New York-based designer Joe Doucet has launched a furniture collection, which he described as designed to last for generations.
“That idea is rarely explored, and this project was an opportunity to address it directly,” said Doucet.
Developed for Bulgarian brand Oublier, the Columns collection includes a table and bench made from materials chosen to improve with age, rather than degrade over time.
Doucet claimed the pieces “never need to be thrown away”.
“Sustainability is often discussed in terms of new materials, but the most sustainable chair is not one made from mushrooms or cork; it is a Louis XIV chair that has been cared for over generations,” Doucet explains.
The Column I table combines a solid oak base with a glass top. A shallow bowl carved into the surface provides storage for everyday items, adding function without decorative detailing.
Meanwhile, the Column II bench features oak legs and a seat upholstered in natural leather. Instead of synthetic foam, the seat uses horsehair padding, which Doucet said will not break down or lose its shape over time.
The pieces are produced in small batches by craftspeople using traditional methods that prioritise durability and repairability.
“It is an old-world approach to making that I had not directly engaged with before, and that felt meaningful,” said the designer.
He also said he made the design intentionally simple, with forms devoid of specific eras, so it remains “relevant over time”.
“The goal was to create objects that feel universal and difficult to place in time, reinforcing the idea that they are meant to endure rather than belong to a moment,” Doucet concluded.
