Potter-turned-home-design guru Jonathan Adler is a man with a peripatetic mind, inspired in equal parts, it seems, by classic modern design, Surrealism and pop culture.
Although his namesake company has expanded into a mini empire touching just about every aspect of modern living — chairs and ice buckets, wallpaper and menorahs, chandeliers and rugs — made in myriad materials, Adler still creates almost every object in clay first. His guiding principle is a simple one: “I make the stuff I want to surround myself with, and I surround myself with it.”
Adler grew up in a New Jersey farm town. His grandfather became a local judge, and his father returned home after graduating from the University of Chicago. “My pop was a brilliantly talented artist. At one point, he had to decide whether to become an artist or a —,” he pauses, searching for the right word, “person.” His father became a lawyer but spent all his free time in his studio, “making art, unencumbered by the need to make money from it. It was a totally pure pursuit.” Adler’s mother, who had worked at Vogue and moved to the rural town reluctantly, was also creative, and both parents encouraged their three children’s creativity.
When he was 12, Adler went to sleepaway camp, where he threw his first pot. “And it was on,” he says. His parents bought him a pottery wheel, and he spent the remainder of his adolescence elbow-deep in clay. Even while majoring in semiotics and art history at Brown University, he hung out at the nearby Rhode Island School of Design, making pots.
Adler moved to New York City, worked briefly in entertainment, and in 1993 returned to his true love, throwing pots (in exchange for teaching classes) at a Manhattan studio called Mud Sweat & Tears. One day, at Balducci’s food market, he ran into Bill Sofield, an old friend who had recently cofounded, with Thomas O’Brien, the now-legendary Aero Studios, a design firm and shop. Sofield paid a studio visit and promptly gave him an order. Then, another friend introduced Adler to a buyer at Barneys New York, who also wrote an order.
For about three years after Adler began devoting himself to ceramics full-time. Despite the street cred of both Aero and Barneys, he also wasn’t really making enough money to live on. Then, in 1997, he teamed with Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit aimed at creating economic opportunity for skilled artisans in developing countries, and traveled to Peru to hire potters who could follow his designs, thus increasing production.
Adler’s first store opened in 1998, in the Soho shopping mecca in Manhattan. He now operates about two dozen shops, as far-flung as London and Bangkok. During Adler’s trip to Peru, he connected not only with potters but also with several talented weavers and decided to branch out into textiles. Other categories followed, leading him to travel the world in search of artisans who could execute his endless supply of ideas. In India, Adler found a man who’s expert at beadwork; he has his limed furniture made in Indonesia, his honey-colored wood pieces in Vietnam.
After a friend asked him to decorate her house, Adler expanded to interior design, taking on hotels as well as private residences — projects for which he remains “agnostic,” using pieces by other designers. “I really try to get to know my clients and then make them seem more glamorous and more eccentric than they think,” he says. “I see myself as a slimming mirror for them.”
Find Jonathan Adler seating, case pieces, decorative objects and other furniture on 1stDibs.
$3,500 / item
Bond Burled Wood Dining Table
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly chic. From our chic burled wood collection, a Minimalist dining table that feels organic, worldly, and wonderfully warm. Naturally honey-hued, pieced mappa wood...
Brass, Nickel
Contemporary Modern Square Coffee Table by Jonathan Adler
By Jonathan Adler
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This beautiful Mid-Century style coffee table features a black and white zebra patterned design. The elaborate style and sturdy construction make this contemporary modern piece an im...
Wood
Large Italian Modern Solid Wood Square Coffee Table 1970s
By Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Exceptional large-scale Italian Modern solid wood coffee table, dating to the 1970s and distinguished by its architectural construction, beautifully figured wood grain and impressive...
Wood
CAST – Minimalist Oval Dining Table in Walnut Wood
By Pedro Sottomayor
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Elevate your dining space with this minimalist modern oval table, expertly handcrafted in Portugal using premium walnut wood. With a sleek 220 × 110 cm oval top and seamless finishe...
Wood, Walnut
Andrianna Shamaris Modern Teak Wood Dining Table
By Andrianna Shamaris
Located in New York, NY
Impressive three and a half teak table handmade from recycled teak wood. It is believed that teak wood is the best wood for outside use, especially considering the fact that boats ar...
Wood, Teak
$2,012 / item
H 8.27 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Modern Coffee Table 'Quarter', Square Glass Top, Smoked Oak, Low
By Friends & Founders
Located in Paris, IDF
Coffee table 'Quarter' by Friends & Founders. Dimensions : H. 21 x 120 x 120cm. Model shown: Square tabletop and smoked oak legs OPTIONS - Shape of the tabletop : Square: ...
Glass, Oak
$1,005Sale Price|20% Off
H 20.48 in W 29.53 in D 29.53 in
Cassina, Mid-Century Modern Italian Design Square Light Wood Coffee Table
By Cassina, Afra & Tobia Scarpa
Located in Firenze, IT
A very slick vintage Italian solid wood coffee table designed by Tobia and Afra Scarpa for Cassina in 1960s. Table top is a double-sided, could be easily removed from the base that ...
Wood
1970s Large Square Coffee Table
Located in Paris, FR
Large square coffee table with stainless steel base square section. Top covered with a sheet of acid oxidized brass coated with a clear lacqu...
Stainless Steel, Brass
Black Slate Top Chrome Square Coffee Table, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Very nice designed square black granite top coffee table will stand out in every living room. It works with a modern or the classic style of your place.
Granite, Chrome
$4,000 / item
H 16 in W 42 in D 42 in
Modern Industrial Coffee Table by Peter Harrison. Square Glass, Metal, Wood
By Peter Harrison
Located in Middle Grove, NY
The Hana coffee table by Peter Harrison joins squares of solid walnut with industrial aluminum brackets. The base is semi-symmetrical having the same elements pointing up as down, ye...
Aluminum
CAST – Minimalist Extensible Dining Table in Oak Wood
By Pedro Sottomayor
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Transform your dining space with this extendable oak table, minimalist modern design, handcrafted in Portugal. Designed as part of the versatile Cast collection, this 220 × 110 cm o...
Wood, Oak, Plywood
$8,410 / item
H 15.75 in W 43.31 in D 43.31 in
Geometric Square Coffee Table, Walnut Veneer, Basa by Nono
By NONO
Located in Ciudad de México, CDMX
Geometric coffee table, walnut Veneer, Basa by NONO Square coffee table finished with premium wood veneer, structured with particle board. Finishes ava...
Wood
$3,293 / item
H 29.34 in W 43.31 in D 86.62 in
CAST – Minimalist Retangular Dining Table in Walnut Wood
By Pedro Sottomayor
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
CAST table - A simple and versatile design that can be used with different table tops shapes and sizes – be it round, oval, rectangular or square. It is ideal for a wide range of use...
Wood, Walnut
$1,700
H 17 in W 48 in D 48 in
Large Lacquered Square Coffee Table w/ Chrome Plinth Base By Directional 1970s
By Directional
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Mid Century Modern plinth base modern white lacquered coffee table with chrome plinth base and glass top. This piece is by Directional and attributed to Paul Evans circa 1970. This beautiful mid-century cocktail table is a statement piece for any living room. In form, this piece is square, and tapers down to its chrome plinth base. Painted in a white / creamy hue, on the outside and top, it also features inset glass. A great option for use during cocktails or drinks. Glass is insert to about 2” – 3” from the edge of the top. We've seen similar coffee tables featured in Elle Decor and House Beautiful. A wonderful piece that can stand the test of time. Directional furniture is extremely well made and will be a purchase that can stand the test of time. The overall color of this coffee table/cocktail table is a creamy white color. A great staple piece for any living room. Should colors change in a design plan, this piece can hold its own and always be a classic incorporated with other colors. Wonderful vintage condition with some chips to lacquer around the sides, as well as under the glass top. Some signs of wear to the chrome plinth base such as light scratching and discoloration. How We Would Style It: We think this piece deserves to be placed on a brightly colored rug...
Glass, Wood, Lacquer
Scandinavian Designer Black Wood Oval Dining Table
Located in Paris, FR
This dining table combines the smooth top oval shape with wooden slats on the asymmetrical feet. It’s minimalistic elegance contrasts with the robust materials inspired in the Nordic design. A functional and iconic table that makes a great addition to your dining room. This table is made of sustainable birch plywood using CNC cut with innovating waste efficiency technology. We are using the highest quality woods with natural non-toxic glues and paint. This piece is assembled and finished by professional craftsmen. You can choose between two different color sets. We offer free shipping to Europe...
Birch
Bodil Kjær Principal Dining Wood Table by Karakter
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Table designed by Bodil Kjær in 1961. One of the last living mid-century Scandinavian design pioneers and a female pioneer in the field of architecture in her time, Bodil Kjær, c...
Wood
$1,783 / item
H 29.34 in W 78.75 in D 35.44 in
FRAME– Minimalist Retangular Dining Table in a Ash Wood
By Depping & Jørgensen
Located in Lisboa, Lisboa
Elevate your dining space with this minimalist rectangular ash table — a refined blend of architectural simplicity and artisan craftsmanship, handcrafted in Portugal. Designed with t...
Wood, Ash
Electrum Brass and Nickel Accent Table
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Mixed metals. A swirling constellation of polished brass and polished nickel rods topped with mirrored glass, our electrum accent table is the perfect cocktail perch. With a simple, but kinetic form and a glamorous combo of brass and nickel...
Brass, Nickel
Bond Burled Wood Dining Table
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Timelessly chic. Pieced, burled mappa top with a wonderfully durable satin matte finish on a polished nickel base with matte brass Campaign corners. A ...
Brass, Nickel
Reform Brass Cocktail Table
By Jonathan Adler
Located in New York, NY
Organic modernism. Attenuated ribs of sand-cast brass with subtle carvings and considered cutouts form the sculptural base, which is topped with a sheet of tempered glass. Each proto...
Brass