Ayala Serfaty is a contemporary artist and designer who marches to the beat of her own drum. Endeavoring to blur the line between practical furnishings and sculptural focal points, her armchairs, table lamps and wall lights are as dazzling in appearance as they are functional.
Ayala Serfaty was born in 1962 in Tel Aviv. She studied fine arts at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in Jerusalem before moving to London, where she attended Middlesex University. After graduation, she moved back to and chose to settle in Tel Aviv. She continued painting, sculpting and studying fine art until the 1990s when she also began designing furniture.
Ayala Serfaty told the Wall Street Journal that inspiration struck in 1996 while on a snorkeling vacation at the Red Sea. Upon returning to Tel Aviv, she established Aqua Creations Lighting and Furniture Atelier and took on the designer and creative director role. Today, she is also regularly collaborating with Maison Gerard in New York City.
Serfaty's unique and handcrafted approach to furniture design and production means that each piece is entirely one of a kind. Every sculptural creation draws from an eclectic well of ancient traditions and modern design sensibilities. It can take up to six months from concept to completion.
Serfaty is perhaps best known for her SOMA lighting collection. The ethereal lamps are made from woven glass, giving them the look of organically grown crystals in underwater caves. They have a fantastically tactile appeal, which is an attribute of many of her designs.
She has exhibited at the London Design Museum, the Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art in Israel, and Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York City. Her furniture has also been shown by Maison Gerard at the 2016 Winter Antiques Show and the 2021 Salon Art + Design. Her work is held in the collections of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
On 1stDibs, find Ayala Serfaty seating, lighting, decorative objects and more.
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series, Kuramura Blue, Handmade Armchair, Israel, 2020
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Rapa Series consists of pieces felted by hand, recalling ancient textiles. Utilizing wool and silk, these one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces are softly molded ...
Wool, Felt
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series: Dessa Leh, Contemporary Lounge Chair, Israel, 2017
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Rapa Series consists of pieces felted by hand, recalling ancient textiles. Utilizing wool and silk, these one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces are softly molded ...
Wool, Felt, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series: Conchas, Armchairs with Shared Ottoman, Israel, 2020
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Rapa Series consists of pieces felted by hand, recalling ancient textiles. Utilizing wool and silk, these one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces are softly molded ...
Wool, Felt
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series, Herena, Handmade Armchair, Israel, 2023
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Rapa Series consists of pieces felted by hand, recalling ancient textiles. Utilizing wool and silk, these one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces are softly molded ...
Wool, Felt
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series, Herena, Handmade Armchair, Israel, 2023
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Rapa Series consists of pieces felted by hand, recalling ancient textiles. Utilizing wool and silk, these one-of-a-kind fiber art pieces are softly molded ...
Wool, Felt
$5,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28 in W 34 in D 35 in
Contemporary Natural Oak Lounge Chair by Ellen Degeneres Parkdale Chair
Located in North York, ON
Contemporary natural oak lounge chair by Ellen Degeneres Parkdale Chair. Beautiful contemporary design with thick natural light show wood. Featuring pl...
Fabric, Oak
Diana Armchair in Blue Soft or Black Soft Velvet
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair Diana upholstered in blue soft velvet with structure in solid wood. Feet in steel in gold finish. Also available in yellow or black soft velvet.
Velvet, Wood
French Reconstruction Lounge Chair
By Pierre Guariche, Jean Prouvé
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Presenting a remarkable armchair from the 1950s. Inspired by the timeless designs of mid-century masters, this chair pay homage to the iconic styles of renowned designers such as Pie...
Oak
"Atalho" Contemporary Lounge Chair by Domingos Tótora
By Domingos Tótora
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
In the work of Domingos Tótora beauty is inseparable from function. Therefore, having as the starting point of his creation the use of recycled cardboard as the main medium for his d...
Parchment Paper
Mid Century Leather Armchair
Located in Westwood, NJ
Mid-Century Modern style leather upholstered armchair with a floating headrest, with vintage style aniline top grade brown leather with a tub back form, cushion seat and raised on sp...
Leather
$2,080 / item
H 29.53 in W 35.83 in D 31.5 in
Modern Organic Style Armchair and Foot Stool in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
Mid Century Baby Blue Vintage Armchair, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
A wonderful small armchair made in the 1960s in Poland. Stable design of the furniture and a comfortable seat. Furniture after full upholstery renovation, refreshed woodwork. The who...
Textile, Beech
$2,552 / item
H 30 in W 29 in D 32 in
Customizable Walnut Finish and Herringbone Lounge Chair with Cane – Soho Series
By Uultis Design
Located in Miami, FL
A Soho armchair with walnut finish, natural cane back and gray and white fabric. *Please check availability prior to purchase*. Introducing the Soho armchair, designed by Sérgio Batista for Uultis, where timeless elegance meets modern comfort. Inspired by vintage aesthetics, this chair features a sculptural wooden frame with walnut finish, gracefully contoured to highlight its fine craftsmanship. The curved backrest is woven in natural cane, creating an airy yet supportive feel, while the seat cushion, wrapped in a sophisticated gray and white herringbone fabric...
Fabric, Cane, Wood
Pair of Dunbar Style Ottomans with Brass Legs
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of Classic midcentury ottomans or foot stools. Very heavy and thick brass legs, in the style of Dunbar.
Brass
$1,760 / item
H 29.53 in W 35.83 in D 31.5 in
Modern Organic Style Collana Armchair in Solid Wood, Leather Flexible Seating
By SIMONINI
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." THE ARMCHAIRS The Collana armchairs are a celebration of refined design and unparalleled comfort. Crafted to elev...
Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood
$6,141 / item
H 28.75 in W 30.71 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Lounge Chair Hello by NOOM, Jacquard Upholstery, Dedar Tiger Beat
By Denis Sokolov, NOOM
Located in Paris, FR
Designed to make a statement, the HELLO collection blends artful geometry with soft, inviting forms. Perfect as an accent chair or sculptural lounge piece, HELLO is ideal for modern ...
Sheepskin, Ash, Faux Fur, Velvet, Bouclé, Mohair, Wool, Fabric
Smooth Blue Armchair Lounge
Located in Paris, FR
Armchair lounge smooth blue upholstered with foam in polyurethane covered by a polyester fibre quilting and a goose down. Removable cover. Available in: L107xD100xH80, seat height...
Fabric, Foam, Feathers
Ayala Serfaty, "Dito Rosso, " Contemporary Armchair, Israel, 2018
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
The upholstery of this chair is made of finely woven layers of felt and mimics forms in nature like seabed coral or crystalline rocks, which develop over years of growth or accretion...
Felt, Silk, Wool
Dessa & Lotta Leh, Armchair & Footrest by Ayala Serfaty, Israel, 2017
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Unique armchair & footrest in handcrafted wool and silk felt by Ayala Serfaty.
Wool, Felt
Akka Leh I Unique Armchair and Footrest by Ayala Serfaty
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Akka Leh I. Armchair and footrest in handcrafted wool and silk felt by Ayala Serfaty. Footrest dimensions: Height: 18", width: 39", depth: 22". Please note this item is by c...
Metal
"Lotta Leh III, 2011" Unique Contemporary Armchair by Ayala Serfaty
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
"Lotta Leh III, 2011" Unique armchair in handcrafted wool and silk felt by Ayala Serfaty