French-American interior designer and Concord business owner Barbara Elza Hirsch of Elza B. Design launched her first line for Dowel Furniture that is curvy, sexy, and embraces a transitional look in the home. The Bois et Couleur collection (which translates into wood and color) of chairs, end tables, and stools offer comfort, color, function, and style. Inspired by Hirsch’s French heritage, the line is described as “old world meets new world.” Hirsch worked with Dowel to choose the finishes and fabrics that would be used with the collection. The fabrics selected to complement her collection are from high-quality fabric houses including The Romo Group, Schumacher, Kravet, Duralee, and Quadrille. “We wanted the collection to be durable and long-lasting,” notes Joanne Hallare Lee and Ray Hallare—the sister and brother team behind Dowel Furniture.
Before finalizing the design and upholstery choices, Dowel sent unfinished wooden frames of each of the items to Hirsch’s office in Concord and Hirsch was able to try the pieces for comfort before finalizing the samples for full on production with upholstery. The result are pieces that are high quality yet also affordable.
Hirsch studied graphic design in Paris at the Ecole Supérieure des Arts Graphiques (E.S.A.G- Atelier Met de Penninghen) and obtained her diploma as a fashion designer and illustrator at the renowned Studio Berçot in Paris. In addition, she took classes with the Parson’s School of Design branch in Paris. She also holds a B.A. in comparative literature from the Sorbonne Nouvelle University from Paris. Hirsch says she likes to “build a room like a painting, with each stroke and layer creating the final space.” Her designs bridge old with new and incorporate colors derived from nature—flora, plants, rocks, ocean, sun, sky. She loves to use splashes of eclectic touches in her stylish, textured, and restful interiors.