Radiata Natura

Edited by Nicholas Mattson

Birthed in Los Angeles, California by a collective of artisans, luxury goods brand Bottega Legna has placed their focus firmly on bespoke wood plank flooring design and collaborative partnerships with some of the world’s finest craftsmen and designers to cement permanence guided by their philosophy of “Purity in Form.”

In 2020, Bottega Legna provided Conejo Hardwoods a landmark opportunity and granted them international exclusivity to showcase their bespoke wood plank flooring collection, “ILLÚME.”

In that moment, Francisco A. Mondet — Director of Sales and Product Development for Conejo Hardwoods — cultivated a relationship of fluency and passion between art and commerce. This collaborative partnership proved a fruitful platform where “Artisan and Market” carry equal weight and inspired the process where “A Collective of Artisans” constitute the foundation from which all works of design bloom.

Malibu Times Magazine had the pleasure of sitting down with Francisco A. Mondet, no stranger to the world of design. For more than 25 years, he has designed everything from furniture to handbags, and brings worldwide sophistication as a respected tastemaker in the flooring industry. His obsession with design and appetite for substance manifested a divine matrimony with Bottega Legna.

The collective’s shared love towards purity, quality and integrity is evident in the style and substance of the product, the process and the people.

“It’s always the character of those humans involved in creation, which determines the beauty, or as we like to say ‘Purity In Form.’” Mondet expressed.

Mondet shared with us their latest collaboration with designer and wood craftsman, Ryan Coyne of Coyne Design Company. A Malibu native, Coyne and his team now design and craft in Newbury Park.

Since 2015, Coyne’s affinity for craftsmanship and keen eye for scale led the rapid growth of Coyne Design Company. Bottega Legna was incubating their next collaboration when a chance meeting between Mondet and Coyne initiated an artistic evolution.

Following a handful of in-depth calls and exchange of ideas, Mondet felt compelled to visit Coyne’s studio and allow the creative process to unfold organically. Within 15 minutes of standing amidst the sawdust and majestic timbers, Coyne unfurled the vision that set this collection in motion.

“I’m seeing lines, radiating down like light rays or water,” Coyne exclaimed. Mondet remembers instantly responding excitedly, “That’s it.”

As with all creation, a name must be endowed — Radiata Natura was born as the moniker for what was to come. Inspired by all that radiates in nature: rays from the sun, tree from the earth, and love from the soul.

What ensued was “10 months of inspiration, ingenuity and a pure love for the sake of craftsmanship and design.”

A community of incredible humans united to see the concept materialize. Conejo Hardwoods sourced and procured the Central American parota drip-slab and African mahogany lumber. Michelle Hamilton at RM Precision sourced and crafted the steel, meticulously purposed for the radiating bases, which define the Radiata Natura collection.

“Sam Thomas, a seasoned furniture maker of over 30 years took on the daunting task of giving life to the Spirits Armoire which undoubtedly is where we reach to elevate our evenings,” Mondet articulated while describing the collection’s team.

And last but not least, Coyne and the Coyne Design Company labored endlessly to oversee that all the pieces came together, as well as the direct handcraft applied towards contouring the dining table and butterflied benches.

“Where we break bread and cheers to our well-lived lives in communion,” Mondet declared triumphantly. “When Bottega Legna ambitions to gather like-minded artisans in an effort to soulfully express their passions, a natural ‘Gathering of Communion’ over both meal and art is likely our greatest achievement.”

The Radiata Natura Collection is one intended to bring people together over whatever they most enjoy.