DESIGNER OF THE DAY

Designer of the Day: Ben Willett

Ben Willett approaches furniture with a spatial perspective—a natural extension of years spent working as a creative director designing spaces, experiences, and events for Nike and The North Face. So when the pandemic provoked a move from New York to Los Angeles, he found designing pieces for his own home wasn’t so difficult. His debut collection for his new venture Willettspace, a series of warm wooden furnishings imbued with gentle curves and personal touches, proves his “furniture for spaces, spaces for furniture” mindset can transform the feeling of a room—and is one that designers would be wise to heed.

Ben Willett approaches furniture with a spatial perspective—a natural extension of years spent working as a creative director designing spaces, experiences, and events for Nike and The North Face. So when the pandemic provoked a move from New York to Los Angeles, he found designing pieces for his own home wasn’t so difficult. His debut collection for his new venture Willettspace, a series of warm wooden furnishings imbued with gentle curves and personal touches, proves his “furniture for spaces, spaces for furniture” mindset can transform the feeling of a room—and is one that designers would be wise to heed.

Here, we ask designers to take a selfie and give us an inside look at their life.

Age: 37

Occupation: Furniture and spatial designer.

Instagram: @willett

Hometown: Altadena, CA.

Studio location: Altadena, CA.

Describe what you make: I design furniture for spaces and spaces for furniture.

The most important thing you’ve designed to date: The living room of my house. It’s where we spend all our time and I’m constantly inspired.

Describe the problem your work solves: I design products that lead people to a more holistic living environment. The furniture is for the space and the space is for the furniture. The problem I’m solving is spaces that are disconnected from the furniture that lives within them.

Describe the project you are working on now: My first full line of furniture, which will embody this ideology of the symbiosis between furniture and space. I’m also designing custom furniture for a retail environment, a few offices, and homes. 

A new or forthcoming project we should know about: Designing custom furniture/fixtures and a few architectural elements for a store in West Adams, L.A., that’s opening in fall 2024.

What you absolutely must have in your studio: Bjorn Corn, hip hop/R&B, about six different drinks, and my weenie dog nearby.

What you do when you’re not working: Thinking about furniture 100 percent of the time, or playing tennis.

Sources of creative envy: Ana Kras. I’m constantly impressed by her versatility.

The distraction you want to eliminate: Notifications. More than just silencing devices.

Concrete or marble? Currently marble.

High-rise or townhouse? Townhouse. Never a high-rise.

Remember or forget? Remember always.

Aliens or ghosts? Ghosts seem tight.

Dark or light? Aye, can’t choose!

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