Maverick Style: Inspired by the West

Commemorating Western Style in a New Way

As I made my way through the Western Design Conference in Jackson last month, I came across an exhibitor unlike any other at the show. Mona Hoffman of Rough Edges Design was showcasing contemporary table lamps hand crafted out of concrete. I tend to be more traditional when it comes to home decor, but her lamps really caught my eye. They are simple, elegant, and yet rustic. I especially liked her "Jackson" Lamp, a limited edition piece created specifically for the Western Design Conference.

I could immediately relate to Mona, because like me, she left the corporate life to explore her more creative side. She discovered a book called Concrete Countertops by Fu Tung Cheng, and was drawn to the way in which Fu described the artistic possibilities of concrete. After completing his basic and advanced training classes, Mona set out to develop her newfound skills. Over the next several years, she designed and crafted concrete countertops, sinks, and fireplace surrounds for discerning designers and homeowners. Mona was successful with her new business, but she found that her most satisfying projects were those where she could design and explore more freely. At that point she decided to shift her focus into creating handcrafted concrete table lamps.

Mona believes that furniture and accessories should be beautiful, and serve as art in the same way a painting does. I agree completely! She enjoys creating pieces that are artful and functional at the same time. Rough Edges table lamps are not only functional, but sturdy and stable as well. They will stand the test of time, gaining patina from years of use. The "Found" Lamp (below, right) features recycled glass tiles and weathered washers on a sand colored base. The "Jackson" Lamp (center) includes handcast conchos and leather strips on a warm grey blocked base, commemorating Western style in a new and modern way. The "Found 2 Lamp" (right) is a taller and more slender version of the "Found" Lamp, with a slightly different design of recycled glass tiles and weathered washers on a sand colored base. These lamps would make a stunning addition to a contemporary Western style home or any modern rustic interior.

Visit the Rough Edges Design website to see more of Mona Hoffman's beautiful lamps, as well as her other home decor and furniture items. You can also see and purchase her handcrafted lamps (and some of her other pieces) on the Artful Home website.