Faye Toogood’s name is practically synonymous with her Roly Poly chair. With its chubby legs and bowl-like seat, the now-iconic piece epitomized the trend toward chunky forms that defined avant-garde furniture design in the 2010s. But the visionary British artist’s contributions go far beyond the chair and its similarly robust companion pieces, in disciplines ranging from textiles and ceramics to fashion and home interiors.
“I design holistically, with an overall vision across fashion, furniture and interiors,” she tells 1stDibs. “Furniture is something I return to over and over again and is a very strong part of this vision. I am interested in humans and the way they live — the spaces they inhabit, the clothes they wear, the objects they surround themselves with.”
After a childhood spent running free in the English countryside with nature as her playground, Toogood studied art history at Bristol University rather than attend art school. Her design approach is underpinned by contrast and understandably informed by art history, particularly the mid-20th-century modernism of such British artists as Barbara Hepworth and Alfred Wallis. “For me, it is about playing around with references and our associations, be that with materials or the precious and the raw, the masculine and the feminine,” she explains. “I’m able to use those contrasts to create friction.”
Toogood has exhibited at Phillips and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, the Triennale in Milan and D Museum in Seoul. In addition, her works are in the permanent collections of institutions worldwide, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art; Dallas Museum of Art; Denver Art Museum; High Museum of Art, in Atlanta; Corning Museum of Glass, in New York; the National Gallery of Victoria, in Melbourne; and the Fabergé Museum in St. Petersburg.
Shop furniture designs from Faye Toogood today on 1stDibs.
Faye Toogood, Roly Poly Cantilever Drawer, London, 2019 Wood, Soft Touch Lacquer
By Faye Toogood
Located in Barcelona, ES
Faye Toogood Roly poly cantilever drawer Manufactured by Faye Toogood London, 2019 Engineered wood, soft touch lacquer Drawer/Shelf Measurements: 50 cm x 50 cm x 20 H cm ...
Wood
Early Steelcase Wood & Steel Four Drawer File Cabinet, Circa 1920
By Steelcase
Located in Bainbridge, NY
Early Steelcase veneered Wood Four Drawer Filing Cabinet. Room Divider. Featuring a refinished warm Brown and Chestnut grained veneered hardwood to top, and drawer fronts, with side ...
Steel, Brass
$885Sale Price|20% Off
H 27.17 in W 16.54 in D 13.78 in
French Oak Bobbin Wood Three -Tiered Single Drawer Side Cabinet
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Trensacq, FR
Stylish oak bobbin wood side cabinet from mid-century France C1950. Beautifully turned and carved, medium oak, three-tiered side table with a single drawer in the style of Charles Du...
Oak
Lacquered Wood Cabinet with Chinese Seenes
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This beautiful two doors cabinet is made of black and red lacquered wood presenting Chinese sceens and decorations in gold tones. This is a French work. Circa 1940
Brass, Bronze
$5,742 / item
H 71.26 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
Modernist Secretary Cabinet, Lacquered Wood, Chrome-Plated Metal, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
German modernism free-standing secretary cabinet designed and manufactured by GMD Berlin. Wood lacquering in various colors and finish. Available on request in different amounts.
Steel
$12,500
H 41 in W 72.5 in D 16.5 in
Fred K. Ullmer London Double 32 Drawer Map Makers Flat File Printers Cabinet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Rare Antique Fred K. Ullmer London Double 32 Drawer Map Makers Flat File Printers Cabinet. Item features 32 drawers with various partitions (some with separators some without), plank...
Birch, Pine
$6,631Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 57.49 in W 47.64 in D 19.69 in
Modern Lacquered Wood & Metal High Board Cabinet, European Design
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Cabinet type: High board Finish: can choose Material: Wood, metal, lacquer Four push-pull doors and inside shelf. Metal base lacquered in same finish. Lacquer coating in variety of...
Metal
$96,000Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 93.25 in W 73 in D 20 in
Monumental Custom Brass and Lacquered Wood Display Cabinets
By Maison Jansen
Located in Dallas, TX
These magnificent display cabinets came from an upper east side home in NYC. They appear to be custom made and possibly Maison Jansen. They are solid brass with a lacquered wood finish. There is tempered glass on the back and the sides along with four push front glass doors on the front of each cabinet. Each cabinet has five glass shelves. The lower section of the display cabinets has four lacquered doors ornamented by beautiful hammered brass handles. Each concealed section has a lacquered shelf...
Brass
$1,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 51.75 in W 42.5 in D 16.5 in
Vintage Erotic Carved Wood Two Door Two Drawer Cabinet
Located in Stamford, CT
Vintage Erotic two door, two drawer carved wood cabinet imported from India. Each carved wood panel shows a different sex position. I believe the panels are older than the cabinet an...
Wood
$9,450 / item
H 71.26 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
Modernist Tubular Steel Cabinet, Lacquered and Veneered Wood, Customizable
By GMD Berlin
Located in Berlin, DE
Modernist tubular steel cabined made of lacquered and veneered wood, customizable. Production time 12-14 weeks.
Metal
French 2-drawer tv cabinet in oak wood
By Christophe Lecomte
Located in Landivy, FR
This TV cabinet belongs to the STELLA collection designed by Christophe Lecomte in Vendée, France. Graduated from the famous BOULLE design school in Paris, Christophe navigates very ...
Oak
$11,238 / item
H 35.83 in W 23.63 in D 16.93 in
3-drawer cabinet of lacquer carved wood and steel from SoShiro Ainu collection
By SoShiro
Located in London, GB
The Mini Aid Wellness Cabinet from SoShiro’s Ainu collection, a collaboration between award-winning artist Toru Kaizawa and Shiro Muchiri, was initially imagined as a large-scale med...
Stainless Steel
4 Drawer Painted Wood File Cabinets
Located in Pasadena, TX
These file cabinets are antiquated and have 4 drawers. The paint is original to the cabinets. The pulls are wood and original to the cabinets. Great for any office or library. We h...
Wood