About Jon Sarriugarte
Since 1987, Form & Reform has been producing hand-forged furniture and accessories with classic beauty and durability that lasts a lifetime. Designed and created in Oakland, California, they stand behind every piece that leaves their warehouse.
Jon Sarriugarte, Designer/Owner:
Born and raised in Boise, Idaho, Jon made the trip out to California to create Form & Reform in 1987. He has studied as a blacksmith and fabricator for over 25 years, and pours his creativity into both work and the local community, where he is a civic leader, and member of many commerce and economic advisory councils for West Oakland.
Not content to “merely” excel at work, Jon also believes in plain old fun. His entries in the Power Tool Drag Races have been featured on the Discovery Channel, and his work on Vortex generators were featured on the History Channel. He continues to be active in the Bay Area art group, Survival Research Laboratories.
Jon married Kyrsten Mate last June, a twice Oscar winning sound designer whose most recent work can be heard in Pixar’s animated film, The Incredibles, and Sam Mendes' Jarhead. Jon and Kyrsten are expecting a baby girl this summer!
Julie Henry, Designer:
Jon met Julie at a blacksmithing conference in 2002, and was so impressed with the talented young designer that he co-designed the retro-styled, striking Modular furniture series with her a year later.
The Crew:
The staff of craftspeople there are more like a family than coworkers. They have two generations of old-world knife-smiths working the shop and forges. Sean, their office manager last year, has return safely from Iraq. They are looking forward to his return to their lives, and wish the best for those that are still there.
Sustainable Quality:
From the steel used in construction to the paper in their packaging, a substantial amount of the materials used in creating their products involve sustainable, recycled, or eco-friendly substances.
Their steel, glass, and shipping boxes all contain significant amounts of recycled, post-consumer product. They actively search for suppliers that can both fulfill their stringent material quality and earth-friendly requirements.
Their tabletops are made from Hevea Brasiliensis, commonly called Rubberwood, a light hardwood cultivated to produce latex in many countries. The trees cease to produce latex after 25-30 years and must be cleared and replanted. This “waste” wood is both durable and beautiful, and its use eases the pressure on the world’s topical forests.
Most importantly, because their products are built to last a lifetime, their beauty, durability, and classic design will remain in use for decades, greatly extending our world’s precious natural resources.
Steel, fire, glass, wood, and a passion for craft and excellence infuse every item they make. From the heat of the forges to the cool precision of their artisans, they endeavor to produce furniture of a quality that you would be proud to bequest to your children, and will last long enough to make the journey.
