Arno Declercq’s Contemporary Furniture Pieces Are Dark, Weathered, And Uniquely Textured

Declercq’s passion for interiors was influenced by his upbringing. Surrounded by the world of design through fashion, furniture, and interiors, Declercq’s father, an art collector, and his mother, a fashion boutique owner, provided him an “interest in beauty” that naturally led him to undertaking a degree in interior design. With this experience behind him, the designer embarked on a series of research trips to West Africa for studies in Arican art. Spanning a number of years, these trips enabled Declercq to acknowledge the importance of cultural preservation in ancient art. This eventuated in the designer creating his own collection of artisanal items, made from atypical materials formed into interesting shapes. This includes a textured stool made from foam and rubber, an 18-legged steel dining table, and a minimal coffee table made from burned steel and Iroko wood imported from West Africa; measuring a height of just 20 centimeters. Working with a color palette of blacks, greys, and rich browns, Declercq reveals different textures and finishes in each of his hand-crafted pieces, providing a uniquely-weathered look to each individual design.