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.
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
Contemporary geometric brown velvet brass Fernandine sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Brass, Metal
$6,544Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern curved cream bouclé dark oak Niemeyer II sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer II sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of the ...
Fabric, Oak
$4,019Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary geometric brushed brass COM Fernandine sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Fernandine walls are a part of History that embraces the city of Porto, located in the north of Portugal. These medieval fortifications topped off by battlements were completed d...
Brass
$3,689Sale Price / item|20% Off
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
$3,398Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern organic curved oak handmade COM Niemeyer sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind....
Oak, Fabric, Wood
$4,951Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature-inspired sculptural velvet ebony Eagle 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspired by the story of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters, the profile of the Eagle sofa presents the shape of the golden eagle’s massive wings. Entirely handcraft...
Velvet, Ebony, Fabric, Wood
$14,952Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern white bouclé dark oak Niemeyer II round sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
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 History of hum...
Bouclé, Oak, Fabric, Wood
$2,621Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern walnut handmade in Portugal COM Western sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Western is a captivating armchair that recreates the image of an old cowboy hat standing in a saddle rack. The top of the sofa performs the concave hat with rounded tabs and the band around it turns into a comfortable cushion. The base in walnut approaches the structure and color of the saddle rack. Having a modernist inspiration at a first sight, the Western sofa...
Fabric, Walnut, Wood
$4,660Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature-inspired sculptural ebony handmade COM Eagle 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspired by the story of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters, the profile of the Eagle sofa presents the shape of the golden eagle’s massive wings. Entirely handcrafte...
Fabric, Ebony, Wood
$6,505Sale Price / item|20% Off
Organic nature-inspired cream bronzed brass Figueroa 3 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
$3,592Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature Art Nouveau style walnut handmade COM Na Pali 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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, Wood
$4,757Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature Art Nouveau style walnut handmade COM Na Pali 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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...
Walnut, Fabric, Wood
$3,825Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern organic round oak COM Niemeyer II sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer II sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of the ...
Fabric, Oak, Wood
$4,563Sale Price / item|20% Off
Organic nature-inspired steel handmade COM Figueroa 3 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...
Stainless Steel, Metal
$3,980Sale Price / item|20% Off
Organic nature-inspired onyx velvet brass Figueroa 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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
$6,699Sale Price / item|20% Off
Nature-inspired sculptural chenille ebony Eagle 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Inspired by the story of the Kazakh Eagle Hunters, the profile of the Eagle sofa presents the shape of the golden eagle’s massive wings. Entirely handcraft...
Fabric, Ebony, Chenille
$6,058Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary geometric oxidized brass COM Foz 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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...
Metal, Brass
$5,534Sale Price / item|20% Off
Mid-Century Modern round white bouclé oak handmade Niemeyer sofa by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind....
Bouclé, Oak
$8,932Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary white bouclé bronzed 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
$4,380Sale Price / item|20% Off
Figueroa Two-Seat Sofa, Bronzed Brass, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
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 t...
Brass, Metal
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
$3,728Sale Price / item|20% Off
Organic nature-inspired brass handmade COM Figueroa 2 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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
$8,932Sale Price / item|20% Off
Contemporary white bouclé oxidized brass Foz 3 seat sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
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 t...
Brass, Metal
Mid-Century Modern round Damasks & Lampas oak Niemeyer II sofa by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer II sofa is named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines of the ...
Fabric, Oak
Organic nature-inspired cream blend brass Figueroa 3 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 the sofa’s exterior and the mountainside ripples were placed on the inside. The top of the sofa features the great bow of the skyline and both fabric and stainless steel base reunite in the soft curves that go all around this compact creation. Just like the mountain meets the land. Handcrafted by a very talented team of Portuguese furniture...
Stainless Steel, Metal
$5,048Sale Price / item|20% Off
Art Nouveau style mustard velvet walnut Na Pali 3 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 the cliffs. Inspired by Mother Nature, the Na Pali sofa portrays in detail the mystique of the dramatic backdrop with striated walls and sharp ridges. The image of the coast is captured by wooden sides extending as cliffs and the front feet get the form of the sculpted needles across the landscape. The curvy lines of the sensual sofa...
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric, Wood
$2,408Sale Price|24% Off
H 27.96 in W 64.18 in D 31.5 in
20th Century French Chocolate Brown Two-Seated Velvet Sofa with Set of Cushions
Located in Sofia, BG
20th century velvet sofa in chocolate brown with set of cushions. France, circa 1950.
Velvet
$11,008 / item
H 28.35 in W 86.62 in D 44.1 in
Organic Modern Twins Curved Sofa, White Bouclé, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
By Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Organic Modern Twins Curved Sofa, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. The Twins curved sofa and its matching daybed share the same genes, yet each maintains a distinct identity, forming a pair defined by perfect asymmetry. With sculptural curves and sumptuous upholstery, the Twins curved sofa embodies both contemporary elegance and refined artistry, creating a lounging experience of unparalleled comfort. A favorite among designers, it stands as the ideal centerpiece for today’s most sophisticated interiors. Designed by Rute Martins, Greenapple's Creative Director. The Twins Sofa...
Fabric, Bouclé, Wood
$18,480
H 31.5 in W 64.18 in D 35.44 in
Sofa MP-163, by Percival Lafer, Brazilian Mid-Century Modern Design
By Percival Lafer
Located in São Paulo, SP
Crafted by the renowned master Percival Lafer in 1970, this exceptional piece of furniture boasts a striking and comfortable design. Its clean lines and unique details, such as elega...
Steel
Mid-Century Modern Italian Damask Velvet Corner Sofa, 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Original Italian corner sofa from the 1950s, the upholstery is from the time, in damask velvet, in good condition but the intervention of the upholsterer is recommended.
Velvet, Beech
Danish Curved 'Banana' Sofa in Beech and Wool, Mid-Century 1940s
By Viggo Boesen, Slagelse Mobelvaerk
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Banana shaped Viggo Boesen style curved sofa made in Denmark in the 1940s. This sofa will make a strong statement in any room. Beautiful round organic lines and iconic drop shaped fe...
Beech, Wool
$1,560Sale Price|50% Off
H 34.65 in W 57.88 in D 31.5 in
Mid-century Modern Italian Curved Small Sofa 1950s
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Curved sofa from the 1950s, Italian production. Original upholstery of the time, we recommend replacing the fabric.
Velvet, Beech
$9,270
H 36.23 in W 76.78 in D 32.68 in
Gigi Radice Mid-Century Modern Italian Velvet 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 light gray velvet upholstery and polished brass legs. The sofa is authentic, only the upholstery has been...
Brass
Vintage 1961 Mid-Century Modern Sofa by Kroehler, Chicago
By Kroehler Mfg. Co.
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A rare and fully documented example of early 1960s American modernism, this Kroehler sofa carries an extraordinary provenance detail: the original purcha...
Upholstery
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
$6,655
H 35.44 in W 74.81 in D 36.62 in
Attributed Gio Ponti Mid-Century Modern Velvet Sofa for ISA, 1950s
By ISA Bergamo, Gio Ponti
Located in Puglia, Puglia
Elegant and splendid three-seater sofa with high backrest attributed Gio Ponti, 1950s, for ISA Edizioni, Bergamo. Carved profile, refined lines, sensual and deep comfort. The ivory v...
Velvet, Beech, Fir
$37,240Sale Price|30% Off
H 25.2 in W 78.75 in D 34.26 in
Mid-Century Modern "Cubo" Sofa by Brazilian Designer Jorge Zalszupin
By Jorge Zalszupin
Located in New York, NY
This recently upholstered cubo (Cube) sofa was designed by Jorge Zalszupin (1922-2020) in the 1970s. The elegance, a feature of Zalszupin designs, on this piece does not come from ...
Velvet, Wood
Mid-Century Post Modern Loveseat or Sofa Produced by Preview Furniture
By Preview
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A sculptural base with floating front sofa made by Preview circa 1992. It features the original tweed fabric in good condition. Could use cleaning before use.
Fabric