‘Swell’ benches and stools by Rachel Griffin for Earnest Studio

Produced upside-down, the fabric (moulded felt) is used as a bowl into which liquid polyurethane foam is poured, while an elm wood frame is suspended directly above in a jig. The foam slowly expands, rising out of the felt and through the form of the frame, binding the two parts together.

“This process results in fewer steps, less material and less time-consuming handwork.” says Griffin. “Because the foam fills the fabric, no material is wasted as cutoffs. Because the foam acts as a binding agent between the fabric and frame, no additional adhesives or sewing are necessary. Lastly, since the foam expands in a slightly different way each time, each piece is unique.”