Wood Jiali Bench

The grain on top swirls like a weather map, and the forecast is sturdy.

The Jiali bench, a contemporary piece from the Primitive Collection, is made of sand blasted elm wood. The long plank bench on angled legs is one of the oldest and plainest forms of Chinese country furniture, made to be moved from table to doorstep as needed. Sand blasting has worn back the softer wood so the hard grain stands proud across the top. Thick square legs splay outward from short brackets at each end. The color is a rich brown, lightened where the grain rises. It is 66 inches long, 14 deep and 17.5 high.

Plain, solid, and not interested in trends.