Rute Martins Benches

Rute Martins, Creative Director and co-founder of Greenapple, has been at the heart of the brand's designs since its establishment in 2005. As the creative force behind Greenapple, Rute designs every piece, from the core collection to bespoke creations that bring clients' concepts and desires to life.

Alongside iconic pieces like the Bordeira coffee table and Biloba sideboard, she has developed bespoke interior designs for clients around the world, including projects in New York, Miami, London, and Switzerland. Her work has been featured in 1stDibs Introspective magazine, Incollect magazine, and the Financial Times’ How to Spend It.

Born and raised in Portugal and mother of five, including two sets of twins, Rute holds a degree in economics. After founding Greenapple with her husband Sérgio, the company’s CEO, she shifted from her economics background to pursue her true passion for design, earning a design degree in Lisbon.

Drawing inspiration from Portugal’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Rute’s designs embody meticulous precision, unique creativity and a personal touch, characterized by organic and contemporary elements. With an intuitive talent for design, Rute channels her creativity into each piece, much like a composer or writer expresses their inspiration through their art. Her deep understanding of client preferences and aspirations allows her to seamlessly balance her sensibilities with her clients’ dream designs. 

Find Rute's designs for Greenapple, including seating, tables, cabinets, lighting and more on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Greenapple)