In an imaginative intersection of heritage preservation, agricultural history, and contemporary collectible design, Studio Jumel has partnered with creative Ariane Ronot to unveil Le Pressoir. This striking sculptural stool breathes new life into a 1930s French cider press, effectively rescuing a heavy, utilitarian object from oblivion and translating its raw, time-worn history into a refined piece of modern furniture. Rooted deeply in the rich apple-growing and cider-making traditions of Normandy, the project bridges the gap between bygone eras of manual labor and the clean, precise methodologies of today’s artisanal craftsmanship.
At the very heart of the design is the original wooden screw mechanism of the 1930s cider press. Rather than letting the historic timber deteriorate or remain hidden away in a barn, the creators have repurposed this central element to form the stool’s four legs. Each leg carries the authentic scars of its past: the aged texture, subtle irregularities, and patinas accumulated through decades of crushing fruit and enduring the elements. These physical traces act as a narrative anchor, reminding observers of the human and mechanical labor required to produce the region’s famous beverages nearly a century ago.
To counterbalance the heavy, organic, and weathered nature of the reclaimed timber, Studio Jumel and Ariane Ronot introduced a sophisticated counterpoint: brushed and vibrated aluminum. A robust, cross-shaped structure meticulously fabricated from 3 mm-thick aluminum connects the disparate wooden elements, locking them into a stable and functional furniture piece. This metallic intervention brings an intentional industrial precision that contrasts sharply with the soft, organic decay of the antique wood. Every joint and surface treatment has been carefully considered to highlight the dialogue between old and new, allowing the polished, reflective qualities of the contemporary metal to accentuate the deep, rustic grain of the vintage timber.
The design details extend far beyond simple material juxtaposition. The structural framing of the aluminum element features an openwork pattern whose geometry subtly references the delicate shape of apple blossoms—a direct nod to the agricultural origins of the piece. Meanwhile, the seat itself boasts a distinctive helical profile. This carefully carved or shaped form serves as a deliberate visual echo of the original wooden screw mechanism located beneath it, tying the entire silhouette of the stool back to its functional ancestry.
Measuring 45 centimeters in height with a width and depth of 42 centimeters, Le Pressoir manages to walk a delicate line between everyday functional utility and high-end collectible sculpture. It refuses to hide its origins, instead wearing its history proudly while stepping confidently into the realm of modern interior design. The brushed and vibrated finish applied to the aluminum components ensures a tactile harmony that complements, rather than fights, the rough surface of the reclaimed wood.
By capturing the physical character of a heavy agricultural machine and scaling it down into a domestic object, Studio Jumel and Ariane Ronot invite a broader conversation about sustainability, adaptive reuse, and the emotional resonance of materials. Le Pressoir demonstrates how discarded fragments of rural heritage can be thoughtfully recontextualized, transforming industrial relics into timeless statements of contemporary design that honor the past while defining the future.
