Stories from the Studio

About the Main Ingredient in our Furniture Line: Domestic Hardwoods

Many ingredients need to be just right to create high-quality wooden furniture. What makes timber high quality, and where do we get it? First let's talk about a couple of values before meeting one of our SF Bay Area main suppliers: Moore Newton.

Boosted Branding Through Custom Displays - Umber & Ochre Case Study

Standing out in a crowd can be a tough ask for any business selling at fashion trade shows and craft expo events. Aisles of merchandise begin to blend away. The tight spaces and busy backgrounds of these venues do no favors to the hard work brands put into creating their products. This was the problem San Francisco-based small business...

Meet Elijah! An Interview with Shoutout LA

We’re thrilled to share a recent interview our co-owner Elijah Clancy had with Shoutout LA! It’s a publication dedicated to sparking community conversation and putting the spotlight on mom-and-pop shops, small businesses, independent...

Three Summer 2024 Events for SF Bay Area's Local Design & Craft Scene

Though the June gloom of the Central Coast has been cloaking some of our hints of summer here in Watsonville and Santa Cruz, warmer temperatures signal the return of a few exciting design and craft events: West Coast Craft and SF Design Week. Each hosted in San Francisco...

Home Refreshes: 3 Concepts to Consider

Our homes are always in a state of change. It can happen slowly, frequently, suddenly, and in stages - planned, or unplanned. With that in mind, what are some concepts and approaches to reflect on our current spaces? Below are some prompts and tips to consider, whether “home” is currently...

Giving Back is Built into Every JOHI Order

This year marks our second anniversary as business members of the 1% for the Planet movement! As a member, this means devoting 1% of annual sales, not just profits, to give back to environmental organizations. To date, we have chosen to donate to nonprofit partners who conserve, restore, enable community participation in, and advocate for Pacific Coast forests, mountains, and watersheds. Meet the Elkhorn Slough Foundation, Santa Cruz Mountains Trail Stewardship, Pacific Forest Trust, and 1% for the Planet.

Hello, Spring. Hello, Renegade Craft!

It’s the season of spring design and craft shows once again! This weekend, April 6-7, we will join our fellow small-batch designers, craftspeople, and artists in San Francisco for the...

Contemporary geometric hardwood bench made of White Ash and Sensuede; by design studio JOHI

Luxury in Benches

Benches have long supported households, outdoor spaces, and commercial environments as common area group seating. They could be used for lounging and dining, as well as sleeping. Whether benches versus chairs exist in a space today, the line between common and luxury comes with a consideration of similar factors to long ago...

5 Years in Business - An Open Studio Reflection

On March 9th, we held our first Open Studio in four years. It has been so long since we hosted one, that we forgot how fulfilling it is! Our business...

Design Story: A Modern Hardwood Bench

Enter the Whispering Bench. Its unconventional cushion layout and polished wood draw you in with color and form. At a glance, it is refreshing. On closer inspection, it is refined. This comfortable and modern two-seater is designed to feel at home whether at the foot of the bed or in a grand hotel entryway,

2023 Recap - Some Firsts & Some Favorites

Every winter, we reflect on all of our projects and relationships of the year, amazed – How can time fly by so fast? 2023 Brought Us Our First: Exhibition of work during San Francisco Design Week -- The Locally Crafted Home member showcase by Bay Area Made, hosted at Gantri...