THE DESIGN EXPLORER
Our Stone Yard line of luxury furniture and décor features original, functional pieces that double as sculptural works of art and are thoughtfully crafted to be kept and revered forever. Stunning style is beautifully offset by durable design, and all pieces can be used indoors or out. At the helm of the creativity that brings each product to life is Stone Yard, Inc. founder and head designer Mitch Brean, who with his team of expert designers, sculptors, and highly skilled artisans, meticulously handcraft and finish each custom piece from conception to creation.
As a painter and artisan himself, Mitch is drawn to shape, color, and texture. He remembers a time when he couldn’t find artwork he liked and could afford, so he did what any true artist would have done: painted his own canvases. While in this case Mitch was his own best resource, he also thoroughly enjoys the fresh perspective that comes from working with fellow designers who share his appreciation for all-things artful. “Collaborating has opened my eyes to different ways to approach design,” he says. “It’s all good.” In fact, he adds, many Stone Yard products were born out of a collaboration with a designer.
Mitch’s lifelong love of world travel, modern art, and organic textures finds its way into Stone Yard designs. He has collected inspiration from multiple adventures, including trips to the Seychelles, Tahiti, Costa Rica, Mozambique, and Key West. Mitch and team draw from these travel influences, each resulting in a design that vividly evokes a sense of place. (The Zamora Fire Bowl echoes the distinct silhouette of a West-African drum. The Boulder Fire Table was inspired by the large rock formations found in Southern California desert land). “Traveling has opened my eyes to the beauty that each country and culture have contributed to the design world,” says Mitch. “This has been such an inspiration.”
When he’s not infusing his passion for stone, shape, and art into designs for Stone Yard, Mitch lends his creative talent and vision to Carlsbad & Co.’s portfolio of home design brands and product categories, all of which, like Stone Yard, are committed to craftsmanship and quality, as well as the customization capabilities that can add a personalized touch to each piece. “It’s a pretty big deal that we actually do our own manufacturing and we always have. That really makes us unique,” says Mitch. “With our experience and manufacturing expertise, we are able to do everything from modifying current designs to doing totally custom collaborations. We can do anything.” One time Mitch got a call from a designer asking if there was any way he could turn one of Stone Yard’s products into a bathroom vanity. “Of course the answer was
yes.”
While each Carlsbad & Co. brand in addition to Stone Yard offers its own unique product assortment, the one thing they all have in common is a foundation rooted in good design. Because when the design is good, the quality is right there with it. “Everything is better with a dose of good design. If I’m out looking for a pressure cooker, I’ll choose design first, then function,” declares Mitch. “To me, good design means good 30 years from now, not just until the next trend comes along.”
