Philia
Magazine

Hugo França is a Brazilian artist and designer whose practice centers on transforming discarded tree trunks, roots, and fragments into sculptural works and functional objects. Working from his studio in Trancoso, França begins each project by carefully selecting raw wood based on its texture, organic form, and the marks shaped by time and nature.

His creative process is rooted in an ongoing dialogue with the material itself. Drawing directly onto the wood, França follows the natural paths, cracks, and curves formed by the tree, allowing nature to guide the final form. Through a reinterpreted use of the chainsaw, tree trunks and roots are sculpted rather than cut away, resulting in works that are both expressive and sustainable.

Blending craftsmanship, environmental awareness, and sculptural presence, França’s work celebrates the inherent beauty and life embedded within reclaimed natural materials.

Grzegorz Majka is a self-taught Polish artist who explores the concepts of modularity, sculptural form, and artisanal processes in the design of furniture and lighting. His work seamlessly blends craft and contemporary design, incorporating high-quality noble materials like natural stone, wood, metals, and hand-blown glass. Guided by a deep respect for the inherent character of materials, Grzegorz highlights natural irregularities, textures, and patterns – veins in stone, the living patina of untreated metals, the organic feel of brushed surfaces. These elements are not hidden but embraced, inviting collectors on a sensory journey through touch and time.

His studio practice focuses on handcrafted limited-edition furniture that is not only functional, but also living, authentic, and collectible art.

Ransom & Dunn is a lifestyle and interiors brand founded by American-born, London-based designers Julia Ransom and Johanna Dunn. Established with a commitment to balance, the studio explores the intersection of aesthetic and function, classic and contemporary, strength and sensuality.

Drawing from backgrounds in fashion, retail, and finance, Ransom and Dunn bring a considered, curatorial approach to furniture and objects designed as enduring cornerstones of the home. Their debut collection reflects a dialogue between neoclassical references and 20th-century design, realised through tactile materials such as marble, stone, wood, and rich textiles. United by a shared vision of timeless living, the duo creates refined pieces shaped by both visual restraint and purposeful design.

Luis Gimeno is a furniture and lighting designer whose practice is guided by timeless design, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Creating made-to-order pieces, he embraces a thoughtful approach that prioritizes quality, longevity, and low-impact production over mass manufacturing. Inspired by the organic forms of 1960s and 1970s design, Gimeno works with natural materials such as wood, glass, and sand to create warm, sculptural objects that balance everyday function with enduring beauty. Rooted in material honesty and thoughtful making, his work seeks to foster a lasting connection between people and the spaces they inhabit.

Fred&Juul is the design studio of Federico Minarelli and Julie Janssen, whose practice explores the intersection of architecture, collectible design, and traditional craftsmanship. After studying architecture in Florence and founding an architectural practice specializing in residential renovations, the duo launched their first furniture collection in 2012, collaborating with local Tuscan artisans. Characterized by refined proportions, precious materials, and meticulous craftsmanship, their work balances organic elegance with geometric clarity, creating timeless pieces that bridge architecture, contemporary design, and artisanal heritage.

Christian Friedl is an Austrian designer and furniture maker based in Styria whose work explores the intersection of sculptural form, craftsmanship, and materiality. Working primarily with natural materials, he creates collectible pieces distinguished by their refined simplicity, tactile presence, and timeless character.

Rooted in a deep respect for handcraft and sustainability, Friedl’s practice transforms raw materials into singular objects that balance functionality with artistic expression.