Contemporary designer Evan Fay blends imagination with utility, most evident in his Lawless seating collection. For each Lawless creation, tubular cushions woven into a gridlike metal frame form a distinctively knotted seat — its function as furniture not fully apparent until closer inspection. Here, Fay rides the line between craft and art, bringing the two disciplines together with masterful skill.
Fay was born in Traverse City, Michigan, in 1989. He earned a BFA in 2014 from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, where he studied furniture design, and went on to earn his MFA in three-dimensional design from Cranbrook Academy of Art, which was a go-to art school for the masters of mid-century modernism.
After finishing grad school in 2016, Fay and Ayako Aratani cofounded the design studio Aratani Fay in Detroit, where the two operate independently but often collaborate and assist each other in their work.
Aratani worked for seven years as an industrial engineer in Tokyo before also attending Cranbrook. Fay and Aratani met in their first year of their master’s program and quickly hit it off. They went to the Netherlands together to intern for Kiki van Eijk, and there, they both honed their own distinct philosophies on design.
Fay continues to create fascinating furniture at his Detroit studio, along with Aratani.
On 1stDibs find Evan Fay lounge chairs, sofas and benches.
$23,336 / item
Pair of Lawless Stools, Evan Fay
By Evan Fay
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of lawless stools, Evan Fay Each is a unique hand-sculpted creation by Evan Fay Dimensions: W 19” D 19” H 25” inches and W 19” D 19” H 20” inches Materials: Steel, brass, foa...
Brass
$1,200 / item
H 18.51 in W 19.3 in D 13 in
Hand-Crafted Sculptural Teak Wood Stool in Organic Modern Style
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural teak wood stool featuring a curved seat. The mix of wood textures and shades adds to its charm. Its neutral color and minimalist shape make it suitable for a...
Teak
$1,600 / item
H 16.54 in W 31.5 in D 13 in
Sculptural Stool with Curved Seat Suar Wood, Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural stool with a curved seat. The stool's neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versatile piece. This...
Wood, Fruitwood
$3,200
H 32.5 in W 24 in D 19 in
Sculptural Wrought Iron and Astrakhan Wool 'Arcature' Stool by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural 'Arcature' stool (or side chair) by Design Frères. Wrought iron base with Astrakhan wool seat. Pair available.
Steel
Set of Five Scandinavian Stools, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Nordic stools in rich brown wood with four pegged legs. Very nice patina and good condition. Seat height 45 cm.
Wood
$1,650 / item
H 18.9 in W 35.44 in D 11.82 in
Sculptural Stool with Curved Seat & Hand Hewn Detailing, Burnt Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural stool with a curved seat and hand hewn detailing. Its rich black pigment was achieved through burning the wood three times. The stool's neutral pigment and s...
Wood, Fruitwood
$3,365 / set
H 26.38 in W 22.84 in D 20.08 in
Pair of English Mahogany 19thc Polychrome Painted ‘X’ Frame Stools
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 Pair of English Mahogany 19th Century Polychrome Painted ‘X’ frame stools with gouge decoration. Later velvet upholstery. Price is for the pair sku 755 W58 ...
Mahogany
Sculptural Round Teak Wood Stool
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural round teak wood stool. The stool is hollow in its center, however its unique leg structure allows it to remain robust and sturdy. I...
Teak
Mango Wood Stool Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wonderfully sculptural stool was crafted using mango wood. The chair sits on 4 slender legs. Its neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versat...
Wood, Fruitwood
$780 / item
H 18.12 in Dm 15.75 in
Sculptural Mango Wood Stool, Hand-Crafted, Organic Modern Design, New
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A sculptural mango wood stool with a mix of textures and shades. This stool features wonderful elongated and slender legs. The legs have been sanded d...
Fruitwood
$3,200
H 32.5 in W 24 in D 19 in
Sculptural Wrought Iron and Astrakhan Wool 'Arcature' Stool by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sculptural 'Arcature' stool (or side chair) by Design Frères. Wrought iron base with Astrakhan wool seat. Pair available.
Steel
Mango Wood Stool Modern Organic
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This wonderfully sculptural stool was crafted using mango wood. The chair sits on 4 slender legs. Its neutral pigment makes it perfect for any space. A uniq...
Wood, Fruitwood
$1,200 / item
H 20.08 in W 23.63 in D 12.41 in
Sculptural Mango Wood Stool with Curved Seat, Natural Finish
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderfully sculptural stool with a curved seat. The stool's neutral pigment and subtle wood texture makes it perfect for any space. A uniquely sculptural and versatile piece. This...
Wood, Fruitwood
Pair of Lawless Stools, Evan Fay
By Evan Fay
Located in Geneve, CH
Pair of lawless stools, Evan Fay Each is a unique hand-sculpted creation by Evan Fay Dimensions: W 19” D 19” H 25” inches and W 19” D 19” H 20” inches Materials: Steel, brass, foam, scuba knit Lawless chair...
Brass