness and diversity within order that leads to an uniqueness not possible to duplicate in the manmade world. What we aim for is capturing that unique moment in nature within each of our pieces. Rather than covering it up or changing it, we create a frame of sorts in which that natural beauty becomes the focal point and can truly live and be appreciated."
"Partnering this with the 'progress' aspect is also what makes Moura Starr furniture so special," says Moura. Trained as an engineer, he has developed an exclusive process by which the beautiful native woods can be bonded to carbon steel frames, thereby creating unique pieces designed to be lived with for a lifetime.
MOURA STARR FURNITURE
"Here, we take the best of Brasil's natural materials and improve on them through technology," Moura comments. "It's a way of preserving and even cherishing the amazing natural beauty of the country's landscape - through innovation. These elements work together, are fused together and become one, the furniture."
"Progress" in the form of modernity also pervades the collection. The design aesthetic, based in clean and bold Modernist concepts, both contrasts with and liberates the materials of each piece. Sleek, strong shapes are juxtaposed with the incredibly tactile Amazonian materials: A chunk of wood that is carefully removed from the rock quarries by the minors themselves, a bushel of seeds plucked up and woven together, a shag of cowhide retrieved from Brasilian ranch country. Materials for which all three partners agree are special and limited and so therefore must be treated with great respect and produced to last a life time
The furniture range embodies this aesthetic with pieces that dazzle, defy and invite the senses. Sheets of lead crystal - almost futuristic in their flawlessness - pair with powerful chunks and slabs of rare Brasilian wood. In pieces such as the "Brasil" and "Iguatemi" coffee tables, the liquid-like crystal almost appears to float atop hefty blocks of wood, left ever so slightly rough hewn to heighten the "found object" effect. The same crystal runs as a plank down the center of the stately, slim-lined "Pompeia" dining table, and sits seemingly suspended and looking-glass-like in the frame of the "Olimpo" coffee table which looks much like it sounds, perfectly, pleasingly, amply round.
Many pieces call out to be touched, explored as they echo the wonders of their native land. Chairs such as the "Kalup" and "Malaca" marry sheer waves of wood with sensually tactile cushions of cowhide or exotic seeds. Still others evoke silhouettes of Brasil's indigenous wildlife; the "Trapezo" chair lies low to the ground, radiating the lithe and muscular strength of the Onca or Brazilian Panther, while the "Hiro" and "Quadrata" coffee tables and "Gaia" side tables rest on legs as long, fine and seemingly delicate as the legs of an Amazonian insect. Last, but by no means the least are the long, sexy, low-slung “Babalao”, “Lounge”, “Totem” and “Collage” cabinets, the “Kromus”, “Zeus” and "Hermes" as well as the imposingly solid, carved "Veg" dresser and end tables in the line.
All these items are designed to radiate with the utterly lush, pure beauty of the exotic materials of which they're made - the Imbuia, Sucupira, Acai, Cabreuva Pau Ferro, Linearo Sepia, Noz and Amendola woods of Brazil.
Taken together, these and other pieces are designed to fulfill the company's ultimate mission to give shape to one's atmosphere, to celebrate the vibrancies and wonders of life through color, shape, texture and light. The flair of Brazilian flavor adds an undeniable allure. Ultimately, the convergence of these elements results in a furniture collection unlike any other, sure to be appreciated and sought after by discerning lovers of design everywhere.