VOLYK bench and DUZHYI stool

Collectible Furniture: Timeless Elegance and Investment in Style

Collectible furniture is a category that lies on the border of art, design and utility, and usually stays in the background. As opposed to normal furniture that serves as a means to an end, collectible furniture is an art by itself and also adds monetary value. Such pieces of collectible furniture crossover from regular functional items into art, invention, and storytelling. For collectors, interior designers or art lovers, collectible furniture is pretty much a work of craftsmanship, an artist’s artistic vision, and part of culture as well.

Each piece will generally be an art piece with a high level of detail, often used the highest level of materials in and most likely produced in small editions or entirely unique models. And a little freaky in the manner of it, gives every piece a one of a kind touch that emphasizes the artisans heart in the collection, and the unique piece in the collection.

In today’s world, collectible furniture has gained worldwide notoriety over the past few decades. Throughout these years, as artists and designers merged art with functionality, people started purchasing furniture of greater relevance that elevated the overall aesthetic of their room. These pieces go beyond serving practical functions, they instill meaning within one’s home. This shift in trends is particularly appealing to modern art lovers, interior designers and those who desire more than simple décor but rather for their furniture to have a cultural or emotional context behind it.

Particular praise can be given to Victoria Yakusha for her work as she perfectly embodies the essence of furniture collectibles. Historical decor and up-to-date design can easily be interwoven through her “live design” narrative as she fuses those two worlds together. Her pieces immediately manage to connect with cultural context while providing a modern touch and style that’s pertinent in today’s society. What makes her craft unique is the fact that her furniture can be used as a centerpiece in a room, as they are specifically designed to enhance the overall decor.

Products

SONIAH coffee table long

PLYN bed

PECHYVO cabinet

KOROTUN big coffee table

PAMPUKH bed

SONIAH coffee table oval

MOVCHUN TABLE

SONIAH coffee table tall

ZTISTA nightstand

TREE OF LIFE tapestry

ZTISTA console

VORON bed

LIQUID QUIET M/L racks

LIQUID QUIET H/L racks

LIQUID QUIET S/L racks

LIQUID QUIET H/M racks

LIQUID QUIET M/M racks

LIQUID QUIET S/M racks

LIQUID QUIET H/S racks

LIQUID QUIET M/S racks

LIQUID QUIET S/S racks

PAMPUKH bench

SONIAH bench

PLYN bench

VORON bench

WAVE bench

ZTISTA bench

WAVE Coffee Table Set

WAVE Dining Table L

WAVE Dining Table S

VOLYKY BENCHES

WAVE Coffee Table M

WAVE Coffee Table S

MAKOSH tapestry

CENTER OF THE WORLD tapestry

ZTISTA table

ZTISTA table 2 legs

ZTISTA table leg

ZEMLIA TAPESTRY

Grun’ Bench

Grun’ Bed

What classifies as collectible furniture?

Collectible furniture goes beyond the ordinary, combining functionality with features of a work of art. It often has or is a sculptural component, while remaining a functional piece of furniture - usually seating or tables, but not only

Main characteristics of the collectible furniture

Exclusivity: Collectible furniture items have limited production. One of the distinctive features of collectible furniture is that each piece has a personal story or a story about the designer's cultural heritage, which is reflected in the technique, selection of materials, shape, etc. It is also worth noting that collectible furniture is always handmade, which makes each item truly unique
Quality and craftsmanship: Collectible furniture, by definition, is also a luxury item, which, among other things, determines the entire interior of the space. This implies exceptional quality and uniqueness of materials, production, as well as hand crafting
Cultural context: Being not only furniture but also art objects, which implies storytelling, collectible furniture items are designed to convey the designer’s message, be it a reference to historical facts, an interpretation of a cultural heritage phenomenon, or the use of ancient traditional techniques and/or handcrafting. Thus, collectible furniture items carry not only practical but also historical and cultural value, like art objects
Innovation: Despite the fact that one of the main approaches in the world of collectible furniture is following or, often, reviving ancient traditions, modern design, as well as modern art, cannot be imagined without the incorporation of innovative solutions or interpretation of traditional forms. This mix of the classical and the ultra-modern can be reflected in the use of innovative materials, unconventional forms, or the latest approaches in production

The combination of functionality and features inherent in art objects (sculptural elements, use of unusual or non-standard materials, the history behind the creation of the chair) distinguishes collectibles from simple design objects. For example, a chair, while remaining a functional piece of furniture, is at the same time collectible if it is also a sculpture, hand-made from a unique material.

Collections

Historical context

Collectible furniture has its roots found in the postmodern movement of the late 20th century, where decoration and function of a piece of furniture served a more artistic purpose, with the likes of Shiro Kuramata or Ettore Sottsass shaping the definition of furniture into a broader concept. A designer can build a piece of furniture that works and is bold in and embraces an artistic value.

To put it another way, the well-known Carlton room divider Ettore Sottsass made for the Memphis Group greatly challenged furniture design principles. A banal space divider is transformed into a sculptural element with bright colors and sharp geometric designs. Likewise, the Miss Blanche chair by Shiro Kuramata, made of transparent acrylic with artificial roses embedded in it, also turns furniture into sculpture and moves beyond art that serves a purpose.

These early examples formed the beginning of today's fashionable understanding of furniture as a work of art since they proved that pieces of furniture could be more than just practical. Gradually, in respectable exhibitions like Design Miami and Milan's Salone del Mobile, collectible furniture was also gaining recognition around the world. These platforms nurture the best designers' ability by constantly displaying new and inventive ideas, allowing furniture collection to be viewed as an art form.

Victoria Yakusha as a designer of collectible furniture

Victoria Yakusha, a Ukrainian designer and architect, is one of the people who is working in the direction of growing collectible furniture. She combines in her work the very “live design” philosophy which relies upon emotion, ecology, and natural materials. Yakusha’s approach to design emphasizes a rich narrative history associated with the material, lending each piece a sense of culture or history. The pieces of furniture designed by her do not only fulfill a certain role but also narrate a tale, interact with the environment, and utilize local materials and techniques to maintain cultural practices.

The handcrafted VOLYK benches and DYZHIY stools are the perfect reminder of Yakusha’s dedication to combining art and functionality in creation she is involved with, whilst the Land of Light collection shows how Yakusha combines traditional practices and techniques to create collectible, high-end, eco-friendly furniture. The designer has a passion for using sustainable materials such as ZTISTA, a signature biodegradable composite that she invented, which has already become an iconic feature. By using sustainable materials, and remaining loyal to traditional craft techniques,she transforms her works into collectible arts.

Current trends in collectible furniture

Sustainability: Environmental issues in the world today play an important role in most industries, and design is no exception. Designers give priority to environmentally friendly biodegradable materials and sustainable approaches in their work. Production from natural, local materials, the use of traditional, eco-friendly techniques, the creation of furniture items that can be recycled - all this is already becoming mandatory in design. This list can also include the creation of timeless collectible furniture items that are not subject to fast fashion and will be relevant at all times
3D printing technology: Remaining true to tradition and historical heritage, designers, however, strive to expand the boundaries. Technologies such as 3D printing and innovative materials enable designers to create collectible furniture pieces that would be impossible to create using traditional methods alone - primarily in terms of form and sustainability
Designers' cultural heritage: When creating collectible furniture, designers often draw on their cultural and historical heritage, adapting traditional techniques and materials, as well as historical themes to contemporary design. The result is furniture that tells a personal or cultural story

Collectible furniture as investment

As the value of collectible furniture only increases over time, the collectible furniture market remains consistently strong. Limited editions, uniqueness of each piece, luxurious or rare materials and handcrafting, along with the designer’s artistic vision and cultural component, make collectible furniture a good investment for collectors and art lovers, which causes it to continue to increase in value

The future of collectible furniture

The focus on sustainability, high quality, unique technologies, both old-fashioned traditional and cutting-edge cutting-edge, promises good prospects for the industry. Storytelling and cultural context also play a big role in the growth of value and value of collectible furniture. Designers like Victoria Yakusha, whose attention to cultural context demonstrates how functional furniture can be deeply emotional.

In addition to being functional, collectible furniture is art, and thus redefines the value of objects in our environment. Looking ahead to a future that includes both art collectors and design enthusiasts, collectible furniture has a bright future. This category will change the way people interact with the many objects available to them in everyday life.