“Simply elegant” is the best way to describe Guilherme Wentz’s hand-crafted furnishings. The Brazilian born designer aims to provide nature-inspired pieces with an emphasis on contemporary elements, to manufacture a feeling of serenity in any space. Wentz has been named one of the New York Times T-Magazine’s “Rising Design Studios of the Americas” and has finally opened the Wentz flagship showroom in São Paulo about a year ago. He also recently consulted in the design concept for the new Sossego showroom at 200 Lexington in New York City. Introducing this week’s Maker Monday, Guilherme Wentz.
Hanging gracefully on opposing sides of the archway, sit the Corda Wall Lamps. Corda, meaning in “rope” in Portuguese is the inspiration behind this collection of light fixtures.
Andrew Joseph: What are three words to describe where you live?
Guilherme Wentz: I live in Brazil, so it is beautiful, casual, and chaotic.
Andrew: What are your ideal weekend plans?
Guilherme: I can think of two contrasting but equality ideal scenarios: an isolated cabin by the sea with my girlfriend or just alone in the studio, listening to music and designing new things. (picture)
Andrew: What was your first job?
Guilherme: Before I had any interest in design, I went to business school and worked as an intern for an accounting office. It was so far removed from what I do today that it seems like another life. But it took that non-conformity with my former weekly routine and work subjects that drove me to seek a creative career path.
Placed atop the side table, is the Copa lamp. What makes this contemporary lamp unique is the small bowl at the base designed to hold daily objects such as glasses.
Andrew: How would you describe your personal style?
Guilherme: I pursue simplicity and seek comfort with almost no concern about social formalities.
Andrew: Favorite piece of clothing you own?
Guilherme: A few weeks ago I bought a pair of wide silk trousers and now I don’t know how I ever lived without them. It just cannot get any more comfortable, lighter, and more fresh-feeling than that. So last week I bought the same trousers in several different colors.
This couch is called the Baixo sofa, meaning “low”. The texture and structure of this piece is made by 3D-knit coverings, which shows a seamless and smooth surface that creates pure comfort.
Andrew: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
Guilherme: I have always been a fan of Bang & Olufsen designs and they are my dream client as a designer.
Andrew: How would you define your work in three words?
Guilherme: Simple, casual, poetic.
Andrew: How do you define beauty?
Guilherme: Naturally simple.
About The Maker | WENTZ is a Brazilian brand of furniture, lamps and objects design that aims to transform environments into contemplative extensions of nature, under a simple and contemporary perspective, extolling the “terra brasilis” and its tropicality.
Andrew Joseph is a regular contributing editor for ASPIRE DESIGN AND HOME magazine. See more of his work here.
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