In the world of contemporary collectible design, Erika Cross brings together intellectual rigor and sensorial delight. Based in Michigan, her practice balances technical invention, material exploration, and poetic form with remarkable agility. Her oeuvre is perhaps best captured by her celebrated Step and Bolt tables—pieces that fuse complex assembly with bold, sculptural sensibility. Each invites tactile curiosity—an urge to explore not just by sight, but through touch.
The Step table, with its clever modularity, exemplifies design as dialogue. Inspired by mechanical “step blocks” from the workshop, the table features two distinct forms—a wedge and a cylinder—that interlock in multiple ways. This duality allows users to adapt the table’s height and configuration effortlessly, marrying utility with an ever-changing silhouette. Available in finishes such as ebonized ash, dark and natural cork, or cast resin, each variant expresses its own material identity. The palette and surface treatments speak to Cross’ devotion to materiality, inviting not just use but close examination.
Equally striking is the Bolt table, a functional meditation on the thread and collar—mechanical forms elevated to art. The Bolt’s bold central column and rotating, height-adjustable top are crafted with meticulous care, combining traditional hand-carving, modern lamination, and even 3D-printed components to create a seamless tactile experience. This hybrid process captures Cross’ core philosophy: the old and the new merged together to yield something wholly unexpected.
While her major pieces command attention, Cross also devotes her vision to more intimate scales. The Snug vessel, for example, explores material contrast and harmony within a compact volume. Two distinct materials—each with its own sensibility—are elegantly joined, provoking a sophisticated interplay of texture and tone. These smaller works highlight her fascination with dualities: soft meets hard, vibrant meets muted, stillness meets movement.
Material innovation forms the heart of Cross’ language. Whether working with sustainable cork, hand-cast eco-resins, or reclaimed wood, she selects components that elevate functionality while aligning with contemporary ideas of environmental mindfulness. Her approach melds high craftsmanship with visionary form, earning her international recognition—including awards from NYCxDESIGN and the ISFD Innovation + Design competition.
Erika Cross’ creations are more than furnishings; they are narrative sculptures that invite interaction, contemplation, and lasting connection. Each piece offers not only visual splendor, but a dynamic rapport between object, space, and collector.
Photos | Erika Cross Studio
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