In my neck of the woods, it’s not uncommon to spot huge elk, moose, and deer. A large male of any of these species commands attention, most often due to the amazing beauty of their mature antlers, which branch into shockingly fine points. Besides their size and curvature, an ungulate’s rack is captivating because of its intersections—as interconnected as a family tree or sentence diagram. Much of this sublime charm exists in Branches, a lighting system designed and crafted by Brothers Dressler.

Branches Lighting. Manufactured by Brothers Dressler.

Walnut Scraps Add Up to a Graceful Chandelier

Built using discarded extras from local mills and salvaged hardware, Branches hangs in the air like a complex web or root system—“the pattern of growth found throughout nature and mathematics.” The rhizomatic structure of Branches may put viewers in mind of undulating winds, oscillating waves, or the underground tunnels of burrowing creatures. Following any of Branches’ branches is as mesmerizing as snaking one’s way through a labyrinth. The walnut chandelier is charming, earthy, and sculptural.

Branches comes in different sizes and configurations, dependent on the materials found by the brothers of Brothers Dressler (twin woodworkers, as it turns out—like characters out of a forested fairy tale world). The pendant light is illuminated with low-voltage halogen lamps. Branches is a green product that benefits from the bits and pieces of its salvaged wood, since each segment leads to the next in an organic fashion, as if the lamp itself is growing—the flower of the Dresslers’ artistry.

About the Manufacturer: Brothers Dressler makes furniture “that explores material, process and purpose.” The company was founded by twin woodworkers Jason and Lars Dressler, who craft furniture from upcycled and salvaged objects: “The repurposing of salvaged material into original furniture is a sensible response to problems caused by excessive consumption.” Brothers Dressler treats their “waste” materials as an opportunity, “embracing the constraints inherent in each project.” They design and produce all their custom furniture in their Toronto workshop. The Brothers Dressler portfolio includes sofas, lounges, rockers, benches, tables, shelving, beds, lighting, and curiosities.