Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.
Age: 40
Occupation: Furniture designer.
Instagram: @_atelier_fm
Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Studio location: New York.
Describe what you make: I create modernist pieces of furniture that aim to blend the sculptural and the functional. My focus is on creating elegant and simplistic designs that carry on an emphasis on exceptional craftsmanship and materials. Atelier FM’s mission—through our debut Continuous Series, which we just recently introduced, and every collection going forward—is to create timeless designs with a refined attitude that will hopefully continue to stay relevant through different trends and generations to come.
The most important thing you’ve designed to date: Our whole debut Continuous Series. There was a lot of love, time, trials, attention, and intention put into creating this collection that represented all of me but was able to speak to others as well. This collection was born years ago and initially intended to be almost completely made up of metals such as brass and steel. As time went by and after living with most of these pieces in my own home, I realized although I was in love with the idea and overall vision, it just wasn’t a representation of me anymore. I evolved as a woman and each piece evolved with me.
I then decided to reevaluate the materiality and make a drastic change. Take a chance and recreate each piece using high-end wood veneers instead. This exercise was very insightful and gratifying and when the right time came, I felt it was fitting to properly share them with the world. It was a very personal process. Lots of learning, especially given the fact that I’m a self-taught artist and designer. This, together with working with some of the most talented and skilled artisans out there was an incredibly enriching and unforgettable experience.
Describe the problem your work solves: One of my main goals is to create pieces of furniture that bring beauty and warmth into the world. That will become a significant part of someone’s home, their sanctuary, that will ignite their senses and stay relevant for years to come. A design that is “quiet” and never “shows off,” yet when you see it, it will hopefully evoke a good conversation, a feeling of positivity.
Describe the project you are working on now: I am still fully dedicated to working on the launch phase of our Continuous Series this summer. We established a pop-up gallery in Tribeca until mid-August as a chance to display our pieces. It’s been so lovely to have people come by the gallery and explore the pieces in person. Although the photos capture their beauty so well, I believe nothing beats seeing and exploring the work in real life—to be able to appreciate its details and craftsmanship in person.
A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Professionally, this year has been dedicated to finalizing our debut collection and its launch campaign. Although I already have some ideas for what’s coming next for Atelier FM and my new collection, I’d like to focus my attention on making sure Continuous Series gets the visibility it deserves. Once I wrap up this summer pop-up gallery this month, my goal is to start planning our next gallery, which will most likely take place in winter 2023 or spring 2024 for a month or two.
Personally, an extremely important “project” in my life is the birth of our third child this September. All of this, together with raising our two young daughters you can imagine my heart, hands, and mind will be full.
What you absolutely must have in your studio: Beauty. Things that inspire me. I have lots of drawings that my children made everywhere. On my desk, inside my planner, sketchbook, everywhere. It’s one of my main inspirations. They are so beautiful and honest. Personal photographs, art and design books. Fresh flowers and music as well, although most of the time I must say I prefer to work in silence.
What you do when you’re not working: Most of my time is dedicated to spending with my family, my husband, and our two young daughters. Our family lives between New York and Tbilisi, Georgia. When I am in Tbilisi, I spend most of my time creating special memories with them at home, but whenever we are in New York I get more of a chance to explore one of my passions visiting art and furniture galleries and museums, on my own and with my children as well. Their curiosity and witnessing how they interpret everything they see is always very inspiring to me aside from what we are there to experience. I can tell they already enjoy it from a very early age. Also traveling and catching up with close friends when I have a moment is very important to me.
Sources of creative envy: Jean-Michel Frank, Alberto Giacometti, Constantin Brancusi, Pierre Chareau, Oscar Niemeyer, Lucio Fontana, Antonio Carlos Jobim… Oh so many who I admire and respect.
The distraction you want to eliminate: My phone.
Concrete or marble? Between the two, marble, but my real love is travertine.
High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse.
Remember or forget? Remember.
Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts.
Dark or light? Both.
