Ariane van Dievoet Explores New Ways to Work Offcuts

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When working with raw materials like wood and natural stone, even the discarded fragments carry a quiet beauty. Instead of sending them to the landfill, Belgium-based designer Ariane van Dievoet explores how these remnants can take center stage in her work. The result is a series of one-of-a-kind pieces that prove quality materials can shine, even in their second life.

CONNECTIONS side table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

There are a couple of challenges that come with working in discarded or reclaimed materials. The first is reproducibility. Because fragments vary in size, shape, and color, the final design is nearly impossible to replicate. The second is quality. Many fragments, especially those sourced from demolition sites, come with flaws. Rather than see these issues as limitations, van Dievoet embraces them, allowing constraints to shape the work. “Creating from materials that have already been used forces me to take into account their shape, thickness, and any breaks,” she explains. “These constraints are a driving force and inspiration in my creative process.”

A small wooden stool with a square marble seat and four legs, placed on a wooden floor against a plain background

CONNECTIONS side table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Her CONNECTIONS collection takes on the challenge of reproducibility head-on. Instead of striving for uniformity, van Dievoet builds continuity through the frame, crafted from oak sourced in Brussels’ Sonian Forest, while reclaimed stone ensures every piece is one-of-a-kind. Using a precision water jet cutter, she carves cut-outs that allow the wooden structure to pass through the stone; the stone’s weight locks everything into place. The result is a system that supports a cohesive product line while celebrating the uniqueness of each reclaimed piece.

A close-up of a light-colored, rectangular marble tabletop with rounded corners and two semicircular wooden inlays near the edges

CONNECTIONS side table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A wooden shelving unit with four upright supports and five rectangular shelves in various colors, standing on a wooden floor against a plain wall

Connections shelf \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Close-up of a wooden shelf supported by two vertical wooden poles, with a natural, reddish-brown surface and a textured edge

CONNECTIONS shelf \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A round wooden plug is set into the surface of a reddish-brown wooden tabletop

CONNECTIONS shelf \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A wooden shelf with stone surfaces holds three upright books and two large rock pieces placed behind them, all against a plain, light-colored background

CONNECTIONS shelf, Collected Matter bookends \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A shelf with three books standing upright between two stone bookends, framed by vertical wooden supports

Collected Matter bookends \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

The Collected Matter and Reflected Matter collections address the issue of flaws. In Collected Matter, materials gathered from production or demolition sites are given a second life as functional objects in their raw state. Each piece – whether a bookend, box, or trinket tray – becomes a stage for its new owner’s own collection of objects.

A geometric sculpture composed of two stone-like slabs on either side of a vertically ribbed, rectangular central piece, set against a plain white background

Collected Matter bookends \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A large stone slab and a round glass pane are vertically positioned together, supported by two wooden stands, on a neutral background

Echo Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Rather than concealing imperfections, Reflected Matter series celebrates them through mirrors. Here, natural stone fragments hold mirrors upright, the reflective surface drawing attention to every edge, crack, and contour of the supporting stone. The result is a dialogue between fragment and reflection, flaw and finish.

A rough, triangular stone is positioned in front of a circular mirror on a wooden stand, casting a partial reflection against a neutral background

Echo Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Close-up of the jagged edge of a piece of brownish rock with a visible crack running along its surface

Echo Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A tall, arched mirror with a sculpted stone base stands against a dark brown wall on a light-colored floor

Tethys Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A tall, arched mirror with a stone base and an irregular, jagged lower edge stands against a dark wall, reflecting a concrete pillar and ceiling

Tethys Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A broken mirror rests against a concrete pillar in a modern building with geometric ceiling patterns and a curved staircase

Tethys Mirror \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A small wooden bench with a cracked, dark gray marble top, standing on a light speckled floor

Rift Coffee Table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Lastly, the Rift Coffee Table takes a crack at turning breaks into beauty. Inspired by the surface of her Rift Console and the structure of the Dominican Bench, van Divoet transforms a central fissure into the table’s defining feature. The split tabletop is unified by a precise geometric cut, creating a balance between disruption and cohesion. Made from reclaimed oak paneling and crafted with a digital milling machine, the light, playful structure fits together seamlessly – a surprising revelation that even a crack can be the foundation of something whole.

Close-up of a cracked gray stone slab with visible white veining and rough texture

Rift Coffee Table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A modern, empty interior features a curved staircase, concrete walls, a round table in the center, and geometric ceiling lights above

Rift Coffee Table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

Fragments, flaws, and fissures are often seen as unsightly, but van Dievoet proves otherwise. Instead of discarding these parts, she transforms them into the driving force of her practice, pushing her to create design that is both inspiring and sustainable.

A stone-topped wooden bench is positioned under a ceiling light in an otherwise dark, empty room with concrete floors and walls

Rift Coffee Table \\\ Photo: Oksana Tkachuk

A woman with long dark hair, wearing a green shirt and jeans, stands and smiles in a bright, minimalist outdoor setting with white walls and stairs

Ariane van Dievoet \\\ Photo: Eline Willaert

Ariane van Dievoet’s work can be viewed at the Curated design fair, the Forward furniture exhibition at Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven (October 18-26, 2025), and the Caress exhibition by B Collective during the MAD Parcours in Brussels this November. To learn more about her practice, visit arianevandievoet.com.

Photography courtesy of Ariane van Dievoet.

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.





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