Taracea’s Ode to Nature
Words by Ellen Jones
If Mother Nature could design furniture, she’d probably envy Taracea’s take on her handiwork. The Miami-based furniture company is all about celebrating the wonder of wood. Central to its artistry lies a profound reverence for nature’s untouched beauty. Every Taracea piece is a tribute to the raw, unfiltered elegance of the natural world, embodying a commitment to preserving this splendor through meticulous craftsmanship and sustainable practices.
The journey of each item of Taracea furniture begins with a deep respect for nature’s fallen and hurricane-tumbled trees. Every tree is carefully recovered from sustainably managed Mexican forests and plantations, ensuring that the surrounding ecosystems remain unharmed. This intricate process, often spanning years, transforms what might have been lost into a celebration of nature’s resilience and grace. The wood, marked by time and elements, carries a unique story, infusing each piece of furniture with character and depth that cannot be replicated.
in eno (W: 101 1/8” x D: 44 1/8” x H: 33 3/8”). Chillida Coffee Table in eno (W: 68” x D: 52” x H: 16”).
Photos courtesy of Taracea. Taracea.com
Photo courtesy of Taracea. Taracea.com
From Raw to Refined
It’s hard to pinpoint a signature Taracea aesthetic. Using rare and fine woods such as encino, fresno, guanacaste, teak, milpa, palografico, and yukas, Taracea crafts each item with a distinct vision, embracing the unique texture and color of each material.
Be it a roughly hewn coffee table whose surface is a raw tree trunk slice or a smoothly cut and polished mid-century-style loveseat, each Taracea piece embodies its own distinct look and feel. Indeed, the only commonality is the exquisite craftsmanship and deep respect for wood.
With its natural imperfections and organic shapes, Taracea’s Luna collection brings a touch of the wilderness into your spaces, each knot and grain telling the story of the tree’s life. In contrast, the ornate Chillida collection features intricately sculpted wooden forms — buffed, rounded, and fitting together like a precise jigsaw. “Our Chillida collection is inspired by the renowned Basque artist Eduardo Chillida,” says Taracea. “In this collection, subtle curves blend with the distinctive character of reclaimed Mexican oak, echoing Chillida’s work with forms that appear both solid and fluid.”
Then there are pieces that align the modern with the untamed. Take the Corteza Buffet, a remarkable sideboard with a sleek, contemporary silhouette but whose facia is characterized entirely by the deep grooves and textured ridges of rugged corteza bark.
In terms of inspiration, what comes first — the wood or the design? “We select the wood first and then create designs based on it,” explains Taracea. “That way, we can always highlight the beauty of each chosen log. The texture, color, and grain patterns of the wood inspire our designs, allowing the natural characteristics of the material to guide the creative process.”
Right: Chillida Coffee Table in eno (W: 68” x D: 52” x H: 16”). Chillida Buffet in eno (W: 94 1/2" x D: 20" x H: 33 1/2").
Photo courtesy of Taracea. Taracea.com
Photo courtesy of Taracea. Taracea.com
Supporting Sustainability in Every Grain
Sustainability is not merely a practice at Taracea; it is a philosophy ingrained in every step. “From sourcing materials to production processes, we prioritize eco-friendly practices. We use non-toxic finishes and adhesives, minimize waste through efficient production techniques, and recycle or repurpose leftover materials. Additionally, our facilities are designed to reduce energy consumption, and we use 100% solar energy in all our processes.”
Taracea collaborates with sustainably managed forests throughout Mexico, empowering small landowners to preserve these vital landscapes. Their own plantations further contribute to carbon reduction, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to nurturing the environment. “Most of the woods we use aren’t commercially available; therefore, we are using materials that would end up being burned or never used,” assures Taracea. This harmonious relationship with nature ensures that each creation is not only a work of art but also a testament to environmental stewardship.
The transformation of these noble woods into exquisite furniture begins at Taracea’s mill. Here, each log is meticulously processed, coaxing out its inner elegance and worth. Some woods, stretching over 100 inches wide or embedded with metal and concrete waste, pose significant challenges. Yet, Taracea’s innovative techniques and custom tools rise to meet these obstacles, allowing them to unveil the hidden splendor within even the most rebellious logs.
Once milled, the wood is dried in Taracea’s kilns, monitored both locally and remotely from Italy. This crucial phase, which can take up to three months for thick slabs, is designed to eliminate internal tensions that might otherwise cause future cracking or splitting. By the end of this process, each piece emerges stable and ready to be transformed by the hands of master craftsmen.
The final touch in Taracea’s creation process is where true artistry unfolds. Skilled artisans breathe life into each piece through time-honored techniques. But how does the brand balance centuries of woodworking tradition with cutting-edge design? “Our artisans are experts in techniques passed down through generations, ensuring that each piece is crafted with precision and care,” explains Taracea. “Yet, at the same time, our design team stays attuned to current trends and incorporates modern elements into our collections. It’s this fusion of the old and the new that allows us to create furniture that is not only elegant and relevant but also built to last with a solid foundation in craftsmanship.”
Photo by Bren Photography LLC, courtesy of Atelier Maison & Co. Ateliermaisonco.com
Product: Waldron Buffet by Taracea
Builder: Living Stone Design + Build
Designer: ID.ology Interiors & Design
Furniture Store: Atelier Maison & Co
For more information about The Sullivan Family of Companies visit Thesfc.co.
Atelier Maison & Co. x Taracea
Founded by interior designer Laura Sullivan and her custom builder husband, Sean, Asheville’s Atelier Maison & Co. sells sustainable home furnishings with a mission that transcends mere aesthetics. The duo’s ”whole living” concept begins with great design and build and culminates with non-toxic home furnishings so their clients can live green.
For Atelier Maison & Co., partnering with Taracea, whose values deeply resonate with theirs, was a no-brainer. “Our guiding mission is to contribute to the health and wellness of our clients in their homes by providing healthy, non-toxic, heirloom-quality furniture,” explains Laura. “After all, people spend 80-90% of their time indoors, which can actually be up to five times more toxic than outdoors. We actively sought out vendors who share the same values, which led us directly to Taracea.”
Offering full-service interior design and selling furniture at their Asheville and Cashiers studios, Atelier Maison & Co. has certified its reputation as NC’s premier destination for environmentally kind home furnishings. What aspects of Taracea’s design and craftsmanship do they think resonate most with their client base? “The sustainable and healthy characteristics of their pieces, and the fact woods are hand-selected and processed in a way that uncovers their natural elegance. For instance, Taracea uses low or non-toxic finishes which enhance better indoor air quality.”
What recent local interior projects has Atelier Maison & Co. collaborated with Taracea on? “We have clients in a home overlooking the French Broad River, with Kayla Burris as their design consultant,” says Laura. “The project was a biophilic design, which means integrating natural elements into the home to create a harmonious connection with the surrounding environment. We brought in Taracea pieces to achieve just that.”
Ready to bring a touch of nature’s finest craftsmanship into your home? Swing by Atelier Maison & Co.’s Asheville or Cashiers studios to explore key Taracea pieces or discuss larger-scale, sustainable interior design projects.
To learn more about Taracea, visit Taracea.com. Stop in to Atelier Maison & Co. to see Taracea in person or visit Ateliermaisonco.com.