We Design and Build Unforgettable Art that Functions as Furniture
We can design based on your ideas for your home, or we can start from scratch and create something unforgettable. With each option, our goal is to exceed your expectations. It will not only be a conversation piece, it will be a legacy piece that will last forever.
Art, Narrative and Originality
From luxury residential to high-end hospitality, we specialize in handcrafting remarkable pieces of functional art that cannot be duplicated.
The Contour Gallery
We empower communities in East Africa by collaborating with local artisans to design and build custom furniture. We are passionate about creating meaningful, sustainable pieces of functional art. These handcrafted pieces of bespoke furniture are made from 100% sustainably sourced exotic wood, only found in remote regions of East Africa. We have partnered with a non-profit organization that plants trees across the country of Malawi, for every Contour piece sold.
Our Canvas is Exotic Wood
We only use trees that have fallen naturally due to old age or weather conditions. All of our exotic wood species are sustainably sourced in East Africa and certified by the Malawian Department of Forestry, CITES and USDA.
Our Story
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower and connect Africa and America through sustainable design.
From Malawi with Love
Recycled tumbled glass and copper beautifully handcrafted into functional art. Each piece of glass is found on the shores of Lake Malawi. We collaborate with local artisans in East Africa to handcraft one of a kind artwork that can be admired, but more importantly, used.
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"The seed soon becomes the tree and ever since Jamar Simien first saw the potential in those handcrafted mahogany bowls, the operation has been growing exponentially. With Ike Igbo based out of Lilongwe, Malawi and Brandon Destouet in Houston, they're building an infrastructure with the Malawi community, training and educating on best practices."
- Susie Tommaney, The Houston Press
Art Celebrating Art
Our collaboration with the Houston Ballet celebrates the intersection of two forms of art, performance art + functional art. The result was a collection of stunning imagery that highlights the beauty of each art form.
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"Over the course of more than a few conversations with Jamar Simien, it became clear to me that his designs and his countless endeavors are all viewed through the lens of legacy. Since the summer of 2018, he’s started Contour, taught art to African school children, planted over 100 African Mahogany trees, began the process of building a design school in Malawi, helped a group of Malawian craftsmen start businesses of their own, and tutored countless people on how to build up their community."
- Lawrence Dillon, Cite Magazine
Contour to be featured in "Designers of America" book
The exclusive book project is being sponsored by Sentient, an upscale furniture design firm in Brooklyn, New York. A design committee curated the collection out of thousands of entries across the United States.
Contour Client Review
"I am so grateful to have found Jamar Simien and Contour! From my first contact with Jamar, I felt very comfortable and confident that I was very lucky to find an artist and craftsperson who was both extremely talented and passionate about his work. He helped guide me through the process of picking a piece of wood and designing just the right piece for the space.
It was so gratifying to work with him and be able to support the work of such a talented artist. Getting to know Jamar and feeling so connected to the process of the making of this piece has been a wonderful experience for me. Each time I look at my beautiful table I am reminded of my good fortune both in being able to live with a piece of such beauty as well as to be able to feel the connection to the wonderful human who designed it."
-Joanne, Chicago
Contour Press
The unique story of Contour has been covered in a variety of publications.
The Exclusive Contour Collection
Sustainably sourced rare wood species that have been handcrafted into functional pieces of art. It's legacy, it's luxury, it's only Contour Functional Art.
The Contour Blog
Our goal has always been to empower artisans globally. Follow our journey from America, to Africa and around the world.
