Furniture with a Brazilian Flavor

Less is more -- especially in today's over-inundated market of pillows, vases, and elaborate home decor. A simple piece of well-crafted furniture may be all you need to fill a room with life, style, and a sense of being.

That is why Pure Contemporary has quickly become a fan of Brastilo, a company specializing in Brazilian-inspired contemporary home furnishings -- with an eco-green consciousness.

To understand what makes Brastilo tick, we caught up with William Oliver, designer and consultant for Brastilo -- as well as William Sonoma, Pottery Barn, and Target -- and Jack Fisher, VP of Marketing for Brastilo.

William Oliver:

Brastilo utilizes a lot of pine. Where does it originate from?
The Brazilian pine comes from 45,000 acres of sustainable land in the rain forest, owned by parent company Irani.

How do Brastilo products differ from those available from the mainstream market?
The high-quality pieces are constructed from solid wood and come fully assembled. Each is delivered to your door with white glove service, meaning they are unpacked and ready to use. There is an emphasis on individuality, with many pieces being hand-crafted.

How does Brazil translate into furniture and home design?
The people and culture of Brazil exude a simple, laid-back lifestyle, which translates beautifully into the furnishings.

You are well-versed in product design, working in mediums from furniture and lighting to textile design. What drives your design?
I specialize in simple, pure, aesthetic design. I believe that clean, modern design resonates from inside, and can be implemented across several product areas.

Pictured: Flat-Front Buffet by William Oliver for Brastilo.

Jack Fisher:

Tell our readers a little about Brastilo.
Brastilo strives to bring eco-friendly, contemporary furniture with a Brazilian flare to the consumers. Brazil has such a rich history in furniture design. We are looking for designers out of Brazil, and those with a penchant for Brazilian design, to create products that blend a mix of clean lines and primitive nature.

--allie

Tags: modern design, Brazilian design, eco-friendly furniture, wood furniture, contemporary home, pine furniture