Untethered by bombastic claims of trend adherence or disingenuous refutes thereof, Brooklyn furniture brand Sixpenny does things differently. For the maverick producer, it isn’t even a question of substance over style but an unyielding concession that the objects we surround ourselves with in our ever-multivalent homes will inevitably wear down; imprint the passage of time and use. Its proposition: create especially comfortable furnishings with carefully sourced top quality materials in timeless compositions. Sixpenny’s differentiator: a favorable price point for what are ostensibly heirloom pieces.
Whether a sofa with flowing upholstery—recycled vegan polys—with overstuffed pillows—ethically sourced down feathers. Base frames are hand-assembled out of kiln-dried hardwoods. Up until recently, achieving timelessness in these designs centered on using neutral tones.
That changes with the new Wild Air print, a striking interplay of rich yellows, greens, and reds. The fabric—wrapping various existing designs—centers on a sfumato effect blending together what appears to be Mannerist-style watercolors of flowers.
The move was so bold that Sixpenny CEO and Head of Design Robert Natale chose to completely retrofit the brand’s Dumbo, Brooklyn loft. Rather than the stark white, post industrial interior they might expect to encounter, visitors are transported in what appears to be an Art Deco haveli.
The orangey red found in the printed textile covers the walls in an almost stucco-like effect and carries across to subtly ornamented rugs. A dramatically staged lounge gives way to a platformed bedroom accessed through intricately detailed (concentric circle pattern) panel doors.
The moody time capsule—a retreat from the concrete, glass, and steel of the surrounding area—showcases an expanded product range alongside a vast collection of accessories, plants, and art works. Nods to the historic Art Deco style fascination with Japanisme are emphatic. Each carefully arranged vignette throughout the ever-unfolding interior reveals something new about Sixpenny’s aesthetic ambition, if not also, its agility.
To learn more about the brand and shop their extensive collection, visit sixpenny.com.
Photography by William Jess Laird.