Inspired by the natural world and the rich architecture of her native country, Joana Santos Barbosa’s modern furniture comprises a harmonious blend of organic forms and geometric accuracy. The award-winning architect and furniture designer is considered one of the top 10 contemporary designers from Portugal, with pieces created by her firm InsidherLand sought by interior designers, architects, hotel brands and modern furniture collectors worldwide.
Born in 1981 in Porto, Santos Barbosa studied architecture at the University of Porto. After graduating in 2006, she studied interior design at Central Saint Martins School of Arts and Design in London.
In 2012, Santos Barbosa formed the furniture design company InsidherLand which uses traditional Portuguese handcrafting techniques to create high-quality furniture, lighting, upholstery and home decor.
Elements of nature feature predominantly in many of Santos Barbosa’s designs, such as the Three Rocks side table, Tree Branches wall lamp, Na Pali coffee table and the Arizona mirror, which was named Best Furniture Design at the iLuxury Awards in 2021.
In contrast, several of Santos Barbosa’s pieces are influenced by architecture and symmetry. The Arches dining room chair (winner of Best Chair Design at the 2011 International Design and Architecture Awards), Looshaus table lamp and rounded Niemeyer armchair and sofa (named for legendary Brazilian modernist designer and architect Oscar Niemeyer) are some examples.
Barbosa’s designs, which she describes as “falling between sinuous elegance and harsh aggressiveness,” have gained worldwide attention among critics and industry experts. She was invited to exhibit at the XX Triennale International Exhibition, and her works have been shown regularly in exhibitions throughout London, Paris and Milan. Several international publications have also featured her designs, including Harper’s Bazaar (Vietnam), Architectural Digest (Spain) and Interior Designer (UK).
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Joana Santos Barbosa seating, tables and lighting.
Art Nouveau style mustard velvet walnut Na Pali 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Na Pali means “the cliffs” and is a breathtaking landscape located on Kauai, a volcanic island resulting from the rain and the blasts of winter waves against t...
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric, Wood
$8,125Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern curved oak COM Niemeyer II round sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer II round sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the His...
Oak, Fabric, Wood
$9,161Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary white bouclé oxidized brass Foz 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Foz is a grand sofa that gathers surprising details of a beach located in Porto, in the north of Portugal. Designed in layers, the contour of the sofa is an ode to the sea waves tha...
Brass, Metal
Organic nature-inspired brass handmade COM Figueroa 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa sofa. The long curves of the mountain were taken to th...
Brass, Metal
$6,520
H 35.44 in W 84.65 in D 39.38 in
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet Curved Sofa for Minotti, 1950s
By Gigi Radice, Minotti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Sofa designed by Gigi Radice for Minotti. Made with solid wood structure and ivory velvet upholstery and polished brass legs. The sofa is authentic, only the upholstery has been repl...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Peter Hvidt Style Sofa
By Peter Hvidt
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique midcentury sofa features stylish curved armrests, original studded upholstery, and a unique finish. Please confirm item location (NY or ...
Upholstery
Mid-Century Modern Two-Seater Sofa by Jens Risom, Walnut Frame, 1955
By Jens Risom
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A small, vintage Mid-Century Modern American two seater sofa or settee with four pillows, designed and produced by Jens Risom Design, Model U-151, in good condition. The seat, back rest of the divano is slightly inclinated with a button-tufted back and two straight arms, supported by a hand crafted Walnut frame, standing of four small curved wooden feet. Newly upholstered in an orange velvet. Wear consistent with age and use, circa 1955, New York, United States. Seat: 18.5" H x 44.5" W x 19.5" D Pillows: 20" H x 20" W x 7" D Jens Risom was a Danish, American furniture designer born in 1916, in Copenhagen, Denmark and passed away in 2016, in New Canaan, United States. He finished his apprenticeship as a designer at the Copenhagen School...
Fabric, Upholstery, Velvet, Walnut
Guglielmo Ulrich Art Deco Italian Velvet Sofa, 1940s
By Guglielmo Ulrich
Located in Puglia, Puglia
A large Italian sculptural sofa designed by Guglielmo Ulrich, very comfortable. Recently upholstered in light blue velvet with a light gray velvet border, in a minimalist way, which ...
Velvet, Beech
Classic Mid Century Modern Scandinavian Sofa
Located in Dronten, NL
Classic compact Danish 1940s sofa in original dark grey/brown upholstery. One-off piece made in the high end old school way with straps and horsehair interior that is made to last fo...
Fabric, Wood
$6,182Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 66.93 in D 33.47 in
Fleure Two-Seater Sofa by Stuart Scott, Cameo Pink Cotton Velvet, Brass Legs
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Special Edition Fleure Two-Seater Sofa is a beautiful adaptation of the award-winning Fleure design. The Fleure range combines traditional style cues with a contemporary feel. The fluting on both seat and back offer an eye-catching effect, especially in the shown luxurious cotton velvet upholstery. Shown here upholstered in a chic Cameo pink cotton velvet...
Brass
$25,000
H 31 in W 82.5 in D 36 in
Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo Three-Seat Sofa with Gilt Metal Legs, Italy 1950s, COM
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in New York, NY
Gio Ponti for ISA Bergamo elegant and sculptural three-seat sofa with gilt metal legs, Italy, 1950s. The sofa will be fully restored and ready for upholstery in the customer’s own ma...
Metal
$11,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 31 in W 75 in D 30 in
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Settee Sofas
Located in North York, ON
Pair of Vintage Mid-Century Modern Walnut Settee Sofas. Iconic Mid-Century design, 1970’s America. Masterfully restored in an ebony wood finish with brass foot caps. Completed in a l...
Brass
$6,500
H 29 in W 90 in D 30 in
Mid-Century Modern Gondola Style Sofa Pearsall Attributed Oatmeal Upholstery
By Adrian Pearsall
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern Gondola style sofa pearsall attributed oatmeal upholstery.
Upholstery, Walnut
$6,905Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 78.75 in D 33.47 in
Contemporary Channeled Fleure 3 seater Sofa in Denim Blue Velvet and Brass Legs.
By Stuart Scott
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Award winning Fleure Signature Edition is our latest revival of the award winning Fleure 3 Seater Sofa, reimagined in this premium cotton velvet upholstery. This signature piece...
Brass
A Stunning Three Seater Sofa in the Aviator Style
Located in Dublin, IE
A stunning three seater leather and walnut framed contemporary sofa in the aviator style, of fabulous quality and with gorgeous patination and grain. Bea...
Leather, Wood
Leather 4 Seater Chesterfield Sofa
Located in Westwood, NJ
A classic long leather 4 seater Chesterfield sofa. The unusual long tufted chesterfield sofa is ideal for a long entry hall, living room, a hotel l...
Leather, Wood