VarandaArgila

Attentive, the gaze pursues the richness of the nature, and...

...it finds on the earth, and in its many layers of different shades, inspiration. One of them is ceramics, the millenary technique that transforms clay into art and brings in the strength of the feminine in the matter. In indigenous culture, women are the ones who extract clay from the igarapés and then knead it under the curious eyes of children. Survivor of time, ceramics is perpetuated by the work of dedicated and delicate hands, joining a secular knowledge to the contemporary production.

Restless researcher, the architect Juliana Pippi, focused on this theme to create the 2021 exhibit concept of DonaFlor Furniture’s newest outdoor collection, to be launched in partner stores, in ten cities spread across Brazil. Named Varanda Argila, the area, which even got a soundtrack composed on piano by composer Luiz Gustavo Zago, praises the earthy tones, the sucupira wood, the handmade and even the bird house Gotinha, icon of the brand that, this year became the abode of the joão- de-barro, with the poetic vision of the bird that makes this raw material its home.

With living and dining areas, Varanda Argila not only sharpens the senses but also brings us closer to nature: quartzite residues cover the wall; curtains of piaçava fringes hang from the ceiling; and on the tables it’s possible to see the tops made with clay. "Juliana's project connects the traditional knowledge of manual making with the industry's artisanal technical skills," says Mila Rodrigues, product curator at DonaFlor.

In addition to Mila and Juliana, Marcelo Yamasita, managing partner of the company, is part of the creative team, whose mission is also to innovate. This year, they developed together up to the synthetic fiber yarn in the tone of 2021, the Terracotta, and its variations of light and dark. Among the selected furniture, there are gems such as the table Argila (“Clay”), a collab between the trio and the designer Carolina Peraca, responsible for making, one by one, the high temperature ceramic pieces, embedded in the top as gemstones.

Daniela Ferro dedicated herself, this time, to designing furniture and objects in partnership with a community of smiths. Named Tiê, the line carries the thrill of handmade process by the hands of potters, who have formed luminaires, flower pots, and side table tops, combined with aluminum. "Each item is unique and contains stories. We create furniture not only thinking about ergonomics, but also the feeling it will provide", says Marcelo.

The 2021 collection brings together other expressive names of our design: Sérgio J. Matos signs the sculptural armchair Manta Negra, and Rejane Carvalho Leite, the car-bar Colibri, the small armchairs Aerada and the curved back chairs, Itapuã. "While Sérgio's armchair has generous shapes, Rejane's is more compact. Both, however, were thought to give the feeling of a hug, a demonstration of affection that is so lacking in these times of social isolation", comments Mila.

It is also worth mentioning the designer Eduardo Borém, who debuts in the brand with the Vanuíre collection, composed of painted aluminum, glass and rope. From this line, Juliana Pippi elected the coffee table. In addition to these launches, successful products from the portfolio complement the exhibition space, such as the Gael sofa, the Loop and Camomila hangers, and the Contorno and Pula Corda luminaires.

The earthy tones, present even in plants, dictate the rhythm and revere the ancestry in the fluidity in the shapes and materials, such as that of the Ara carpet, in organic forms. In the playful setting, the hanging curtains of piaçava merge to the macramé made by the brand, adding harmoniously to other elements: basketry of the artisan community of Cerro Azul, PR; Carolina Peraca's dishware; outdoor blanket of Pia Laus, developed exclusively for the project and, finally, the sculptural and great impact pieces of Domingos Tótora.

As idealized by Juliana Pippi, Varanda Argila expresses DonaFlor's DNA and expertise, combining design with craftsmanship refinement. So, our invitation is to experience this rich experience and, with it, to transform the house into a refuge, to welcome family and friends with comfort and affection.