Only in L.A.: Skateboard scraps make a sculptural seat

A September 2008 home feature and video tour of  Etnies footwear founder Pierre Andres Senizergues featured cool and clever midcentury modern-inspired furniture created from castoff wheels and decks from skateboard manufacturing. Now it seems that Gil Le Bon De Lapointe, the designer who teamed with Senizergues to produce the collection under the name Skate Study House, is exploring new turf. 

Made from 40 recycled skateboard deck frames laminated with water-based glue and hand-sanded, the Cobble chair, shown here, seems to be a 180-degree ollie -- leaving the influence of Charles and Ray Eames and George Nelson in the sawdust for the more organic modern style of hippie-era California studio woodworkers. 

At $3,500 the limited edition piece will either strike consumers as a functional work of art or a well-intentioned green design wipeout.

What do you think? Please post comments below.

-- David A. Keeps

Photo: Skate Study House