It’s not every day a new design range genuinely takes us by surprise. After all, how many ways is there to reimagine something as utilitarian as a coat rack?

But New Zealand-based Snelling Studio‘s latest range is originality at its best. The Hour Collection offers an unexpectedly fresh take on traditional objects, from sculptural lighting to whimsical mirrors.

An expert at operating in the space between sculpture and functional design, multi-disciplinary designer and artist Bec Snelling dreamed up the new designs on many morning and evening walks in the densely forested maunga (mountains) by her house.

These moments of quiet reflection gave her time to ponder the life-cycle of timber and observe the abstract symmetry of nature.

Her connection with New Zealand’s native forest shines in the jagged silhouette of the Olius pendants, which were directly inspired by the lancewood or horoeka tree — an unusual spindly species with a teeth-like spine and leathery leaves.

Another standout is the subtle Anther side table, while the joyous Briar mirrors were named after Bec’s late mother, combining ‘high-tech’ steel elements with handcrafted, bead-like detailing.

The finale of the collection is a dramatic coat rack like no other. Crafted from sapele mahogany and chrome, it uniquely doubles as a mirror and storage unit, hence its encompassing name: Cloak.

The innovative designs are a clear result of Snelling Studio’s years of expertise, and the brand’s beginnings as a father’s daughter brand back in 2007.

And despite the studio being now under Bec’s leadership, her father Douglas still got involved on the creative process for this sentimental rage.

‘This collection has revived my familiarity with stories and memories from my family’s past; it’s a nostalgic ode to all the hours we have shared and a hope for many more,’ Bec says.

In celebration of the launch, the entire Hour Collection will be on display at an exhibition titled In Residence from Wednesday August 20 to August 22 at a heritage home in Mt Eden.

Explore the Hours Collection by Snelling Studio online here.