While I typically dismiss what might be called "art furniture," this Anachron series, by Istanbul-based Studio Lugo, really caught my eye. It's as if they mashed up elements from Gerritt Rietveld, the Bauhaus, Memphis and 1980s Postmodernism, then ran it all through a 2025 color palette.

I'm reminded of how subjective this branch of furniture design can be; those elements listed above are what I see, but they're not at all what the firm cites as influences.

Rooted in inspiration from Anatolian rituals, the design elements of Anachron carry visual traces from different time periods and cultural influences. The Anachron Series draws from Anatolia's rich agricultural past, where farming practices shaped civilization starting in 8.300 BC. Anatolia's vibrant traditions in ceramics, metalworking, woodworking, embroidery, and quilt making offer a deep well of cultural inspiration.

The term "Anachron" is derived from "anachronism," which refers to something that is out of its proper time period—either appearing too early or too late in history. The name directly reflects a feeling of timelessness, suggesting a harmony of the past and the future where historical elements are reinterpreted in a futuristic context. The collection poses a question: How might ancient wisdom manifest in contemporary objects? The answer emerges in thoughtfully crafted pieces that ground cultural memory in daily life.

Through Anachron, Studio Lugo channels millennia of craft traditions into present-day forms. The collection marks a departure from ornate maximalism of historical design motifs. In Anachron, one can see a movement toward a modern sense of refinement, weaving historic motifs into minimalist contemporary silhouettes. This harmony of contrasts creates a striking visual narrative that transcends time, inviting viewers to reflect on the continuity of cultural heritage.

Metalwork, woodwork, and weaving techniques inform every design choice. Across eleven made-to-order pieces, materiality is used to tell stories of cultural exchange. Each piece thoughtfully incorporates materials chosen for their historical significance.

Totem

Console

Stool

Stool, Hand-Carved Edition

Center Grid

Wall

Mini

Bench

Bar Pendant

Globe

NOTES ON MATERIALS:

- Luminous Kutnu fabric by Kutnia Crafted Fabrics, once gracing Ottoman palaces, brings its characteristic stripes and sheen to upholstered elements. Kutnu is a type of silk fabric woven only in Gaziantep, Eastern Turkey. The fabric's raw material is floss silk, rayon and cotton thread, which is generally used in local clothes, bags and gifts. This is the first time it has been used as upholstery for collectible furniture designs.

- Hand-brushed horsehair juxtaposed with sleek stainless steel creates a dialogue between the organic and the industrial.

- Stainless steel elements aim to evoke today' contemporary industrial era, injecting modern elements into craft-forward design.

- The use of horsehair also nods to Anatolia's rich histories and traditions of Equestria and practices of herding domestic livestock.

- Warm Roupala Tree veneer adds depth to lighting and furniture pieces through its intricate, lacewood grain patterns.

The Anachron series is being unveiled this week at Alcova Milano.