It's all in the Gravy...

When you meet someone who has talent, it's always exciting and impressive to learn about their work. But when you can actually own their work, use it, see it, enjoy it - it's a whole other ballgame. That's the way it is with Gravy Service - a one man show that puts together form and function in a beautiful way. And it's not just because I know the man behind the Gravy, but because I actually love his work, and even more so because in a variety of the things he builds, he takes the environment into consideration. For one thing, all the pieces are hand made in his workshop in San Fransisco from locally sourced materials. So when you purchase a piece from Gravy Service, you're helping to support a local craftsman, a community, and someone who is focused on the art and quality of creating one piece at a time. And then there are the materials. In many of the beautiful, funky, geometric pieces you will find reclaimed or FSC certified woods, or rapidly renewable materials like Plyboo. And although I would classify the work as 'green-ish' rather than entirely green, I like the fact that there are options that are more environmentally friendly amongst the inventory, and lucky me - they happen to be some of my favorites! Like the absolutely gorgeous 3 Fold table above. The rich dark grain of the FSC certified walnut shows beautifully on this table for seven, and the simplicity and functionality of the design is absolutely ingenious...cause when you don't the need, just fold it up! And Voila! A console, a laptop station, a low profile surface that doesn't eat up your whole home...until you need it to!

And the simple steel base is perfect - it adds style without taking up space, and the contrast of the rich grey steel compliments the rich chocolaty walnut nicely.

Gravy Service has a lot of options for something I am constantly in need of - storage. And probably like many designers, I don't just want something boring to stick my books in, I want something with interest that allows me to create a story and set a stage. 10-12, the FSC certified walnut shelving unit evokes a certain Mondrian je ne sais quoi and makes quite a statement with its modular and varied shelving and equally spaced steel clips. Head on you really can appreciate the contrast of open space with the rich grain of the wood and matte black of the steel. And all the different boxes make it a perfect place for showing off your decorative options, a few of your favorite books, and may even nothing it all...

Made of Smith & Fong's formaldehyde free Plyboo and Aluminum, Divide is another excellent option for storage and decoration combined. And putting the piece to work as its name suggests, it's an excellent way to delineate a space and create a room without actually putting up walls and closing something off. And what's more, the large expanse of the shelves and lightness of the material finishes allow for a feeling of airiness. You can fill it up or use just a few strategically placed objets d'art to make this somewhat zen like piece the perfect storage solution or artful display.

And of course, there's the Lofty. Made entirely of FSC certified walnut, this falls somewhere between the 10-12 and the divide in scale and purpose. A wonderful and geometric shelving unit that can be against a wall or used as a divider as well, this rich walnut structure is perfect for book storage with pops of a few of your favorite decorative pieces.

Check out the images below that highlight just how perfect this piece is for books and sculptural objects - I love that you can utilize the profile as an additional space for visual interest.

Whether you use it as a bench or a side table, the Lefto has a wonderful simplicity in form that makes it perfect for innumerable spaces. I would love these lined up in a hallway as benches, or sitting alone as a side table in a bright, open loft like space. The contrast of the dark steel and the light grain of salvaged Eucalyptus is fantastic, and helps to add to the easy going, relaxed feel of the piece.

Another gorgeously finished walnut surface, the Proov table is all clean lines with a twist. I love that instead of four regular table legs, you get the fun and funk of angles, but still the lightness of a flat plane of wood.

And last but certainly not least is one of the originals from Gravy Service, the X table, made of Smith & Fong's reclaimed coconut Palmwood and steel. I love the crisp cut of steel going through the wild grain pattern and soft brown of the wood, and the way the edges are angled. And of course, I love the X. Totally hot, and totally perfect for a fun but edgy side table.

Fabulous...and like I said, it's all in the Gravy.