When most think of repurposed objects and upcycled materials, they think of things like shipping pallets, suitcases and even little day-to-day goods like oatmeal cans and picture frames.
The artisans of Autum, though, have a slightly different take on the tried-and-true theme of “one man’s trash, another man’s treasure”: their largest and most pronounced offering is The Heretic, an achingly beautiful hand-built and sewn black tufted Italian leather bench, artfully crafted from what once was… wait for it… an 18-gauge steel coffin.
Macabre? Sure. But also gorgeous, if you ask us. Lest you raise an eyebrow, the craftsmen behind the distinctive brand explain their stance rather well:
“We only produce goods that we find infatuating. Production is limited, a labor of love; we would rather please a handful then pacify a population. Designing products that we use and love is our declaration of war on boring in celebration of the irreverent.”
While it’s true that the Heretic in particular might not be for everyone — and that’s a good thing, since it was only created in a limited run of three, all of which have been sold — those who get it undoubtedly get it.
And for those who don’t, Autum also offers a host of sleek and supple leather goods from wallets to notebook sleeves, not to mention perhaps the coolest bike we’ve ever seen. To cruise through the shop might be a bit of a walk on the dark side, but let’s face it: you know you want to.
Photo credits: Autum
