Paloma Mirror
Hanging Mechanism
To securely mount the Paloma Mirror while accommodating its unique form and weight, I developed a custom cleat system that combined partially off-the-shelf hardware with custom components. Using existing hardware where possible helped streamline the design and manufacturing process, while a custom, taller cleat was developed to provide additional structural support and ensure the mirror could be securely mounted to the wall. This approach allowed the mounting system to remain largely streamlined and practical while providing the strength and stability required across sizes.
Translating Craft
The final Paloma Mirror brings together the character of Brett Miller’s handmade woodwork with the precision and functionality required for production. By carefully translating the original sample into a refined CAD surface and developing a custom mounting system around it, the final design preserves the organic qualities and individuality of the handmade form while creating a polished, functional product. The result is a mirror that feels true to the original artwork while seamlessly integrating the structural and manufacturing considerations needed to bring it into the Roll & Hill collection.
The Brief
Develop a sculptural wood-framed mirror from an existing design concept, translating its distinctive form into a refined, production-ready product.
Inspired by the scalloped roof tiles and mission architecture of Southern California, the design combines a familiar rectangular mirror with a softly undulating frame. The challenge was to preserve the character and dimensionality of the original form while resolving the construction, mounting, and manufacturing requirements of a large-scale mirror.
The development focused on refining the relationship between the wood frame and mirror, establishing consistent geometry and proportions, and developing a construction approach that could be produced reliably across multiple sizes and wood finishes. The result is a functional mirror that maintains the warmth and sculptural quality of the original concept while meeting the precision required for a finished furniture product.
My Role
As the industrial designer for Paloma, I was responsible for translating a handmade sample into a repeatable, production-ready design. The challenge was to capture the character and subtle irregularities of the original piece while developing a precise geometry that could be replicated consistently in CAD and manufactured across multiple sizes.
My role involved analyzing the physical sample, developing the form in CAD, and refining the construction to balance the original design intent with the tolerances and repeatability required for production. Through iterative CAD development and sampling, I established a framework that preserved the sculptural quality of the handmade original while making the design scalable and manufacturable.
Perfecting Geometry
Using artist Brett Miller’s handmade wood sample as the starting point, I used surfacing techniques in SolidWorks to recreate the unique contours and organic geometry of the piece. Because the original form was handmade, achieving an accurate match required carefully studying the sample’s curves, transitions, and subtle irregularities rather than relying on a standardized or symmetrical profile. I iteratively refined the surface geometry to closely follow the physical sample, using the resulting CAD model to establish the form and guide the development of the mirror components around it. This process allowed us to preserve the character and individuality of Brett’s original work while translating the handmade form into a precise, manufacturable design.
