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Architectural Lighting That Celebrates Wood as a Material

06.16.25 | By
Architectural Lighting That Celebrates Wood as a Material

A short walk in nature – just 20 minutes or less – has been shown to boost immunity and reduce stress. In an era where stress is increasingly pervasive, especially within work-driven cultures, safeguarding our minds and environments has never been more essential. This growing need is reflected in a renewed appreciation for natural materials, as both consumers and designers gravitate toward textures and colors that feel innately human. In response, Post Company has partnered with Idaho Wood to create the Ravine Collection of lighting to celebrate these materials in an honest way. “The collection’s simplicity of form mirrors its material expression, with indirect lighting sources accentuating the organic variations and unique character of each piece,” says Leigh Salem, Founding Partner at Post Company.

A small wooden structure with a square base and a large, slanted pyramid-shaped roof sits on a wooden surface against a wooden wall.

Bold, hefty blocks of wood showcase intricate growth patterns, while the collection’s Bauhaus influence adds a sense of structure and intention. Named after the last remaining forest in Brooklyn, the Ravine Collection of architectural wood lighting thoughtfully unites nature and nurture. The collection, which includes a table lamp and flush mount light, are offered in three distinct finishes: Douglas fir with heritage natural timber oil, western red cedar with natural timber oil, and yakisugi, a traditional Japanese wood-charring technique.

A wooden lamp from the Ravine Collection Post Company, featuring a square base and wide, flat shade, sits on a wooden surface against a wooden plank wall.

A wooden interior features a pyramid-shaped lamp, a glass of water on a table, and a window ledge with stacked books and a cup, overlooking trees outside.

A small, dark, house-shaped object with a ridged roof sits on a wooden pedestal against a background of dark wooden panels.

Two wooden pedestals stand against a dark wood-paneled wall; one holds a small black house-shaped object with a pyramid roof.

Showcasing ancient techniques of finishing, Douglas fir is finished with a natural timber oil, protecting the surface and offering a soft, satiny luster to the exterior. Next is a western red cedar, prized for its distinctive smell, oils, and natural antimicrobial properties. Frequently used in Native American rituals as a cleansing substance, its natural resistance to decay has associated it with anti-inflammatory and healing practices for centuries. Last but certainly not least, the ancient yakisugi technique is utilized to create an incredible charred finish on the wood. The outside is intentionally burned and sealed with oil to create a waterproof, weatherproof finish that highlights the distinctive growth patterns while also hardening the wood’s outer layer, a completely natural, protective yet distinctive finish.

A dark wooden birdhouse from the Ravine Collection Post Company, with a triangular roof, sits on a round wooden stool against a dark background.

Vertical wooden siding painted black with a modern rectangular wall light, next to a leafy green shrub and stone at the base.

In developing the Ravine Collection, Post Company and Idaho Wood were guided by a simple idea: creating sculptural armatures that not only illuminate a room, but also celebrate the raw character of the wood itself. Each piece in the collection, which is handcrafted in North Carolina, balances geometry and scale, offering a quiet interplay between form, function, and material honesty.

A rectangular wooden box mounted on a dark, weathered wooden wall with a chain hanging to the right, partially illuminated by sunlight.

The table lamp is an architectural composition of two elemental shapes: a pyramidal shade perched atop a rectangular base. Both components are carved from solid blocks of wood, a choice that demands both precision in craftsmanship and access to materials of uncommon scale. A wooden peg anchors the lamping within the base, an intentional nod to traditional joinery techniques like mortise and tenon – methods once used in early barns and timber-framed structures. This peg motif reappears as the lamp’s dimmer, a tactile detail that subtly connects past and present. At night, the shade’s sharp form disappears into the dark, casting a soft glow that accentuates the base’s grain and silhouette – each lamp a quiet heirloom in the making.

A close-up of a charred wooden structural beam with gold accent lines, set against a wall of dark, burnt wood panels.

A square wooden wall sconce with a visible light bulb is mounted on a dark, textured wooden wall.

The flush mounts continue this language of geometric restraint and material reverence. Designed for both indoor and outdoor settings, they consist of two stacked rectangular elements – echoing the table lamp’s proportions – with the lighting recessed to wash the inner wood surface in warm, ambient light. Available in three sizes (5″, 7.5″, and 10″), these ceiling and wall fixtures offer a subtle, grounded presence, bringing natural warmth to even the most minimal of spaces.

A wooden wall-mounted light fixture with a rectangular, slatted design exposes a white bulb, set against a wooden plank wall.

A wooden chair and small table with a black bowl are placed in the corner of a room with wood-paneled walls and a small modern wall light.

A small, square wooden light fixture is mounted on a wooden plank ceiling with a natural wood grain pattern.

A small wooden birdhouse with a triangular roof sits on top of a tree stump in a leaf-covered forest.

Beauty, elegance, and utility – all three coalesce neatly at the heart of Post Company’s ethos, providing a solid foundation on which to build. An award-winning design firm that launched in 2012, they work across hospitality, residential, and retail industries to provide a grounding, comprehensive approach to interiors. With exacting detail work that takes their projects to the next level, they work diligently within multiple disciplines to ensure an overall quality and solidity to their portfolio.

A small wooden structure with a triangular roof sits on a tree stump surrounded by fallen leaves and trees in a forest.

What began as a modest garage workshop in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1975 has grown into a quietly influential name in American woodcraft. Idaho Wood, originally focused on handcrafting custom fixtures from western red cedar, has since relocated to Oxford, North Carolina, where it continues to evolve under the leadership of entrepreneur JT Vaughn. Despite its growth, the company hasn’t strayed from its roots – remaining deeply committed to meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful design. For its first official design collaboration, Idaho Wood turned to Post Company, drawn by the studio’s shared dedication to enduring aesthetics, careful artistry, and sustainable values.

A person wearing a blue jacket, camouflage pants, and a knit hat stands in a forest holding a wooden birdhouse.

To learn more about the Post Company and Idaho Wood’s Ravine Collection, please ravinecollection.com.

Photography by Chris Mottalini.

Growing up in NYC has given Aria a unique perspective into art + design, constantly striving for new projects to get immersed in. An avid baker, crocheter, and pasta maker, handwork and personal touch is central to what she loves about the built environment. Outside of the city, she enjoys hiking, biking, and learning about space.