Object and Vesper Collection
New York-based studio Astraeus Clarke are shooting for the stars with the launch of their debut furniture and object collections, which channel the spirit of the American West and vintage glamour.
Founded by Jacob and Chelsie Starley in 2022, Astraeus Clarke made its name through unique, handcrafted lighting – but their latest venture shows that they’re just getting started. Opening their first New York showroom in March this year was a huge step for the pair, showcasing their skills and creativity in interiors. “We’ve always thought about design in totality,” says Chelsie. “Lighting was our entry point, but the goal has always been to expand – objects, furniture, interiors. The showroom is that expansion made physical.”
The showroom – which they call ‘the parlour’ – is a moody, otherworldly space tucked within the third floor of a Chinatown office building. With a mirrored ceiling embedded with hand-cut stars, dark mahogany panelling and antique finds arranged alongside Astraeus Clarke pieces, it operates as a working studio, gathering space and stage for their collections. “People can linger, explore or simply sit and take it all in,” says Chelsie. “It’s a home for our work and for the moments that happen around it.”
Stars are a recurring motif in their work – an homage to the brand’s name, Astraeus, the god of stars, the open skies of the western frontier where the couple grew up, as well as their last name. Previous lighting collections – such as the Alpine Series and Darning Collection – drew inspiration from the landscape and culture of the American West, and their debut object and furniture collections infuse this with a modern metropolitan energy and a shared obsession with materials that carry memory.
The three-object capsule is sculptural, nostalgic and made to order in their New York workshop. “Each object had to feel like it carried history and soul, even while being made with contemporary processes,” says Jacob. “That balance between modern fabrication and timeless resonance guided the whole collection.”
There’s the Silhouette Vase, laser-cut from solid brass tubing and bent to evoke a ceremonial vessel, available in a range of hand-applied patinas. The Smoke Tray, a polished mahogany and chrome incense holder, evokes old Hollywood glamour. “People often mistake it for a vintage piece, which we consider the highest compliment,” says Chelsie. The Constellation Set is a collection of 21 hand-drawn metal stars that calls back to childhood glow-in-the-dark stars as well as spectacular night drives through Utah canyons.
The furniture release – timed to coincide with the New York edition of Collectible design fair – is titled the Vesper collection, and includes a lacquered dining table, sculptural mirror and a set of customisable stools. “This collection is rooted in the idea of elevated glamour – pieces that feel luxurious, opulent and celebratory, while also demanding the highest level of craft,” says Jacob. Glossy finishes, chrome accents and lush upholstery reference old Vegas lounges, classic Italian design and cocktail culture.
The collection’s unapologetic showpiece is the Vesper dining table, with its custom-milled metal trim and rounded feet, and high-gloss lacquered finishes in oxblood, oyster or clear-coated mahogany. “It’s not a table that hides in the background,” says Jacob. “It’s designed for gathering, celebration and creating a sense of occasion.” The mirror channels the same sense of opulence, while the stools offer slipcovers in mohair, shearling and plaid, held in place by star-shaped bolts.
