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: 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: 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, 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: 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: 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
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: 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 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 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 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, 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: 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 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 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 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, 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
De Sede Patchwork Black Leather Pouf
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous black leather pouf by Swiss designer De Sede with small rectangular patchwork. Perfect accent piece. Good vintage condition.
Leather
Zebra Hide Ottoman with Decorative Mane, Round, Wood Legs, USA Made
By Area ID
Located in New York, NY
Decorative zebra hide ottoman. Zebra hides are from South Africa and the ottoman is made in NJ. Measures: diameter is 36 inches and height is 12 inches. The mane of the zebra is very...
Zebra Hide
$1,016
H 12.6 in Dm 20.87 in
De Sede DS-80 Black Patchwork Leather Pouf, Ottoman, Stool, DeSede Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Unique and decorative handmade De Sede DS-80 pouf in black leather. The pouf is in very good condition. - Two identical in stock -
Leather
$4,034 / 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
Unusual Adrian Pearsall Armchairs with Ottomans
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
A pair of sculptural armchairs by Adrian Pearsall for Craft Associates, model #2291-C. Beautiful walnut frames with exaggerated, angled arms, curved backs and unusual slanted legs. ...
Walnut
$2,016Sale Price|30% Off
H 20 in W 18 in D 16 in
Swivel Clear Lucite Waterfall Vanity Stool by Charles Hollis Jones
By Charles Hollis Jones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charles Hollis Jones "Waterfall" vanity stool. Has been professionally reupholstered in a light chenille fabric with gold flecks. Gold castor legs all roll smoothly. Swivel base...
Lucite
$1,366Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.97 in W 30.32 in D 20.87 in
ORIGINAL ViNTAGE GEORGE SMITH KILIM UPHOLSTERED FOOTSTOOL FOR 2 PEOPLE TO SHARE
By George Smith
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely original George Smith Kilim upholstered two person footstool Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price. A good looking well made and decorative footstool, George Smith Kilim upholstered furniture...
Upholstery, Hardwood
$3,198
H 14.97 in Dm 15.56 in
Art Deco Vintage Beech Pouf Stool Tabouret Josef Frank Fabric 1930s Austria
Located in Vienna, AT
Art Deco vintage pouf or stool or ottoman with three beech wood feet designed and manufactured 1930s Austria. An amazing stool covered with fresh and colorful textile fabric designed...
Beech
$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
Eco-Friendly Zebra Hide Cube Ottoman from South Africa
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
Poul Kjaerholm for E. Kold Christensen pk33 Stool
By Poul Kjærholm
Located in London, GB
In original condition with nice patina to the leather. Poul Kjaerholm pk33 for E. Kold Christensen. Denmark c1959 This is stamped
Steel
$2,741 / 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
Foot Stool in Red Offered by Vladimir Kagan Design Group
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Clifton, NJ
Vladimir Kagan Foot Stool in Red. Pairs with Multi-position Reclining chair. Vladimir Kagan (1927-2016) emigrated to the United States from Germany ...
Leather
1970s Stool with Brass Base and Black Velvet Upholstery, 2 Available
Located in IT
Stools with brass base and velvet recently reuphostered seats. We have 2 available. Price refers to one stool. Size of each stool diameter 33 cm ...
Brass
$2,146 / item
H 17.33 in Dm 25.2 in
La Folie Velvet Pouf Ottoman in Wine with Silk Fringes, Handmade by DOOQ
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
With voluptuous curves and perfect poise, the Mid-Century Modern inspired La Folie Pouf Ottoman exalts passion and fantasy as if you were in a burlesque show at Moulin Rouge. Let you...
Silk, Velvet
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