Get tickets to Dwell Open House: Los Angeles
SubscribeSign In
z
Collection by Zach Edelson

A Husband and Wife Duo Designing Beautiful Homewares in Rich South American Hardwoods

In our March issue, we explore how Argentine architects Nicolas Tovo and Teresa Sarmiento built a Buenos Aires home—filled with recycled materials—for themselves and their three young children. That thriftiness extends to Sarmiento, the toys and homewares business that Teresa founded: she uses wood leftover from NET, the furniture and design company where Nicolas works. Click through to see some of their products and learn more!

View 9 Photos
Sticotti cites a mixture of design inspiration from Japan, Scandinavia, and European designers who emigrated to the Unites States. A simplicity and honest expression of materials is evident in this coatrack made from peteribí and lapacho, both South American woods.
Sticotti cites a mixture of design inspiration from Japan, Scandinavia, and European designers who emigrated to the Unites States. A simplicity and honest expression of materials is evident in this coatrack made from peteribí and lapacho, both South American woods.
Sticotti collaborates closely with Tovo in the design and production of their pieces; six to seven designers and administrators work in NET's offices while an equal number of employees work in a separate workshop, also in Buenos Aires. The wall-mounted library seen here is made from cedar and platinum peteribí.
Sticotti collaborates closely with Tovo in the design and production of their pieces; six to seven designers and administrators work in NET's offices while an equal number of employees work in a separate workshop, also in Buenos Aires. The wall-mounted library seen here is made from cedar and platinum peteribí.
Most of NET's products are sold through Argentine retailers and NET's own showroom in Buenos Aires. However, the Banco V bench—also made from peteribí—is available through Design Within Reach for U.S. customers. Wood leftover from NET's production doesn't go to waste, thanks to the efforts of Tovo's wife, architect Teresa Sarmiento.
Most of NET's products are sold through Argentine retailers and NET's own showroom in Buenos Aires. However, the Banco V bench—also made from peteribí—is available through Design Within Reach for U.S. customers. Wood leftover from NET's production doesn't go to waste, thanks to the efforts of Tovo's wife, architect Teresa Sarmiento.
In 2014, Teresa began collaborating with her sister on Sarmiento, which produces toys, artwork, and home accessories. Teresa says both she and NET "were shocked with all the disposal of good wood" during the furniture production process, "so we decided to do something meaningful with it."
In 2014, Teresa began collaborating with her sister on Sarmiento, which produces toys, artwork, and home accessories. Teresa says both she and NET "were shocked with all the disposal of good wood" during the furniture production process, "so we decided to do something meaningful with it."
Teresa fashions Sarmiento's prototypes in her basement workshop, then collaborates with a small team to fabricate them. The up-and-coming company sold almost 1,000 items—such as the desk set seen here—in 2015 alone.
Teresa fashions Sarmiento's prototypes in her basement workshop, then collaborates with a small team to fabricate them. The up-and-coming company sold almost 1,000 items—such as the desk set seen here—in 2015 alone.
Ships are a common motif in Sarmiento's toys: "Our grandfather had a very well-known shipyard of sailboats," says Teresa, and "we grew up using it as a playground. So wood is a very familiar material for us. [It's] natural that we wanted to recreate in an abstract way our childhood."
Ships are a common motif in Sarmiento's toys: "Our grandfather had a very well-known shipyard of sailboats," says Teresa, and "we grew up using it as a playground. So wood is a very familiar material for us. [It's] natural that we wanted to recreate in an abstract way our childhood."
When it comes to product testing, Sarmiento has no shortage of willing volunteers: Teresa's children Manuel (age 6), Julian (age 3), and Clara (age 1) join Teresa's sisters son Burno (age 3) in playing with the toys. The ships' rough forms were very intentional: "It was really enlightening for us to see them playing with wooden pieces that still weren't formal blocks...only wooden pieces that they found in the carpentry workshop," says Teresa.
When it comes to product testing, Sarmiento has no shortage of willing volunteers: Teresa's children Manuel (age 6), Julian (age 3), and Clara (age 1) join Teresa's sisters son Burno (age 3) in playing with the toys. The ships' rough forms were very intentional: "It was really enlightening for us to see them playing with wooden pieces that still weren't formal blocks...only wooden pieces that they found in the carpentry workshop," says Teresa.
Their products, like the calendar seen here, are mostly available in Argentine musuem shops and select stores, though they plan to expand to online sales in February.
Their products, like the calendar seen here, are mostly available in Argentine musuem shops and select stores, though they plan to expand to online sales in February.