A little over 20 years ago, a young New Yorker by the name of Michael Aram took a break from his life as an artist and student of fine arts — and made a visit to India that would change his life forever. Immediately taken with the local craftsmen, he took special interest in a particular metalcrafter's ability to process raw metal into simple objects and tools. Unable to communicate, Aram drew a shoehorn design in the dirt and the craftsman created it for him.

Aram began watching and working with the craftsmen in New Delhi, sometimes making drawings in the dirt, sometimes on a sketchpad. He spent months hunting out artisans in the villages by listening for the beating of metal and learning to identify the smell of baked molasses used in the sand-casting process.

Learning the different metal processes, Aram applied his fine arts background to the decorative arts and made prototypes with whatever was at hand, sometimes just sticks and stones. After creating what would be his first collection of craft-based designs, Aram became the driving force behind a small cottage industry of Indian metalworkers.

Last Leaves bowl

Over the years, Aram has become known for his creative interpretations of nature — foliage, blossoms, stones, vines and twigs cast or crafted from stainless steel, polished aluminum, enamel and other materials — in serving pieces, trivets, tabletop, accent furniture, lamps and decorative accessories. (photo left, 20th Anniversary tea set)

He finds beauty in natural textures, forms and imperfections, such as the tattered, trampled leaf that inspired this season's Last Leaves collection. The leaf, found on the sidewalk in front of his New York store late last fall, exhibited "black and broken edges, burn marks from the sun and what seemed like myriad colors." Aram found great character in that and rendered a variety of "Last Leaves" bowls and baskets in polished aluminum and enamel coating, giving life to the unexpected colors and textures of the last days of fall which, he says, are "still so full of beauty and promise for me."

From India, Aram continues to build his collection of narrative, figurative and contemporary designs — still handcrafted using traditional techniques — for galleries, specialty stores, private commissions and mass audiences.

Two years ago, Aram opened his first retail store — in a renovated 19th century carriage house in New York's Chelsea neighborhood. Architect James Harb collaborated on the project, of which Aram said, "We moved away from the pristine white spaces that characterize the stores that surround us and built a rich, dark, cave-like environment that's more in keeping with the alternative side of my work." A special signing event will take place in the store, at 136 West 18th St., on Dec. 3.

The "Mughal Garden" Tea Set was designed by Aram in celebration of his 20th anniversary of living and working in India.

Most recently, Aram celebrated his company's 20th year with a special September event at Bloomingdale's flagship in New York, where he launched a special anniversary collection and unveiled his new space in the store.

In an interview this summer, Michael Aram Inc. CEO Sebastian Herald told Home Accents Today the company was up by double-digit percentages over its previous biggest year, and that it was focused on keeping the pipeline filled. "Newness is not our whole world — our best selling item is 10 years old. But we believe in keeping Michael's work flowing so that his vocabulary of design is always fresh."

Herald said the company is beginning to look at licensing opportunities, but wants to make sure it's with people who value the kind of designer Aram is. "He doesn't just sign off on anything," Herald said. "He designs it all."

Designer Michael Aram is known for his creative interpretations of nature, rendered in metals and other materials.