We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.

Although Sarah Sherman Samuel is best known for her curved shapes and minimalist-leaning palettes, her latest launch features a traditional detail she hasn’t yet added to her furniture designs: floor-grazing skirts.

velvet chair with box pleated skirt
Courtesy of SSS Atelier
closeup of alba chair armrest
Courtesy of SSS Atelier

“I’ve done quite a few skirted cabinets and sinks, but this is my first furniture piece with a pleated [one],” she says. “The box pleat feels structured and classic, but paired with the cylindrical shaped arms and low-slung back, it’s a contemporary play on a Victorian fainting sofa.” Swoon.

Berry colored velvet sofa with pleated skirt
Courtesy of SSS Atelier

With their petal-like pleats, the velvet Alba chair and sofa got their name from a Michigan wildflower, a nod to Samuel’s current home, Grand Rapids, and both are part of a new collection at SSS Atelier, the designer’s online platform for her self-produced pieces. Because they’re made from such a rich fabric, she suggests pairing them with raw wood, natural stone, and a shaggy wool rug.  

Dining chair with wood and leather
Courtesy of SSS Atelier

Speaking of…along with the plush furniture, Samuel launched the Kamp dining chair, inspired by childhood summers spent in tents with her family. Together, the three pieces create a Venn diagram of what the designer does best: cool shapes, nods to west Michigan, and ultra-covetable pieces.