In some respects, Eric Slayton’s work feels perfectly realized. This not to say his designs are flawlessly finished or entirely symmetrical. Rather, Eric is an artist who is able to harness the realities of the materials he works with – imperfections included – to articulate a form that feels totally complete, absolutely natural, and austerely beautiful. Using materials like concrete, steel, reclaimed wood, and nickel, he creates one-of-a-kind furniture that is equally minimalist and rustic.
A collection of his made-to-order pieces are now available in-store and online at abchome.com. We recently visited his Greenpoint, Brooklyn studio to catch up with both Eric and his partner Elena Lyakir (whose story you can read here). Read on to learn more about this talented artist.
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a selection of eric slayton designs
1. brace desk
2. brace end table
3. open leg coffee table
4. open leg console
5. stik leg bookcase
6. stik leg coffee table
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With a lifetime of experience in the natural world (among many things, he is also an accomplished nature photographer), Eric’s incarnation as urban dwelling furniture designer is something that, unlike his work, may not be born of intention. He explains, “When I moved to New York City, I realized I wasn’t going to make it solely as a photographer – just too high of cost of living.” So without any formal schooling of sorts, he began a foray into furniture making, with concrete serving as the foundation of many of his designs. He continues, “I still wanted to be creative, and I saw the wonderful opportunities in concrete … I’m not a designer, I didn’t go to school for it. I’m a visual artist saying, ‘why not?’”
So was born his eponymous collection. After creating his first piece – a console – Eric realized he might have found a design “niche.” He’s a minimalist; with organic materials – and their inherent power – central to his aesthetic. For example, tables are fashioned from slabs of concrete atop minimal metal bases; ebony stained wood and blackened steel create a modest but imposing bookcase. Lines are simple, with a spatial sparseness that emphasizes the intention of his handiwork.
Helping drive and inform his aesthetic is the Japanese practice of Wabi-Sabi. He explains Wabi-Sabi as “the beauty of imperfection,” and recognizing the value of imperfection. Pieces are “not necessarily polished or finished, but it’s in a very intentional way. It’s playing off of certain variations, certain finishes,” he comments. By embracing the realities of the materials he uses, he allows for them to not only look beautiful in their original design incarnation, but as time goes on. “The natural beauty of these industrial materials is that they have the opportunity to age and mature – and become more valuable,” he says.
Eric’s designs do feel timeless, an investment for life. And considering each and every piece is made-to-order, produced with the utmost attention to detail, (“Doing what I do, I could never mass produce,” he says) they will certainly last for quite a long time.
We first got to know Eric first through his concrete and steel installations at ABC Kitchen, eventually expanding out to a retail partnership. With his namesake furniture shipment just arrived, we find ourselves coveting every single piece. But we’re wondering, is there anything Eric desires in ABC Home? He responds, “What strikes me more is the mission ABC Home promotes and practices. The environmental and social awareness is not just a superficial greenwash, but penetrates to the core of the company – they are always trying their best to meet their beliefs in a very challenging global business. To me this is the most valuable product they sell.”
Much like his product, we couldn’t have said it more elegantly.
Shop Eric’s work above.
-Julia Sweeney, photography by Chris New
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