Benches have long supported households, outdoor spaces, and commercial environments as common area group seating. In the words of Britannica, “they were the most common form of seating in medieval halls at a time when a chair was a rare luxury reserved for those of high status.”
Benches could be used for lounging and dining, as well as sleeping. We still have this multipurpose function in our contemporary spaces. Just look at alcove daybeds and living & dining benches built into tiny homes.
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:
- What is it made of?
- How is it made?
- Who made it?
- Who is selling it?
- Where does it come from?
In their most basic freestanding constructions, you can still make a bench and a chair out of very few pieces of untreated, rustic wood. But depending on who made it and/or who is selling it, it could very well be considered luxury.
As a small business, we consider our benches to be a luxury offering despite not having a large brand name.
- We select high quality, and in some cases unique origin, materials.
- We make our products through craft-oriented manufacturing processes
- We design and build with aesthetics we believe in, focusing on unique elements and a satin touch in the finished feel.
- We create our work in California with a team that is based here.
This approach is part of every JOHI bench’s story, whether it is sold new from us, through a retail partner, or at the recommendation of a professional in interior decoration, interior design, or architecture. Plus, it continues to be a part of every JOHI product’s story when a purchaser chooses to resell the work. It retains value in material, craft, and provenance.
Taking a look through our bench offerings, you’ll see two distinct aesthetics:
- In the Whispering Bench and our Drift Nesting Bench Set: clean contemporary lines that befit luxury interior styling from San Diego to New York.
- Meanwhile, we have a unique rustic-contemporary blend in our Slab Seat Benches with pillar-like legs that enhance home decoration styles from California Casual and Tahoe Lakehouse to Modern Mountain and Cozy Chalet. Visit the Santa Cruz Walnut Bench for a locally harvested option that is made to order. Or, visit our rare Upcountry Koa bench with Curved Backrest and backless Kula Koa bench, both using koa from Holly’s home island of Maui.
The Whispering Bench is made of a White Ash body, finished either in natural or deep black. The pair of upholstered cushions are available in 4 colors of Sensuede, a heavy duty contract grade textile.
Front & Back Details of our made-to-order Santa Cruz Walnut Bench
We envision these benches in beautiful scenes at the foot of the bed, welcoming guests in the entryway/foyer, and accenting an inviting living room or sharp library study. We are excited to continue developing our line of upholstered Whispering Benches, nesting waterfall Drift Benches, and curated Slab Benches here at the studio. If you have a particular question about one of these or need to request a sample, please reach out! We’re here to support your home and commercial projects.
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Mahalo for being a part of our world here at JOHI. We're always grateful to be a part of yours!
Post by Holly Apau Badr-El-Din • President & Co-Lead