Brent Warr’s work possesses a unique structural and aesthetic style. While his experience in design and architecture lends to his process, he finds much of his inspiration in the unconventional. A furniture builder out of Atlanta, Georgia, Warr endeavors to produce pieces that balance striking approaches with traditional traits. He creates most of his furniture products and accessories using a mix of wood, paint, and plaster; the result – an intriguing, timeless sculpture. Introducing this week’s Maker Monday, Brent Warr.
Warr’s Woodfin collection exhibits his signature style with distinct structural formations and quirky designs.
Andrew Joseph: What are three words to describe where you live?
Brent Warr: Cozy, curated, basement (laughs). I’m surrounded by art and furniture that I have slowly collected over the past few years. I currently live in a small 400 sq.ft studio basement apartment so that I can afford to have an artist studio space large enough to create and prototype new and existing designs.
Andrew: What’s a guilty pleasure you have?
Brent: Nerds gummy clusters. I swear this is the best thing to come to the candy market in YEARS. If you haven’t discovered this tasty treat yet, Nerds recently made their gummy ropes into bite-sized pieces and packaged them in small baggies. If Nerds/Wonka needs an unpaid or paid spokesperson, I would be happy to oblige.
Andrew: What are your ideal weekend plans?
Brent: Sleep in until around 9am then head to the gym to get a nice workout in. After that, grab a bite at Chipotle then go on a long walk with my partner, stopping at a patisserie or shop to grab a quick snack. Yes, I have a bit of a sweet tooth. Temperature wise it’s sunny and 65 degrees F. Not too hot, not too cold. All you need is a light jacket.
Offbeat yet accessible, Warr’s Lucille Floor Mirror is a practical piece of art.
Andrew: What’s one thing people don’t know about you?
Brent: I collect Nutcrackers. I kind of love it, and I kind of hate it haha. My mother and grandmother started buying me one every single Christmas for an unknown reason when I was around 2 years old, I am assuming that I just had a fondness for them when I received my first one. By the age of 16, I had around 30 nutcrackers and realized that whelp, I guess I collect nutcrackers now. I love how they are made and the fact that something that used to be practical and useful was turned into collectible art.
Andrew: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
Brent: I would love to work with a designer on a large-scale Hospitality project in 2022. Either something in the lobby, like my collection of a few of my new Oyster Chandeliers creating a massive lighting feature or possibly doing a custom floor mirror like my Lucille Floor Mirror for the guestrooms.
The Margaret side table created by Warr adds a simple, modernistic flair to its environment.
Andrew: What are you most proud of?
Brent: Betty, my 1986 white Ford F-150 extended bed truck. My dad always gives me hell about buying it because it’s somewhat of a money pit, but I love it. It is perfect for transporting lumber, art, or a furniture piece to clients locally. It also brings me joy just riding in it. I love the white exterior paired with the interior cabin being completely baby blue. Everything from the dash to the ceiling, to the seat –which has a large tear in the leather that is one of many things needing to be repaired, are all that soft baby blue color. Even though the radio doesn’t work yet, and the truck only has working heat and no a/c, I still love her and think she’s worth every penny I paid.
Andrew: What are your beauty secrets?
Brent: KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid). I wake up in the morning and shower and wash my face with a simple cleanser. I then put on Kiehls Ultra Facial Crème with spf. 30, gotta keep those UV Rays in check, and use Kiehls Crème de Corps Body Lotion for the rest of my body. Then at night I wash my face with the same cleanser and then use Ordinary Brand retinol serum 3-4 nights a week (best retinol on the market for the money, $10!). On the other nights I just use a hyaluronic acid serum before bed, since it is less harsh.
About The Maker | Brent Warr is a furniture designer/maker specializing in sculptural art, collectible furniture, and lighting, using plaster as his main medium. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, he uses unconventional materials typically not found in the use of furniture and lighting design. Brent views that his designs and art should make others feel a bit uncomfortable or form an opinion. Pushing them to view something in a new light or helping them reach a more imaginative part of themselves. Graduating from the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at Auburn University, he went to work as a Designer for Meyer Davis Studio and Yabu Pushelberg in New York City. There, his eye for design evolved as he was exposed to global collective design and high-end clientele. Since then, he has made a strong effort to submerge himself in his work, drawing influences from past and present artists and designers. Some inspiration for his work can be drawn from that of Brâncuși, Cy Twombly Jr., and Radcliffe Bailey. Brent focuses on the total composition of a piece rather than its individual parts. The mediums create one large image, allowing his experiences to manifest in the form of line, color, and texture.
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