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Here’s the thing about open-concept living in a small Brooklyn apartment: Your view from the living room is mostly likely a visually chaotic one-wall kitchen. But when you’re a pair of designers—one of interiors and furniture, the other of experiences—like Stephanie Betesh and Nicholas Steigmann are, you turn your problem into a genius business idea. Last week, during Afternoon Light’s inaugural design fair, Shelter, the two pros debuted Riffmade, a line of of reimagined storage furniture for spaces of all sizes, but especially teensy ones.
Betesh and Steigmann’s very first design was the fix for their kitchen conundrum: a freestanding island with a butcher-block top (for food prep) and built-in curtains (for storing pots, pans, and spices out of sight). “That piece became the seed for a collection meant to bring a sense of home to your daily rhythm,” they share.
Riffmade’s four main offerings—the island in two sizes, plus a side table and a desk—all highlight the clutter-busting powers of a humble swath of fabric. “Curtains bring warmth to your space, are lightweight for use and shipping, and open up a new canvas for textile expression,” they say. “Where a door swings open, a curtain has a more fluid transition—a tactile way to shift states.” Plus, a specially-designed track system allows you to swap out the fabric—there are currently 10 options—when you’re in the mood for a change.
With the flick of your wrist, a workstation by day becomes a console by night and a nightstand takes on a second job as a charging hub. Read on for a closer look at the collection.
The Hearth Island
All of the furniture is built in North Carolina out of white oak, the island included. Even the inside was meticulously thought through—shelves at varying heights can fit all manner of tools and devices, plus there’s a vertical slot for cutting boards and baking sheets.
The Veil Desk
A two-tiered design makes it possible to tuck away your monitor behind the desk’s curtain when 5p.m. rolls around, so all you see is your enviable ceramics collection up top.
The Hearthlet Island
About half the length of the Hearth island, this mini version has the same towel rod and optional spice rack but a simpler four-shelf interior.
The Nook Table
Betesh and Steigmann named the Nook the most versatile in the collection. “It works beautifully as a side table or nightstand, and can also be wall-mounted as a floating shelf in entryways, bathrooms, kitchen niches, or wherever you need a little surface with character,” they explain. “It brings a quiet sense of order to any room.”
