New York-based furniture designer and architect Tanuvi Hegde is changing the way we think about furniture. Her innovative approach goes beyond aesthetics or comfort, exploring how design can actively support emotional well-being and mindful interaction. With a background in architecture, interiors, and fabrication, Hegde’s work brings together craftsmanship and thoughtful intention in every piece she creates.
Her latest work, Reflect, is part of her collection Exhibit (A): Furniture for the Anxious Being. This collection investigates how furniture can become a tool for emotional support, engaging the senses and fostering a sense of calm. Reflect is more than just a chair. Crafted from warm cherry wood with an oil finish, it features a hand-stitched leather sling seat and a leather seat cushion. But its most distinctive feature is a small steel ball bearing embedded in the armrest. This clever detail invites the user to roll the ball back and forth, creating a subtle vibration and gentle sound that transforms sitting into an interactive, meditative experience.
Designer: Tanuvi Hegde
Reflect challenges the traditional idea that furniture is simply something to sit on. Instead, it becomes a space for the user to feel present, supported, and more emotionally connected. The act of rolling the steel ball is soothing, almost like a tactile mantra, offering a moment of mindfulness amid daily stress. This sensory experience is designed to ground the sitter, making the chair a therapeutic companion rather than just an object.
Hegde’s holistic, material-driven process is evident in every element of the chair. The cherry wood frame gives the piece a grounding warmth, while the leather sling seat embraces the body, providing comfort and support. The craftsmanship is meticulous, yet the design remains approachable and inviting. The interplay between wood, leather, and steel is both beautiful and intentional, creating a dialogue between form and function that feels genuinely contemporary.
For those interested in collectable design or seeking furniture that goes beyond the ordinary, Reflect is available through Lyle Gallery in New York. Measuring 35 inches high, 32 inches wide, and 32 inches deep, it is a statement piece that fits into a living room, reading nook, or quiet corner. More than just a conversation starter, it is an invitation to slow down and reconnect with your senses. Tanuvi Hegde’s Reflect stands as a reminder that furniture can do so much more than fill a space. It can nurture, soothe, and support us in ways we might not expect. As the boundaries between art, design, and wellness continue to blur, pieces like Reflect show that the future of furniture is interactive, thoughtful, and deeply human.
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