Furniture Marolles
Photography by Jock McDonald
"Nature informs my sense of beauty and my reverence for beauty." - Ed Clay
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What do you collect?
Ed has never been a collector, but has said many times that if he were to collect it would be chairs. Ariel already seems to be collecting chairs and can count 24 chairs in her home already. They are always so interesting and engaging in design, comfort, and experience. I collect a wide variety of chairs from mid-century Thonet to rustic Equipale chairs. I just can't help buying a cute little stool or child size chair for my kids. An eclectic mix of heirlooms, vintage, new, handmade and charming chairs that seems to just be growing!
How are you inspired by the past?
Ed has found inspiration from Wharton Esherick, Texas Biedermeier furniture, and Wendell Castle. Ariel is inspired by mid-century Mexican architecture and colorful handwoven textiles.
What is the history of the chair, and how did you begin producing them?
Ed first encountered this chair in January 2015 at Fog Art & Design in San Francisco. It was love at first sight! He then mocked one up for himself in his studio and then decided to reach out to the Estate of Jean Touret and The Artisans of Marolles to discuss re-issuing the chair. It was a serendipitous encounter and led us on the path of working together to release this updated edition that honors the original design, but functions in modern settings with stability and options of bar and counter height. There are maybe only 100 of the original chairs produced by the Artisans of Marolles in the 1950 in France. We are delighted that we can bring this history back to life!
Where in the world excites you most?
Ed is most excited anywhere outdoors in the American West. The Sierra, the canyons of Arizona. Ariel is most energized on the streets of New York City or the beaches of Hawaii.
How are you inspired by nature?
Endlessly. It never ceases to amaze us. Trees and wood as a material constantly captures our attention and love. Nature informs my sense of beauty and my reverence for beauty.
About Furniture Marolles
Ed Clay has been designing and making custom furniture in the Carneros region of California Wine Country for over 40 years. His daughter, Ariel Clay has been on the front end of the New York design world for the past thirteen years working with top brands such as BDDW, Uhuru Design, APPARATUS, and now simultaneously with Egg Collective. The inspiration to reproduce the Marolles Chair struck the Clays when they discovered an original at the Fog Fair in San Francisco in 2015. They contacted the Touret family for approval of the project with the desire to remain faithful to the spirit and detail of the work of the Artisans of Marolles.
