Inspired by the beauty of leisure and cherishing the present moment, Collection 3 includes lounge chairs, center tables, bookshelves, and chairs
Murubi, founded in Vadodara, India, is a contemporary design brand led by Shwetha Iyengar and Jaymin Panchasara. With an expertise in crafting thoughtfully designed, timeless furniture & products that enhance everyday life, their products are handcrafted in India with a focus on functionality, storytelling, and fostering appreciation for one's surroundings. Founded on the belief that good design has the power to enhance and elevate the quality of life, Murubi’s goal is to foster an appreciation for one’s surroundings and promote a sense of contentment through their pieces.
Their latest collection - Collection 3, titled The Sweet Life - is inspired by the beauty of leisure and cherishing the present moment. It celebrates life as a mindful, slow journey where every day offers something to savor, embracing the unique imperfections that add character. The collection includes lounge chairs, center tables, bookshelves, and chairs, primarily crafted from solid American ash. Each piece invites you to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, creating a space to enjoy life’s sweet, simple pleasures.
Murubi has a history of working with American hardwoods in their previous collections, and typically offer their pieces in American ash and walnut, subject to availability. According to the designers, they enjoy exploring the unique qualities of various wood species to showcase their natural beauty and versatility. Ash, in particular, has good hardness, making it exceptionally durable and good to work with, whether using hand tools or machines. The design duo were also drawn to ash’s ability to be stained in a range of colors, making it suitable for different design needs.
Designed by Jaymin and Shwetha, Collection 3 features the Noon & Noon Soft lounge chairs series, Normal Coffee Table & Ottoman table, Pocket pouf, Resident chair, Two Fold bookshelf and Bright Boy floor and table lamp series. The collection is primarily offered in American ash but variants in Teak and American walnut are also available. Murubi typically use local teak for prototypes due to its easy availability and costing, which allows them to fine-tune their designs effectively. Once finalized, they craft the final pieces in ash.
"The initial stages of designing a product involve a lot of research, from what’s already out there to the materials and processes that can be involved. We ideate, sketch, and build many scaled-down models to test our ideas. Then comes detailing the product, which includes the CMF (color, material, and finish) and how we can make it production-friendly. Even after the prototype is made, the process doesn’t end there. The final stage is refining the prototype and revising any other possibilities that can make the design better," said Jaymin Panchasara, Co-Founder, Murubi.
The Noon Lounge Chair - an all-wood creation boasts clean lines and simplicity. This unpretentious chair harmonizes ergonomics with a clear form, presenting a minimalist aesthetic. The plank construction of the seat and backrest is gracefully supported by a round section framework below. Its asymmetrical design includes an extra-wide side surface, serving as a convenient side table. The chair’s proportions are thoughtfully crafted to accommodate cross-legged seating and provide utmost comfort for extended reading or conversations.
The Noon Lounge Chair incorporates modular construction, which allows for two versatile variants: a single-seater and a two-seater configuration. Additionally, the wide side surface in the single-seater can be positioned on either the right or left-hand side, providing customization options to suit individual preferences and room layouts. This chair is a welcome addition to any space, from a bedroom to a living room to an office. Its tactile and warm wood composition adding a touch of nature to your interiors.
The Noon Soft Lounge Chair is an upholstered version of the Noon Lounge chair. Crafted entirely from wood, this chair marries ergonomic comfort with a clear and unpretentious form, inviting you to relax and unwind. The upholstered version has a seat and back cushion available in four exquisite colors: Blush, Summer, Snow, and Midnight. These plush cushions transform the Noon Lounge Chair into the coziest and most comfortable spot to while away the weekend hours, providing a soft and inviting embrace.
"We have worked extensively with teak previously, whether for interior projects or custom furniture pieces. We love the look of American Ash, due its beautiful grain pattern, and we wanted to experiment with a wood that offered a lighter tone for this collection. Our lounge chairs feature rounded sections, and ash is excellent with turning processes while also being very strong. Given these qualities, we decided to move forward with ash for the entire collection, embracing its unique attributes to create elegant and functional pieces," added Shwetha Iyengar, Co-Founder, Murubi.
The Normal Coffee Table is a true embodiment of simplicity and authenticity. The table gets its name from its straight perpendicular lines and is entirely made up of solid wood. The design has two wood slabs in varying sizes and grain directions, artfully separated by a uniform gap. The clean lines and balanced proportions emphasize its uncluttered aesthetics and timeless elegance. Perfectly suited for a wide range of indoor environments, from intimate homes to bustling public lounge areas, its compact size and durable construction ensure its adaptability.
Murubi have also crafted an Ottoman version of the Normal coffee table. The structure is crafted entirely from solid wood, with the tops in a soft upholstered cushion. It can be perfectly paired with their Noon Soft lounge chair and also used in a wide range of indoor environments. Additionally, it comes in a convenient flat-pack design, ensuring easy assembly and transportation while maintaining its enduring quality. The aesthetic integrity of the wood is respected and enhanced, with its natural beauty becoming the centerpiece of the attention.
"At Murubi, we believe that objects have a profound impact on our perception of space and the emotions we experience in their presence. As such, we are about beautiful, high quality and functional products that are made to last. Each product is meticulously handcrafted, with a strong focus on timelessness and utility. We believe in simple, honest, and straightforward beauty. Each step in the design process is carried out attentively. And each product is made with love in India. We believe in the power of thoughtful design and aim to spread it far and wide," added Panchasara.
The Resident is a chair that epitomizes clarity in design and durability in construction. This piece showcases a captivating geometrical pattern of lines and planes that not only add aesthetic appeal but also ensure longevity. The standout feature of this chair is its compact armrest and fabric backrest, a harmonious blend of natural warmth and modern comfort. The arms are designed to fit under most tables. The fabric backrest is not only a visual delight but also practical - it can be easily removed for washing, ensuring that the chair remains fresh and inviting.
TwoFold is a bookshelf that transforms any space into a symphony of order and refinement. Made from solid ash, this piece of furniture harmoniously marries aesthetics with functionality. This bookshelf is composed of two fundamental components: the supports and the shelves. The vertical supports reminiscent of a half-folded paper, not only add a touch of artistry but also provide sturdy structural integrity. Meanwhile, the shelves consist of two wooden planks joined at intervals with uniform spacing, offering a perfect balance of form and function.
The bookshelf comes in three versatile variants: the TwoFold Low; the TwoFold L; and the TwoFold High. Whether used as a free-standing shelving system, or against a wall, or even as a room divider, the TwoFold effortlessly adapts to your spatial needs. Assembly is a breeze with the included allen key, and its flat-pack design ensures ease of transportation and setup. According to Murubi, the design evokes the simplicity of Indian design while adding coastal calm, and the use of ash adds a unique character and aesthetic to this particular design.
Murubi placed great importance on the environmental credentials of American hardwoods. Recognizing the fact that American hardwoods have a low environmental impact throughout their entire lifecycle, Murubi took the decision to build the entire collection in American ash. The commitment to sustainable forest management aligns with their brand values and also resonates with their buyers, who are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their purchases, and appreciate products made from responsibly sourced materials.
"We absolutely love American hardwoods! Currently, we have our sights set on American walnut, which we believe will add richness to our upcoming collection. As for demand, we see significant potential both in India and globally. The trend towards sustainable and high-quality materials in furniture design is growing, and American hardwoods are increasingly appreciated for their durability, beauty, and versatility. As more consumers become conscious of the materials they choose for their homes, we expect to see a rising interest in American hardwoods, paving the way for exciting new possibilities in our future collections," concluded Iyengar.