The Noon lounge chair (L) blends ergonomics with minimalist design in single- and two-seater configurations. Made from American ash, it can be stained well (R).

Murubi in Vadodara is a contemporary design brand led by Shwetha Iyengar and Jaymin Panchasara. Known for their expertise in crafting timeless, functional furniture and products, it focuses on enhancing everyday life.

Murubi’s handcrafted pieces are made in India, with a strong emphasis on storytelling, functionality and fostering appreciation for one’s surroundings. The name ‘Murubi’ is a blend of “Mulu/ Muru”, meaning complete and wholesome in Tamil, and “bi”, derived from ‘be’, symbolising life and feeling.

Murubi’s latest, Collection 3 titled ‘The Sweet Life’, celebrates the beauty of leisure and cherishing the present moment. The collection features lounge chairs, centre tables, bookshelves and chairs, all crafted primarily from solid American ash.

Murubi has a long history of working with American hardwoods. Its pieces typically feature American ash and walnut, chosen for their beauty and versatility. The design duo also explores the unique characteristics of various wood species to highlight their natural beauty.

American ash (Fraxinus species) is a light-coloured wood, with the sapwood ranging from white to yellow, and the heartwood varying from light to dark brown. Known for its distinct grain, American ash is ideal for bending and turning, and it offers exceptional durability.

Ash wood is generally straight-grained, with a coarse uniform texture. Its appearance has a very strong grain contrast between the softer summer growth and hard winter growth rings. No two pieces are ever the same in appearance.

It is a strong, tough wood with excellent hardness, making it versatile for both hand tools and machines. Ash can be stained in various colours, adding flexibility to design needs.

For more information on American ash and its sourcing, visit the American Hardwood Export Council’s (AHEC) website: www.americanhardwood.org.

Collection 3

The Noon lounge chair blends ergonomics with minimalist design. Its clean lines and asymmetrical design include an extra-wide side surface that doubles as a side table. Available in both single- and two-seater configurations, it adapts to any space.

Additionally, the wide side surface in the single seater can be positioned on either the right or left-hand side, providing customisation options to suit individual preferences and room layouts.

The Noon soft lounge chair is an upholstered version of the Noon lounge chair. It features cushions in four colours: Blush, Summer, Snow, and Midnight. The soft cushions offer comfort and style, perfect for lounging and relaxing.

The Normal coffee table is simple yet elegant, crafted entirely from solid wood with two slabs of varying sizes. The Ottoman version features a cushioned top, making it versatile for various indoor settings.

With geometric lines and compact armrests, the Resident chair embodies durability and comfort. The arms are designed to fit under most tables. It features a fabric backrest that can be removed for easy washing, adding practicality to its beauty.

Designed from solid ash, the Two-fold bookshelf features support resembling a half-folded paper, adding an artistic touch while ensuring structural integrity. It is available in three variants, suitable for different spatial needs.

Design process

Murubi typically use local teak for prototypes due to its easy availability and costing, which allows Jaymin and Shwetha to fine-tune their designs effectively. Once finalised, they craft the final pieces in ash.

The duo emphasizes a thorough design process that includes ideation, prototyping, and refining. “The initial stages involve research, ideation, and sketching. After building scaled-down models, we refine the design for production, ensuring functionality and aesthetic appeal,” says Jaymin.

Murubi’s designs are deeply rooted in simplicity and quality, creating pieces that bring comfort and beauty into any space. It places great importance on sustainable materials.

Jaymin and Shwetha have chosen American ash for the collection due to its environmental credentials and low impact throughout its lifecycle. The brand’s commitment to responsible sourcing resonates with consumers who value eco-conscious choices in furniture design.

“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,” adds Shwetha.

As Murubi continues to grow, they are exploring new possibilities with other American hardwoods, such as walnut, which they believe will bring added richness to future collections.

The demand for sustainable, high-quality materials in furniture design is growing, and Murubi is excited about the future of American hardwoods. For more information, visit www.murubi.in.

AHEC is the leading international trade association for the US hardwood industry, representing exporters and major production trade associations. It promotes American hardwoods in over 50 export markets, providing architects, designers and end-users with technical information about various species and sources.

The Two-fold bookshelf (L) features support resembling a half-folded paper. The Ottoman features a cushioned top, making it versatile for various indoor settings.

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