Two Chicago designers, Alexandra Kaehler of Alexandra Kaehler Design and Natalie Konstant of Konstant Home, share why they turned to local artisans for their collections of custom furniture.
Heirloom By Alexandra Kaehler Is Timeless
Sadie, a petite chair with hand-tufting.
This year, designer Alexandra Kaehler launched Heirloom, a collection of timeless furniture made in Chicago. Each piece is handcrafted by custom atelier Artisan312 and offered in an array of carefully selected fabrics. “We trust them implicitly,” Kaehler says of the team, who has also made custom furnishings for clients of her firm, Alexandra Kaehler Design. “We are true partners in the process. They do everything to the highest possible quality.” Heirloom encompasses four pieces: the clean-lined Finn sofa; Sadie, a petite chair with hand-tufting; Jack, a club chair based off an antique find; and the wood-framed H ottoman.
“I started the collection because it felt like there was such a gap in the market for high quality furnishings in interesting shapes and fabrics,” she explains. “The basics are pretty well covered, but it’s tough to find a ‘wow’ piece unless you go custom.” With a focus on aesthetics and comfort, Heirloom pieces suit interiors both traditional and modern, according to Kaehler. “I love mixing different styles of furniture; it’s what makes a space unique,” she says. “You can design an entire family room with our pieces or just fill a gap in your space.”
Natalie Konstant X Arch Is Inspired By French Design
The Settee Nouvelle, a sleek upholstered oak seat.
Natalie Konstant, principal designer with Konstant Home, and Laura White, founder of Arch home goods store in Winnetka, share an underlying mission to make one-of-a-kind artisan design more accessible to the North Shore. “Arch feels like a chic French market,” Konstant says. “The first time I went in and met Laura, I thought to myself, ‘She really gets it.’ ” Partnering on a line of custom furniture, the duo launched a collection inspired by iconic French designers but made by local craftsmen.
“Chicago has amazing artisans, and I always try to source local talent when I can,” Konstant says. “I like going to their studios and talking through every detail, which is really important to me.” Available exclusively at Arch, pieces—such as the Settee Nouvelle, a sleek upholstered oak seat—can be ordered in a variety of fabrics and finishes. “This collection is about bringing new life to works by some of the most influential French designers of the 20th century—Jean Royère, Jean Prouvé and Pierre Jeanneret,” Konstant says. “They were masters in utilizing restraint, something I strive for in my work.”
