about

My name is Erik Strait. I grew up in Upstate New York, and graduated from Villanova University with a B.S. in chemistry where I did undergraduate research through Pfizer Pharmaceuticals on antibiotics cytosporones D and E . Post Villanova, I worked in restaurants in NYC for a number of years before eventually becoming a certified sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers, as well as earning the Diploma through the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. I've always had a passion for design, and really got drawn into it through my dad and grandfathers' work on their wood projects, as well as my sister's drive to revolutionize skateboards through her self-built press and hand lamination process. Two of my aunts have also had a big influence in my interest and education in design and its process, one of which had a significant lighting design company, and worked for Herman Miller. While creating furniture that has been influenced by the Bauhau/Industrial era and Mid-Century Modern movement is my full-time job, I find balance in training for triathlon and alpine skiing, spending time with friends and family, exploring other media such as sneaker design, and reading anything I can get my hands on to either keep informed on world issues, or just learning something new that will help me grow as a person. Social causes are very important to me, so one of my many reasons for establishing E.M.Strait Design is to donate part of proceeds from all sales to charitable causes, and funding outreach projects to help those less fortunate.

Erik Strait

I’ve always viewed design as a medium that should first and foremost offer something with an intended purpose. Walter Gropius' philosophy (as well as Louis Sullivan's) of "form follows function" has always made sense to me. I've always thought that everything on a designed form should serve some function, and not be there merely for the sake of “decoration.” Through a bit of reading and personal observation over countless years, as well as guidance and inspiration from a few family members, I’ve come to view over-done design like trying to overcompensate for something else which is lacking, or even worse, an afterthought to detract from flaws in other parts of the design process. In addition, excess in design just seems like excess in everything else; Unneeded and wasteful. The other major figure that has inspired me in regards to this line of thinking is (Ludwig) mies van der rohe, who was a significant teacher at the Bauhaus school.

My infatuation with Mid-Century and Bauhaus/Industrial period design did not begin with the "showcase" houses and furniture that you would see in places like Palm Springs, CA; It actually began with the modernist movement in Cape Cod, MA (specifically in the town of Wellfleet).

It’s not surprising that many of the famous Bauhaus alumni found their way to this part of the eastern United States. Walter Gropius (Bauhaus founder) fled to London after the rise of Hitler (and serving in WW1), and then found himself in Cambridge, MA in 1937 after accepting a position from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design. Marcel Breuer and Herbert Beckhard soon followed, as did the likes of Florence Knoll and Chechen phenom, Serge Chermayeff. The Bauhaus actually had an informal reunion on Planting Island on the Cape in 1937. Two relatively unknowns though, Paul Weidlinger and Jack Hall, also had substantial influence in this design period.

Hall had actually worked under the tutelage of George Nelson, and was in all sense of the word, a complete didactic ..... his most famous creation being Hatch Cottage in Wellfleet, built for Robert Hatch (editor at The Nation) and his wife. Weidlinger’s house is also located in Wellfleet, within a stones throw from one of Chechen designer, Serge Chermayeff’s structures.

As opposed to the “case study” homes built by Richard Neutra and Charles Eames, or areas such as Park Forest outside of Chicago, which, have along with the other famous properties from this era (i.e. the Farnsworth House) we have all come to know, embody the ostentatious side of Mid-Century Modern, the properties on the Cape seem to offer a complete antithesis to these more flamboyant designs. They embody a true lifestyle, and just trying to locate them makes you feel like you’re intruding on someone’s very personal and private space.

Minimal design seems like something that is expected nowadays. However, even as much as people want to embrace the Mid-Century Modern movement, it's always interesting to see overly-designed elements incorporated in the same space, instead of embracing a complete and thorough lifestyle. This isn't necessarily a bad thing ….. it just seems inconsistent and contradictory ….. confusing, if you want it summed up in one word. Being able to create something minimal, purposeful, functional, and thought-provoking though, indicates a different sense of thought process. It indicates a direct clarity of thought, an ability to be resourceful and efficient, as well as a selfless process that takes into account the conservation of materials and useless excess of other resources….. the savings of which could be passed along to other more needing projects, or perhaps, more importantly, those more in need. This is what I strive to convey in every piece I create.

Part of the sales from all pieces of E.M. Strait Design, as well as sales from logoed merchandise will be distributed to charities and causes whose general purpose is to help those less fortunate than most of us. E.M.Strait Design will also launch outreach projects, examples of which will include obtaining warm clothing like hats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and jackets etc. to distribute around the holidays and colder weather months to those living on the streets in major metropolitan cities, as well as any other locations that need assistance. Money will also be set aside during this time, and throughout the year to rent hotel rooms over the course of a few days, so that those without a roof over their head can have a relaxing and dignified place to clean up, hopefully giving them the confidence to pursue something that they’re passionate about. More in the works, but hopefully you get the gist of it.