Inside the Collaboration: Schoolhouse x FOLK
Here at Schoolhouse, we have the privilege of working next door to a number of inspiring brands who share our commitment to purposeful design and local manufacturing. One of those is FOLK, a Portland-based studio that dreams up thoughtful and well crafted lighting and furniture.
Like the lighting that comes from our own Portland factory, their designs are made to last with the highest quality materials. Recently, we asked them to design an all-new collection just for us — one that combines simple utilitarian styles with elegant details and materials. The name: Caldera.
To give this new lighting collection a warm welcome, we asked FOLK Founder Richard Koehler to share a little bit about how the collaboration came to be. (Our VP of Design, Katie Elliott, makes a cameo appearance, too!)
Tell us about the collaboration. How did it come about?
RK: Funny story: When I graduated from college about 10 years ago, the first job that I interviewed for was at Schoolhouse. I ended up taking a different job, but I’ve followed Schoolhouse ever since because I've always admired the brand. The way Schoolhouse uses materials and high quality craftsmanship is very much aligned with FOLK.
There aren’t a whole lot of Portland furniture and lighting companies, so it's a small community. I approached you all at Schoolhouse with this collection, and that was the beginning of the Caldera collection.
What similarities do you see between the Schoolhouse and FOLK philosophies?
RK: The FOLK and Schoolhouse philosophies are, at their origin, very similar. We’re both Portland companies. It’s simple and honest design with delightful moments. The craftsmanship and quality are top tier. I don’t work with a lot of companies, so finding ones that align on craftsmanship and materiality is really important.
I love that Schoolhouse has a little more playfulness to its designs, with its use of colors and shapes.
What inspired the design of the Caldera lighting collection?
RK: I wanted to create a really nice, warm pendant with a hand-blown glass diffuser that hides the light bulb. A lot of times, you have these beautiful pendants, and they might photograph well, but when you’re sitting at the table, you look up and see this glaring light bulb. It’s not as pleasing. So, this lighting pairs a beautiful glass diffuser, which is this nice matte white, with a big, proportioned shade.
Beyond that, it was about getting those proportions just right. People say it all the time, but I’m going to say it: It’s really hard to get simple design right. This is one of my favorite designs, and it has a lot to do with the simplicity of form and appropriate, handsome proportions.
One other source of inspiration was this idea of a family you could mix and match. So there are three sizes of shades, and they’re the same shades you would use for a pendant, flush mount, wall sconce, table lamp, or floor lamp.
Can you share more about the design process and how the collaboration unfolded?
RK: I’m a very hands-on designer. My process starts with sketching — and then I’m quickly in my shop looking at forms and material. If you can get those two things right, it’s kind of like the Holy Grail of design.
As far as our collaborative process, I often use the analogy of an author and a good editor. Katie [Schoolhouse’s VP of Design] was a great editor. So while the design started from my ideas, it very much became collaborative. I really enjoy that relationship because otherwise, I’m just in this bubble with my ideas bouncing around.
KE: I love the choices we made in terms of sheen and finish. We have this lovely all-brass offering— it’s like candlelight when it’s lit. Then there’s True Black with brass on the inside, so you get that play of the materials with a warm glow. There are also two painted finishes — Shell White and Lichen — both with white on the inside to bounce the light around. All of that is paired with this beautiful matte glass shade.
RK: Yeah, the finishes are much more muted and soft, which adds to the glow of the brass.
Why Caldera?
KE: We were always so inspired by the open shape of this lighting. I had gone on a recent trip to Crater Lake, which was formed by a volcanic eruption — the large crater it created is called a caldera. So, when I look at that open shape paired with the glass island, it reminds me of Crater Lake.
What are some details you want people to know? What do you love about the collection?
RK: I think this collection, more than any other collection I’ve done, really creates ambience. It’s in the material, but it’s also down to little details like the dimmer switches that let you get that light just perfect.
I also love how universal this collection is because it’s offered in all these sizes and colors. It’s just so versatile. And the design is timeless — it’s hard for me to envision this collection going out of style.
