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Phillip Keefe’s furniture appears like it might scuttle away in the night. The Chicago-based designer uses traditional techniques like hand-carving and wood joinery to sculpt lively pieces evocative of spiders, crabs, and other creepy, crawly critters.
The Tim Burton-esque furnishings were initially inspired by Keefe’s dog Iggy, who frequently accompanied him to the studio. “His ambitions always exceeded his ability, and what I’m sure began with helpful intentions ended as scatterings of wood shavings all over my shop,” the designer added, noting that Iggy’s most important contribution was serving as a model. Keefe hand-carved iterations of the dog’s legs, which became the basis for a series of chairs and tables named after the pup.
The Arthropod collection emerged similarly. As Keefe explored various wood joints, he discovered one method that would allow furniture legs to attach to the side of a piece rather than rest underneath. The resulting bookshelf, a cabinet, and a desk with square skeletal frames and legs that seem primed for movement, as if they might scurry across the room to greet you at any moment.
If you’re in Chicago, catch Keefe’s anthropomorphic works in a pop-up project through October 11. Otherwise, find more on his website and Instagram.
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