12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS: par-avion.co

par-avion co. 

par-avion.co is a Norfolk (UK) based furniture and design partnership founded by Simon Cass and Monica Brower.  With diverse backgrounds spanning architecture, lighting and furniture, their work is evocative of a process that carefully mixes traditional craft and modern styling. par-avion co.’s focus on sustainability is rooted in their ethos of sourcing local and natural materials, making products that are built to last, and operating a zero-waste economy.

Image: Courtesy of par-avion.co 

The Tau Tray is inspired by the gentle curves and refined design of Jens Quistgaard’s trays and pepper mills. Every Tau Tray is made with FSC British timber and carbon-absorbing willow from Somerset. Using smaller offcuts of oak, leftover from making our iconic pi stools, we create the thin frame of the tray. Slits are machined into the sides of the tray, enabling us to weave a double-sided pattern in split willow skein, akin to a CH23 chair by Hans Wegner.

Image: Courtesy of par-avion.co 

Split willow skein weaving is the process of refining seasonal white willow from Somerset into thin ribbons (or skeins) used for weaving chair seats or baskets. It is currently recognised by the Heritage Craft Association as being on the Red List for Endangered Craft, as it is practiced by fewer than ten makers in the UK. The delicate process of making and weaving the willow skein was passed down to Monica by Bunty Ball, and now Monica is in the process of teaching the technique to a new apprentice, Melissa White.

Each product is made to order in our Norwich workshop.

Image: Courtesy of par-avion.co 

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