Refractory

Refractory is a furniture, lighting and object design studio based in Chicago. Refractory reflects a distinctly contemporary American design approach. One that is born of the spirit of the American West and holds in reverence the grand forces of nature as well as a rigorous design discipline.

The Refractory wordmark features an inverted letter “R” that also doubles as the letter “y”. The word refractory means “stubborn, resistant or counter-intuitive”. The R is also used as a stand alone monogram or maker’s mark.

In a foundry, refractory materials are used to resist the high temperatures encountered in furnaces and kilns. They are durable, stubborn materials that can handle all kinds of pressure. The signature yellow is derived from the colour of sulphur crystals and powder. Sulphur is a common element used in foundry processes.