Refractory
Revere the meaning of things.

Refractory is a furniture, lighting and object design studio based in Chicago. Founded by Angie West from Texas and Alberto Vélez from Bogotá, the studio reflects a distinctly contemporary American design approach born of the rugged landscapes of West Texas.

The Refractory wordmark features an inverted letter “R” that is also used as a brand monogram and maker’s mark for products. The word refractory means stubborn or unmanageable, depicted by the flipped R. 

Refractories are materials used in metal and glasswork foundries to resist the high temperatures encountered in furnaces and kilns. The brand yellow is derived from the colour of sulphur crystals and powder. Sulphur is a common element used in foundry processes.

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