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, Stella & Maris, Hand-made Armchair & 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: 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 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, 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, 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: 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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: 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, Shastool Series: Sha Thor, Contemporary High Stool, Israel, 2014
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...
Metal
$7,950
H 12 in Dm 36 in
Zebra Hide Ottoman, Chocolate & Cream, Round, Contemporary, USA Made, New Hides
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
$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
$4,259 / item
H 18.2 in W 25.2 in D 19.7 in
Footstool Silver Steel and Black Saddle Leather, Modern Style, Hug Collection
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Hug contemporary footstool and ottoman is designed and conceived with a light aesthetic, the slight oscillation of the steel rod of 12 mm i...
Brass, Steel
$4,259 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Contemporary Repose Ottoman Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Natural Leather
By Jover + Valls
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Repose contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turn...
Brass, Steel
$4,128 / 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
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
Ib Kofod-Larsen Reclining Lounge Chair and Ottoman
By Ib Kofod-Larsen
Located in Highland, IN
This reclining lounge chair and ottoman by Ib Kofod-Larsen combines sexy lines, incredible comfort, and great function. The chair features five positions of recline accommodating eve...
Birch, Upholstery
Natural White Fur Ottoman, Mongolian Sheepskin Pouffe
By Emily Barbara
Located in Dural, AU
What could be more luxurious than relaxing with this real fur ottoman! Whether styling a living room for seating or foot comfort or adding glam to a bedroom, this Mongolian fur pouf will look and feel amazing in any decor setting. Each fur ottoman boasts with the most beautiful and silky Mongolian sheepskin...
Sheepskin
De Sede DS-80 Taupe Patchwork Leather Pouf, Ottoman, DeSede Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Unique and decorative handmade De Sede DS-80 pouf. The pouf is in very good condition with lovely patina, high seating comfort. Free DHL shipping
Leather
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
$680Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 32 in W 21.5 in D 23 in
Mid Century Brown Jordan Cantilevered Outdoor Lounge Chair and Ottoman, 2 Piece
By Brown Jordan
Located in Basel, BS
Rare designer, sleek cantilevered outdoor lounge chair and matching ottoman set, perfect for your mid century ranch garden / patio / poolside, you na...
Chrome
Swedish Mid-Century Bentwood Swiveling Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Swedish modern swiveling lounge chair and ottoman. Sleek design with leather upholstery and rosewood frames and bases. A quality piece that is sure to please in any modern in...
Leather, Wood
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
"Shah" Unique Contemporary Stool by Ayala Serfaty
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
"Shah." Unique stool in handcrafted wool and silk felt from the Shastool series by Ayala Serfaty.
Metal
"Shah" Unique Contemporary Stool by Ayala Serfaty
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
"Shah" Unique stool in handcrafted wool and silk felt from the Shastool series by Ayala Serfaty.
"Doula" Unique Contemporary Stool by Ayala Serfaty
By Ayala Serfaty
Located in New York, NY
"Doula." Unique stool in handcrafted wool and silk felt from the Shastool series by Ayala Serfaty.