Back in 2012, my intention was never to create a luxury brand. The furniture you now see in our Autonomous showroom and website is a byproduct of fundamental value, albeit our pieces are often grouped as luxury, let me expand on my thought process and why I categorize our furniture as premium rather than luxury.

Design – From the beginning of choosing our name, Autonomous, I always wanted to design original furniture, without influence of trends, and not always playing nice in a room.  Add Drama and evoke conversation.  To achieve, my mind is busy looking at shapes, composition, and materials.  Never in magazines, Instagram, or Pinterest (ahggg).

Function – There’s a saying that luxury goods are not related to performance, “I can afford regardless of its purpose”.  Every furniture piece we make at Autonomous is debated, scrutinized, and tested.  Is the bench the perfect height to put on ones’ shoes?  Can you jump on the bench?  Will the finish stand the test of time? Could the furniture piece be repurposed in the future?  To name a few examples.

Social – I source almost all of the wood used in our furniture locally. I know the families who assist us in the wood purchases and the economic impact of a good wage earned for these people. All of our metal work is done locally, using steel from North America. Our production involves highly skilled workers right here on Vancouver Island, and as we expand employing graduates from the fine British Columbia technical programs available.

Value - Often Luxury furniture is discounted at great proportion, a reflection of the available margin and obvious void of cost.  Autonomous craftsman will always put the quality of the furniture ahead of profit.  Not to say we don't have to be mindful of numbers, however first priority is craft and execution.  It's also the reason you'll never see our pieces on sale.

I view our furniture not as senseless purchases, the intrinsic value shown as functional art, provided fruitful employment, sound environmental practice, and something that will enrich its environment (yours) every day as you sit, eat, or rest with Autonomous Furniture.

Photo credit: first three photos by Jody Beck, final photo by Jo-Ann Richards.

One of the most important aspects of wine food pairing is matching the body of your wine with the level of intensity in the flavors of your food. So when we began looking for the perfect match to the Autonomous look we were instantly drawn into the art of Zoe Pawlak. We first met Zoe in 2013 at the IDS show in Vancouver, where she was showing and living.

Fast forward four years, and our furniture pieces shown at Address Assembly on Vancouver's Main Street this past Spring were curated with Zoe's latest mirror collection. This curation made by the talented Amber Kingsnorth of Mak Interiors confirmed what we had always imagined - an enticing combination!

(Autonomous Ben credenza shown below Zoe Pawlak mirrors, and Autonomous Saxe nesting tables shown with Zoe Pawlak landscape painting. Photo credit above: Bright Photography).

Aside from Zoe's clear talents in creating art pieces that evoke awe of beauty, her personality shines through each piece in a captivating way. We are delighted to have Zoe's latest Landscape paintings exhibiting in our Autonomous Furniture Victoria showroom throughout December until January 15, 2018.

Of her landscape paintings: "My affection for the ocean must largely have to do with not only having grown up at its edge, but our parents having taken my brothers and I camping at every sea-side harbour and expanse of beach on the West Coast from our youngest, most formative days well into our cranky teenage years. I not only have these scenes woven in my eye, but must also mend myself by coming to this edge."

Now back to that wine pairing. Our Autonomous furniture pieces have a tendency to evoke drama, and when paired with Zoe's paintings, make for perfect harmony.

Come visit our showroom now through January 15, 2018 to see her stunning pieces for yourself. We'd love to have you.

(Photo credit above: The Collective You)

We are avid readers of one of the Pacific Northwest's most coveted design magazines, so when the latest issue of Gray magazine arrived, we couldn't help but flip to the back page to see Autonomous Designer Kirk Van Ludwig's collection .... collection of mobile phones, that is!

Yes, our own Founder and Designer collects mobile phones, since he purchased his first cell phone in 1993. We recommend you grab the latest 'Hot New Next' issue of Gray, and while taking in all the beautiful interiors, learn how such a simple everyday staple like mobile phones transition into Kirk's furniture designs for both beauty and function.

Speaking of form and function, one of Kirk's latest furniture pieces to release are his Saxe nesting tables. These tables are extremely versatile in their ability to be moved around the room to suit lounging needs yet provide a sexy warmth to their living space. Shown here in Roasted Maple and set on extruded hexagonal brass legs, these nesting tables were inspired by Kirk's memories of growing up in Vancouver in the early 70's. Shift them around the room for movie night snacks or nestle in a group for entertaining. 

Details for the Saxe nesting tables can be found here, with easy flat packed shipping across North America. Also available in White Oak and Black Walnut.

Happy Summer Days to you! Stay tuned for some exciting Fall announcements coming soon.

Designer Kirk Van Ludwig launches his latest product - the Freeman bench. An artful yet functional piece.

The slatted design is airy yet grounded, its shelf offering a beautiful place to put magazines or shoes. The Freeman bench has tapered legs and provides an intriguing play on angles throughout the piece.

A simple design that upon closer look reveals thoughtful geometry and joinery. Designed to act as either an occasional table or bench.

Proudly designed and manufactured in Victoria, BC. Available in Walnut, White Oak, or West African Doussie (as shown in limited quantities) both on our web store or Victoria showroom.

We are honoured to be recognized as Western Living magazine's One to Watch in their annual Designer of the Year awards! 

Read the article here.

A sincere thank you to Western Living for the recognition, and to the panel of internationally renowned judges. This means so much to each of us at Autonomous!