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, Shastool Series: Sha Date, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Pollock, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series: Daura & Justo, Armchair & Ottoman, israel, 2013
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 over organic sculptural structures, which are both artistic and comfortable. Fabricated in 2017 specifically for Design Miami...
Wool, Felt
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Lips, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
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, Shastool Series: Muare, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series: Nimana White, Handmade Poof, Israel, 2022
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, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Kurama, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Amaro, Contemporary Barstool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Amaro, Contemporary Barstool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Green Plum, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Patina, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Lime, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Agava, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Rustin, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Sha Kurama, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2019
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Wool, Silk
Ayala Serfaty, Rapa Series: Nimana Green, Handmade Poof, Israel, 2021
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, Silk
Brown Leather Pouf with Sheepskin Shearling Foot Stool
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
What a great way to add a stylish addition to your living room comfort with this brown leather pouf. Featuring an Italian grained leather trimmed with Australian curly wool shearling...
Sheepskin
Ottoman-Zebra Hide Cube
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced ...
Zebra Hide
$3,065 / item
H 17 in Dm 18 in
Contemporary Modern Hygge Stool in Boucle Fabric &Travertino Marble by Collector
Located in Castelo da Maia, PT
Hygge Collection is inspired by contemporary architecture in Portugal that Speaks of its Romanesque past by honoring the antiques geometris, such as the arch and the column. Saccal D...
Travertine
$1,250 / set
H 16.5 in W 19.25 in D 13.5 in
Pair of Italian Mid Century Modern Zebra Hide Stool Ottomans
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
A stylish pair of vintage 1970's ottomans featuring dark-finished tapered legs and authentic zebra hide upholstery. These sculptural pieces are ideal as footstools or as flexible "ta...
Animal Skin, Wood
$9,450 / set
H 32 in W 36 in D 26 in
George Smith Damask Down Velvet Castors Armchairs & Ottoman, Set of 3
By George Smith
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
The beautiful rare collection is statement piece which is also extremely comfortable and packed with personality! We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning, signature armchairs...
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Down
Pair of Mid Century Ottomans with Cushion Tops
By Edward Wormley
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Ca. 1960. A stylish Square ottoman pair in a dark brown stain with square legs reminiscent of the type of furniture designed by Edward Wormley and produced by Dunbar from roughly the...
Wood, Fabric
$6,250 / set
H 37.5 in W 34 in D 40 in
George Smith England Tufted Leather Armchair & Ottoman with Brass Casters
By George Smith
Located in San Diego, CA
This exceptional armchair and matching ottoman are by George Smith of Newcastle, England, one of the most respected names in English upholstered furniture. Handcrafted by skilled art...
Brass
Ottoman-Zebra Hide Cube
Located in New York, NY
This Zebra hide cube ottoman provides a true ‘out of Africa’ sense to any space. Each ottoman has been upholstered with ethically and sustainably-sourced Burchell's Zebra hide. Due t...
Zebra Hide
$1,408Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$2,080 / item
H 29.53 in W 35.83 in D 31.5 in
Modern Organic style armchair in Solid Wood, Upholstered 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
Kristian Vedel Modus Rosewood Ottoman
By Kristian Solmer Vedel
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pretty Kristian Vedel Modus rosewood ottoman from the 1960s. Black tufted leather cushion is in good condition with age-appropriate wear. The rosewood f...
Leather, Rosewood
$2,893 / item
H 21.66 in W 26.38 in D 26.78 in
Chill Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Nanna Ditzel, New Edition
By Nanna Ditzel, Sika Design
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Copenhagen. She left in 1946, and the same year she founded her own design studio with her husband Jorgen Ditzel. The particular and ergonomic shape of this rattan chair ensures inc...
Rattan
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Lips, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
AYALA, Shastool Series: Shah Green Plum, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
Ayala Serfaty, Shastool Series: Shah Lips, Handmade Stool, Israel, 2022
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
Shastool 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 over organic sculptural...
Steel
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
Ayala Serfaty, "Shah" Unique Contemporary Stool, Israel, 2014
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
"Shah" Unique stool in handcrafted wool and silk felt from the Shastool series by Ayala Serfaty.
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