This self-taught household furniture-maker crafts heirloom-high-quality pieces with present day charm

Todd Hewitt does not spend interest to trends. The Los Angeles–based founder of Last Ditch Design is on a mission to make furnishings that mix utility with elegance and, more importantly, stand the test of time. “I am committed to furnishing tailor-made items for those who enjoy practical layout and sustainability,” he tells Company of Home. “Each design and style is developed for people not just intrigued in how issues look, but how they perform, have on and experience just about every day that you reside with it.”

A self-taught home furnishings-maker and designer, Hewitt expended 27 yrs honing his skills for artisanal models these kinds of as Los Angeles–based Lawson-Fenning—where he served as a design and style consultant—and Henrybuilt (as the Seattle company’s director of output). “At Henrybuilt, I created a potent eye for the information and an impeccable common for quality—everything was viewed as, no part far too modest,” he claims. “With Lawson-Fenning, I attained a renewed appreciation for the joy and preservation of hand-crafted heirloom home furniture.”

In November 2022, he launched Last Ditch Layout with LD2, a 30-piece line of minimalist, made-to-purchase goods. “I used a yr prepping, planning, fabricating and acquiring the web site in advance of launching,” he claims. “My intention with this collection was to start a array of products across all groups that felt cohesive nonetheless broad more than enough to be regarded for all parts of the household.”

All of Hewitt’s circumstance wooden operates are crafted by his personal hand at LA Woodshop—a cooperative house for area artisans and makers—using a medley of long lasting uncooked resources which includes walnut, ash and oak. “I’m driven by factors of Scandinavian and midcentury structure,” he suggests. “I consider to allow the varieties and shapes—along with the fabrication techniques—be the unique factors of the patterns.”

In addition to forging each of his wood parts, Hewitt also handles almost everything from layout conceptualization and engineering to internet marketing, photography, website management and customer outreach. “I am a a person-guy band getting this present on the highway, as I took this leap with only the guidance of my spouse and two cats,” he suggests. “Fortunately, I also work with proficient local upholsterers and metal fabricators for individuals aspects.”

Along with sustainable resources, clean up traces and sculptural silhouettes reign supreme in Hewitt’s do the job. “I frequently come across myself looking outdoors of the world of furniture for inspiration,” he states. “I am particularly drawn to the geometric styles of architecture as very well as the natural and organic nature of ceramics and jewelry.”

For his aforementioned inaugural collection, he used a modern mix of modern Scandi-type styles with common Craftsman-esque accents, including a good wooden lounge chair with a constructed-in bolster cushion named Silas a credenza with sliding caned panel doorways identified as Sulaco and a curvy oversize ottoman dubbed Bebop. “These items are developed to very last generations,” suggests Hewitt. “Not only are they made from strong FSC-certified components, but their design will continue to be pertinent around time.”

Wanting in advance, Hewitt options to showcase his types at New York’s Intercontinental Contemporary Home furnishings Fair in May well, where by he can offer designers with a “hands-on experience” for the brand name. “My hope is to forge new relationships in just the inside style and design group that are developed on believe in, and the self-confidence that Previous Ditch Structure can offer one of a kind items that are remarkably targeted on excellent, performance and longevity,” he suggests.

If you want to understand extra about Todd Hewitt, take a look at Previous Ditch Design’s website or Instagram.

Homepage image: The Bebop ottoman by Very last Ditch Layout | Courtesy of Last Ditch Design and style