Those crushes that start from a distance. You watch, you swoon, perhaps you manage the courage to DM. And then, despite every schoolgirl story - the result isn’t crushing, its enlightening.
We long followed fellow Bloomington creators Audi + Ivy of Siosi Design, but it wasn’t until the right clients came along that the moment to reach out arose. These clients shared an excitement for commissioning functional art that no one else had, and Siosi created just that: two smooth, substantial and minimalist pieces that would act as both bench and table. Sure, emails work fine to send drawings back and forth, to decide details on size, wood type, and finish, but what about the first date? A design courtship isn’t complete without geeking over process. Lipstick or no lipstick?
No lipstick. Bloomington is roots, it’s home. Acceptance. It’s limestone, craftsmanship, tall trees, and basketball. It’s a stop at Nick’s and a hug and a kiss from Dad.
Something we were glad to sense when greeted with warmth in a chilly workshop. The furry friend is protective, but that is a form of sweetness too.
We saw progress on the pieces, and asked more than 20 questions. You must know these women, powerhouses on integrity in design. So, get to know them. Crushing yet?
You both started in fine art school, what caused you to move into furniture?
Audi - In 2012 I finished up an MFA in photography from IU, realized academia wasn't for me, and knew that I wanted to find a way to make art and a living. Starting a furniture design studio was a gamble, but Ivy and I had recently collaborated on designing and making several oddly shaped frames for my MFA thesis show, knew we worked well together, and decided to go for it! I am the third generation of entrepreneurs in my family, so running a business is in my blood ... we bought basic equipment, rented out a space for $300 a month, and started making and designing. Seven years later, we have a 4500 sq ft studio: wood, metal, and photo all under one roof. You know it's your dream job when you look forward to going to the studio on a Sunday.
Ivy - My personal practice has always included components of function. It was a very organic movement into focusing on fine furniture. When we were first conceptualizing a business, Audi and I thought about Exhibition Fabrication, but quickly realized we wanted more control, more time, and more of our own voices in our work. Fine furniture is limitless.
How do you individually find inspiration? Does inspiration come naturally or do you work for it?
Audi - Sometimes inspiration comes naturally, sometimes we have to work for it. I often wake up with design ideas, or ways to problem solve a build. Going to museums, travel, and even instagram are all inspiring ... looking at art, going for a swim, visiting other makers, time in the shop just looking at the wood we're about to work with is also very important processing/inspiration time.
Ivy - Inspiration starts to bubble up immediately when talking to a client or assessing a need...from there it needs to be wrangled, recorded, and then the editing process begins. Inspiration is often informed by our skillset as a way to expand our capabilities. - Right, it's a constant thinking outside the box--about the box itself.
We have to ask: what is it like working with your partner? When do you find yourselves having to compromise?
Audi - It ain't always easy, but it is our collaboration that makes this work. Every piece has some sort of collaborative brainstorming session, we problem solve, think about process, consider design ... together; and sometimes that means compromise, or a frustrating conversation - but it's the process of collaboration that makes our work better.
Ivy - Ultimately, it's a huge advantage. We don't work with anyone we don't like. We don't have to answer to a boss we can't stand or feel undervalued by our team. I can't imagine working in an environment like that and so many, too many people do that everyday, for their entire careers. We compromise a lot of our "non-working" time. We bring work home everyday. Work comes on our fancy dates and home for the holidays. We're working on work / life balance.*
Your work is unique for so many reasons in our book, but what makes it unique to you?
Audi - As women, partners, and self taught woodworkers, we are already outside of the norm in this industry. And our collaboration is very tight - our brains work differently ... very differently ... so the designs that we produce are coming from different perspectives that are brought together. Our hope is to make timeless designs, and we think that our powers combined are much more valuable than our individual skills.
What are ways you can recognize quality when buying furniture?
Audi - Always look at the bottom of the piece. If the bottom has been treated with as much care as the top, you've found a maker with integrity. Attentions to detail and design is also a sign of a thoughtful, careful maker - look at the piece from far away, as a whole, and then get up close and see the quality of craft - it's all important.
Ivy - A piece has to have quality in the sense of "it's degree of excellence" sure, and that's something you learn by comparison, but for me a piece also has to have a quality to it...a distinctive attribute or characteristic. That something special...whether it's the tactile properties of the piece or a distinct maker's hand. That's what I look for.
What’s next for Siosi?
Audi - We're big dreamers. We'd love to build a shop and small home just outside of Bloomington - we've had the privilege of combining work and life, professional and personal; and we'd like to take that to the next level by having a shop and home on the same land. The goal is to host clients in the guest house - they can see their pieces in progress, choose the slab for their dining table, or just hang out with us for a weekend ... and there will be a golf cart, and swimming, and good food + wine. It may be a few years until we manifest the dream, but we're working towards it.
Ivy - I want to supply tables to the stars! For real, I'd love it if we were the "celebrity must-have" tables. Janet [Jackson], if you're reading this, I will make you the most beautiful table, bed, chair,...whatever you want, we'll make it special, all for you.
