For any Francophiles, oenophiles, or Franco-oenophiles, the Rialto bench is the green product of your dreams. Constructed of recycled oak wine barrel staves from French wine barrels, the Rialto bench is the creation of family-owned business Stil Novo. The look of Stil Novo’s products depends on the beauty of each wine barrel: “The solid wood of an oak wine barrel has a very distinctive element of charm that is conveyed into every object we create.” Rialto is proof of the distinctive character the material lends the object—the bench looks all the more alluring due to its imperfections.

Rialto Bench. Manufactured by Stil Novo.

Bench Reinvented From French Wine Barrels

Stil Novo uses the natural arch of a barrel stave to form the curved seat of Rialto, resulting in a “particularly attractive silhouette, reminiscent of oriental flavor.” The medium size bench measures 27” long x 11 3/4” wide (top) x 18” high, although this is approximate—every bench is slightly different. Rialto brings into your home a secret history, the unknown story that crossed the Atlantic along with the individual barrel.

Just to be even more attractive to wine lovers, the top and sides of Rialto are stained with “the red wine previously held in the barrel.” To this aromatic treatment Stil Novo adds a chocolate cherry finish. The rest of the bench is stained a golden oak. The finished product smacks of warm and luscious notes—one might imagine the smell of blackberry, currant, or coffee.

Rialto is the smaller version of Stil Novo’s Emperor Seat, making it the ideal piece for smaller spaces—tuck it in a narrow foyer or use it as a bedside table. Expect a little surprise with Rialto—every bench features singular imperfections, variations in color, and fluctuations in wood grain.

About the Manufacturer: Stil Novo creates environmentally friendly home décor and gifts. The company’s design philosophy is simple: “Artistry and attention to detail.” A family business that specializes in quality woodcraft, Stil Novo gets satisfaction from recycling material “to turn it into an object of practical elegance.”