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Furnishing Utopia by Hancock Shaker Village

Furnishing Utopia, which we first spotted at Sight Unseen OFFSITE, is a minimalist collection created in collaboration by the Hancock Shaker Village and the Mt. Lebanon Shaker Museum with 12 renowned international designers. A week-long workshop was conducted at two preserved Shaker sites, allowing the designers to access an extensive archive of objects as well as engage in a dialogue with the museum’s curators.

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Daybed by Darin Montgomery

Often credited as the first minimalists, the Shakers and their furniture have inspired countless modernist and contemporary designers all over the world. However, their presence is confined to a limited number of sites within the United States, and individuals rarely have the opportunity to interact and experience these pieces in person.

Furnishing Utopia’s mission is to provide designers with direct exposure to original Shaker artifacts, and as a result, invited twelve designers from six countries to produce designs that translate the ingenuity and aesthetics of Shaker objects into modern forms.

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Handy Rakes by Christopher Specce

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Brush Study by Zoë Mowat

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Chandelier by Tom Bonamici

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Sister table by Studio Tolvanen

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Brother Shelf by Studio Tolvanen

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Trestle table by Studio Gorm

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Rocking chair by Studio Gorm

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Bench by Studio Gorm

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Baskets by Studio Gorm

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Norm Shaker Trays by Norm Architects

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Woven Stool by Ladies & Gentlemen

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Work Station by Ladies & Gentlemen Studio

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Wooden Boxes by Jonah Takagi

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Shaker Toolbox by Hallgeir Homstvedt

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Doverail-mirror & Doverail-shelf by Hallgeir Homstvedt

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Stove Chair & Domino Coat Rack by Gabriel Tan

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Petal Baskets by Gabriel Tan

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Brethren Doorstops by Gabriel Tan

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Brethren Bench by Gabriel Tan

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Dustpan by Darin Montgomery

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Handy Folding Ladder by Christopher Specce

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Handy Folding Ladder by Christopher Specce

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Handy Sweeper by Christopher Specce

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Handy Scraper by Christopher Specce

Photography by Charlie Schuck and Natasha Felker.

Leo Lei translates his passion for minimalism into his daily-updated blog Leibal. In addition, you can find uniquely designed minimalist objects and furniture at the Leibal Store.