the designs
Libby Schrum’s furniture designs are inspired by the simplicity and function of both the Early American antique furniture she grew up with and the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic she has come to appreciate. Each piece is designed and executed with balance in mind - the balance between function and aesthetics, craft and design, hand work and machine processes. Intrigued by the patterns of day-to-day living, Libby develops unique and artful design solutions that address functional requests; quiet and sophisticated objects that represent the sensibilities and soul of the designer and equally satisfy the dreams and vision of the client.
the designer
As a transplant to New England, Libby has developed an aesthetic that marries her passion for the modern with her reverence for the tradition of craft. In addition to creating custom furniture for her clientele, she has built furniture for the luxury yacht industry, has taught woodworking at both the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship and Anderson Ranch, and has volunteered as an instructor, teaching children woodworking.
A native of no one place in particular, living in different regions and experiencing the culture of each place has had an impact on the way she designs furniture. Born in Pennsylvania, she grew up in Atlanta, attended high school in Fort Worth, and went to college at Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. Disillusioned after a summer of interviewing for jobs in higher education, she returned to Southwestern to engage in a yearlong study of art and design, during which she designed and built her first full-scale piece of furniture. She was hooked, and consequently, moved to Maine to study furniture making at the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship. In pursuit of more rigorous design training she earned a Masters of Fine Arts in furniture design from Rhode Island School of Design, returning to Maine to set up shop. With each change of scenery, she has met new people, been enlightened by innovative ways of thinking and nurtured her creativity in a number of styles.
Libby Schrum received the prestigious 2010 John D. Mineck Furniture Fellowship. This grant is awarded annually by the John D. Mineck Foundation in partnership with the Society of Arts & Crafts in Boston to individuals who represent a great new talent and demonstrate dedication to the craft of furniture making. Her work has been featured in the New York Times, Fine Woodworking Magazine, 500 Chairs, and blogs about furniture and design.
the accolades
Fine Woodworking Magazine article "Woodworkers on the Rise" December 2015
New York Times article "Please Touch, Say's the Bench" August 2014
Furniture: "Furniture I Love" blog
Craftsy: 'Achieve Worry-Free Furniture Glue-Ups" blog
Cool Hunting: "Six Piggy Banks for Aduts"
