From Dorothy Draper to Elsie deWolfe to Kelly Wearstler, women have long been putting their stamp on the interior design world. But what about when it comes to furniture? While woodworking and metalworking have historically been disciplines dominated by men, a new generation of women makers are proving they are equally capable of conceptualizing and building pieces for the home with heavy, rough materials. Here, we have curated some of our favorite women designers who changing the face of chairs, tables, lighting, and everything in between.
Sazerac Stitches
Lighting, Hardware, Home Decor
Inspired by New Orleans’ history and architecture, Kirsten Gaiennie brings the color and energy of NOLA to her custom lighting, furniture, and decor creations at Sazerac Stitches. Inspired by mid-century Scandinavian style and pop culture, the store is known for its sputnik chandeliers and vibrant sconces. Follow Sazerac Stitches on Instagram: @sazerac_stitches
Arcenciel Chandelier; $640
Rosie Li Studio
Lighting
Rosie Li, founder of Rosie Li Studio, redefines your most-dreaded high school class: geometry. She incorporates the sculptural qualities of mathematics and science to craft modern, decorative light fixtures made in New York. Her work embodies organic growth and frivolity with rainbow colors and bubble shape forms. Follow Rosie Li Studio on Instagram: @rosielistudio
Bubbly Light Wallmount; $1,100-$1,700 each
Crosland + Emmons
Lighting
Co-founded by Dana Castle, a former marketing and advertising veteran, Crosland and Emmons crafts neutral-colored ceramics, pendant lights, and candlesticks that allow the eye to focus on shape and beauty. Imperfect, visually off-balance, and bespoke, each piece is intentionally void of color and handmade—no two lights will ever be the same. Follow Crosland and Emmons on Instagram: @croslandandemmons
Lily Pad Pendant; $3,000
Selena Liu Design
Furniture, Home Decor
Selena Liu brings “elicit joy and child-like energy” to her interdisciplinary furniture design, interiors, and content creation. Her eye-catching lounge chair, flower dining table, and retail store displays have caught the eyes of clients including Ralph Lauren, SNL, Todd Synder, and KITH. Her now-famous salad spoons will be released in partnership with Areaware in early 2021. Follow Selena Liu Design on Instagram: @selena.liu
Salad Spoons; made-to-order
Morgan Peck Ceramics
Lighting, Home Decor
Morgan Peck’s creativity was shaped at a young age through her love of pine-needle baskets and still life drawing. The designer draws inspiration from the Art Deco, the Bauhaus, and forms of Venetian glass to craft one-of-a-kind ceramics. From squiggle-handled vases to constellation clocks, she custom makes each work in her backyard studio. Follow Morgan Peck Ceramics on Instagram: @morgspeck
Stretch Vase; $355
Common Body
Home Decor
Common Body co-founders Kourtney Kyung Smith and Nathaniel Kyung Smith sculpt everything from candles to incense holders that explore the physical relationships of people and spaces. Made from 100 percent pure beeswax from local, family-run bee farms, the Smiths consider their candle-making an act of care for the flora and fauna in their community. Common Body plants a tree for each piece purchased. Follow Common Body on Instagram: @common_body
Wane Candle; $32
Cym Warkov Ceramics
Home Decor
Minnesota-based Cym Warkov creates timeless ceramics that fuse elements of “an archaeological find and a sensual modernity.” Warkov had dreams of opening an outdoor furniture store, but her vision was sidetracked when she found herself making decorative vessels, which she is most known for. Her ceramics are influenced by her upbringing in a Zen Buddhist community, and the flow of the human form. Follow Cym Warkov Ceramics on Instagram: @cymwarkovceramics
Empire Limited Edition Bucket Vessel; $555
The Soda Fountain
Home Decor
Sam.m, founder of The Soda Fountain, crafts her beautiful ceramics out of Melbourne (Naarm), Australia. Her made-to-order checkered pieces come in a variety of sizes and colors. Follow The Soda Fountain on Instagram: @thesodafountain
Checkered Egg Cup; Message for pricing
Simone Bodmer-Turner
Home Decor
After quitting her job in finance, Simone Bodmer-Turner traveled to Japan and Oaxaca to learn the art of ceramics. Bodmer-Turner is known for her coiling jugs and vases crafted out of her Brooklyn studio. Each sculpture and vase is inspired by ancient ceremonial and utilitarian vessels. Follow Simone Bodmer-Turner on Instagram: @simonebodmerturner
Bridge Handled Vessel; $1,195
Sam Lee
Lighting, Home Decor
Ceramicist Sam Lee’s vases, lights, and planters are inspired by self-discovery and quiet moments. Despite her love for the individual pottery-making process, Lee found the community surrounding the craft invaluable. She founded Dusted and Blue, a small private studio in the heart of San Francisco’s Russian Hill neighborhood, which offers introductory pottery classes, workshops, and memberships. Follow Dusted and Blue on Instagram: @dustedandblue
Black light pendant; $300
Not Work Related
Home Decor
Chicago-native Sarah Hussaini turned her hobby into a full-fledged business through her geometric and colorful ceramics. The pottery virtuoso brings a playful approach to household items, incorporating colorful faces, shapes, and lines at her studio Not Work Related. Follow Sarah Hussaini on Instagram: @notworkrelated_
Face Planter; $60
Brave Matter
Lighting, Home Decor
Founders Christina Zamora and Cathy Lo draw on inspiration from their eclectic backgrounds, Lo from Taiwan and Zamoa from the high deserts of New Mexico, for their design studio Brave Matter. Their current ceramic collections, A/M Light and N/O Objects are hand-crafted using ceramic, wood, and brass out of their Oakland-based studio. Follow Brave Matter on Instagram: @bravematter
A/M Orb Light; Made-to-order
Estelle Colored Glass
Glassware
Chances are, you haven’t scrolled through your Instagram-feed without seeing these radiant, bright-colored glass pieces. Estelle Colored Glass founder Stephanie Summerson Hall named the company after her grandmother, Estelle, and her inspirational glassware collection. The sought-after, heirloom-quality hand-blown glass cake stands and stemware pieces are described as “jewels for your table.” Follow Estelle Colored Glass on Instagram: @estellecoloredglass
Estelle Colored Wine Set of 6; $175
LikeMindedObjects
Lighting, Furniture, Home Decor
LikeMindedObjects founder Elise McMahon studied industrial design with a focus on sustainability at Rhode Island School of Design and Parsons School of Design. From ripple-pleated table lamps to geometric plant shelves, McMahon’s work aims to bring a modern, lighthearted aesthetic to local materials, with an emphasis on respecting communities and environments. Her work has been acclaimed in Architectural Digest, New York Magazine, and The New York Times. Follow LikeMindedObjects on Instagram: @likemindedobjects
Ottoman; $950
Vonnegut/Kraft
Furniture, Home Decor
Created by Katrina Vonnegut and Brian Kraft, New York-based design studio Vonnegut/Kraft uses local and regional resources to maintain a balance between technological manufacturing and the authenticity of hand-made artistry. From geometric ottomans to tree trunk-inspired dining tables, each piece is as special as the materials used in its creation. Follow Vonnegut/Kraft on Instagram: @vonnegut_kraft
Mesa Console; Made-to-order
New York Heartwoods
Furniture, Home Decor
Megan Offner crafts custom furniture pieces by hand with wood from fallen trees from the Hudson River Valley. Offner grew up camping in national parks and developed an understanding of the harm that clear-cutting causes to local environments and ecosystems. To each furniture, accessory, and custom piece, she succeeds at bringing the outdoors, inside. Follow New York Heartwoods on Instagram: @newyorkheartwoods
Spatula; $72
Laura T. Jaramillo
Furniture
Laura T. Jaramillo draws inspiration from her multicultural background (her mother is Puerto Rican, her father is Colombian, and she grew up in Egypt) to design pieces inclusive of cultural expression and alternate modes of thinking. From her doodle chair to the sweater chair, her pieces are unmistakably unique. Follow Laura T. Jaramillo on Instagram: @laurafurniture
Doodle Chair; Made-to-order
Salam Hello
Rugs
Berber women have been handweaving textiles since 600 BC, passing the craft from generation to generation. They carry this tradition with them as they work, telling new stories with each knot of every textile. Founded by Mallory Solomon, Salam Hello brings these vibrant custom rugs—and the story of each one—directly to your living room. Follow Salam Hello on Instagram: @_salamhello_
Fatima’s Boujard; $530
Nina Cho Studio
Furniture, Home Decor
Influenced by her Korean heritage, Nina Cho’s design philosophy follows the translation of the Korean adage, “It is modest but not humble, and impressive but not extravagant.” From her Recess Table to her Maung Maung Mirrors, each peace coherently bridges form, material, and color. FOllow Nina Cho Studio on Instagram: @studio_ninacho
Maung Maung Mirror; Made-to-order
Maman Rugs
Rugs
After working in production design for 15 years, Samira Gagné Ludwin founded Maman Rugs to honor her late grandmother Maman Houri. Her grandmother began weaving carpets at a young age, in her rural village of Jasb, Iran. Ludwin designs each rug in her Brooklyn studio, which are brought to life by artisans in India and Asia, made from New Zealand wool. Her use of tufting to blend shape and color make Maman the centerpiece of every room. Follow Maman Rugs on Instagram: @maman_rugs
Freida Rug; $695
Balineum
Furniture, Lighting, Home Decor, Tile
Named after the Latin word for bathhouse, Balineum focuses on maintaining and celebrating classic designs using tile, hardware, and accessories usually found in the bathroom. Founder Sarah Watson believed these elements could be beautifully incorporated into other areas, including the kitchen and laundry room. From linens to wall mirrors, Balineum brings elegance to the modern home. Follow Balineum on Instagram: @sarah_balineum
Flora Wall Mirror; £940.00
LOQ
Glassware, Lighting, Home Decor
Designed in Los Angeles and crafted in Spain, LOQ co-founders Keren Longkumer and Valerie Quant create everything from covetable ceramic vases and linen napkins to leather sandals, combining the relaxed style of Quant’s California with the rich hues of Longkumer’s India. Follow LOQ on Instagram: @loq
Volta Lamp; $940
Michele Varian Shop
Lighting, Wallpaper, Home Decor, Furniture
From deco-prism wallpaper to classic brass sconces, Michele Varian’s collection of textiles, pillows, wallpaper, lighting, and furniture lies at the intersection of modernity and tradition. Hailing from Detroit, the designer’s early career centered around micro-manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and advocacy for small businesses in the community. Follow Michele Varian on Instagram: @michelevarian
Boho Diamond Wallpaper; $248
IN.SEK Design
Furniture, Lighting, Home Decor
Tired of the disposability and waste of consumerism today, Ashira Israel founded IN.SEK with the belief that design should be intentional. Her ceramics, pendant lighting, and furniture, as well as concrete installations, blur the line between art and architecture. Follow IN.SEK Design on Instagram: @in.sek
Angl Cylo Pendant Light; $700
Tortuga Living
Furniture, Lighting, Home Decor
Founded by Andrea Hill in 2018, Tortuga Living brings the work of established and emerging designers from around the globe directly to consumers. Focused on forward-thinking and modular designs produced with ethical materials, the curated selection of shelving, tables, planters, lighting, and accessories are as unique as the designer who created them. Follow Tortuga Living on Instagram: @tortugaliving
Sahara Bookends; $28
Atelier Saucier
Home Decor
Made in Los Angeles from reclaimed fabrics, Atelier Saucier’s sustainable dining linens will transform even the most routine stay-at-home meal. Self-described “chief linen officers,” founders Staci Inspektor and Nikki Reed designed their one-of-a-kind napkins to be mixed and matched. Choose from reclaimed linen, cotton, denim, or sumptuous chambray. Follow Atelier Saucier on Instagram: @atelier_saucier
Candy Stripe Tea Towels; $40
MINNA
Home Decor, Rugs
MINNA believes that contemporary design should never sacrifice social responsibility. By collaborating with master artisans in Mexico and Central and South America, this woman-led team utilizes traditional techniques such as natural dyes and the pedal loom to create sustainable home goods that inject soul into any space. Founded in 2013 by Sara Berks, the Brooklyn-based home textile brand specializes in ethically made, socially responsible goods. Follow MINNA on Instagram: @oh_minna
Puzzle Pillow in Lemon; $190
Anna Karlin Studio
Lighting, Furniture, Glassware, Home Decor
Whether it’s a statement necklace or 22-foot custom lighting fixture, Anna Karlin knows how to maximize authentic beauty and refinement. The founder and designer of Anna Karlin Studio creates each fine jewelry piece, lighting fixture, and furniture item in her Chinatown studio. Follow Anna Karlin on Instagram: @annakarlinstudio
Element Wall Hanger; $672
Sien + Co
Furniture, Home Decor, Knitwear
Sien + Co is a luxury home decor and knitwear brand based in Park City, Utah. Founder Alexandra Gibson generated the idea for Sien + Co. after meeting a group of artisans while on vacation in Nepal. Each throw pillow, blanket, and basket is handcrafted with love in Peru or Argentina. Follow Sien + Co on Instagram: @sienandco
Luna Handwoven Wool Throw; $625
Sesstra
Furniture, Home Decor
Sisters Uliana and Marianna Lomsinko founded Sesstra to reflect their Soviet upbringing, fusing traditional materials with contemporary design. Follow Sesstra on Instagram: @_sesstra_
Marble Bookends; $350
Hudson Wilder
Tableware
Founded by New York City-based sibling duo Joyce and Conway Liao, Hudson Wilder’s contemporary take on tableware design will elevate any dining experience. Follow Hudson Wilder on Instagram: @hudsonwilder
Apsel Matte Flatware Set; $115
Ging-ko
Home Decor
Founded by couple Natalie and Paul Sun, Ging-ko’s products are crafted from sustainable materials such as bamboo and natural wood to perfect the balance between functionality, innovative technology, and refined design. Follow Ging-ko on Instagram: @gingkodesign
Accordion Lamp; $69
