After experiencing the 2014 Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine, furniture designer and architect Victoria Yakusha sought in her work to preserve, revive and celebrate Ukrainian culture. A deep connection with nature and a sustainable construction approach connects her designs to the Earth and centuries-old traditions. By drawing on techniques and materials native to her home country, Yakusha creates award-winning collections of furniture, lighting and décor with an organic modern design style.
Growing up, Yakusha fostered an affinity for Ukrainian primitivist and folk artists including self-taught painter Maria Prymachenko. She later studied architecture at Prydniprovska State Academy in Ukraine and the National Institutes of Science and Technology in France. In 2006, she opened YAKUSHA, a multidisciplinary studio, and in 2014, she launched her furniture brand, Faina.
Faina uses materials from Ukraine and employs local specialists to craft furnishings, often entirely by hand. The brand developed its own living material, ztista, a moldable dough composed of recycled metal, cellulose, wood chips and clay. Faina also uses a historic craft technique known as valkuvannia, which involves coating a solid surface with a mixture of straw, hay and natural clay. It enables sculptors to form highly textured pieces including chairs, benches and lamps.
Yakusha’s work has been presented around the world, including at the 2018 and 2020 Paris Design Week, 2017 Stockholm Furniture Fair, 2018 and 2020 Milan Design Week and 2015 and 2018 Bologna Design Week. She won recognition from the ELLE DECO International Design Awards in 2019, Art Space Interior Awards in 2020 and the 2020 Arte Laguna Prize for Art Design. In 2021, Yakusha’s Istetyka interior in Kyiv became the first Ukrainian project to win in the Dezeen Awards for the Bars & Restaurants category.
On 1stDibs, find a collection of designs by Victoria Yakusha including seating, tables, decorative objects and more.
$11,200
SONIAH bench
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The Yakusha studio’s philosophy of live design invites one to go inward by interacting with millenea-old techniques, customs and primeal materials. Laconic, yet spirited; deeply conn...
Textile, Foam, Ash
$9,797 / item
Grun’ Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Grun’ Bench by Faina Dimensions: W 134 x D 44 x H 46 cm Material: Textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. The bench further explores the theme of animism, featuring forms that evoke ...
Fabric, Foam, Wood
$11,588 / item
Big Duzhyi Stool by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Big Duzhyi stool by Victoria Yakusha Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend of paper, clay, hay,...
Clay, Wood
$11,588 / item
Volyk Bench I by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Volyk bench I by Victoria Yakusha Limited Edition of 12 Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend of...
Clay, Wood
$11,588 / item
Volyk Bench II by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Volyk bench II by Victoria Yakusha Limited Edition of 12 Dimensions: D 87 x W 30 x H 57.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable material Ztista - a blend ...
Clay, Wood
$5,480
ZTISTA bench
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA / Ukrainian for made of dough / ZTISTA bench — hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material — ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to...
Steel
$3,550
ZTISTA chair
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA / Ukrainian for made of dough / ZTISTA chair — hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material — ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to...
Steel
$13,700 / item
PLYN bench
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
The PLYN collection (meaning "fluidity" in Ukrainian) eloquently embodies the essence of water and the adaptability of life itself. Inspired by the ever-changing forms of nature, PLY...
Textile, Ash
$11,588 / item
Medium Duzhyi Stool by Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium Duzhyi stool by Victoria Yakusha Dimensions: D 51.5 x W 37 x H 47.5 cm Dimensions: D 84 x W 30 x H 56.5 cm. Material: Hand-sculpted in the author's signature sustainable mater...
Clay, Wood
$6,340 / item
GRUN' bench
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
MATERIAL: textile, foam rubber, sintepon, wood. Colors palette: more than 40 colors in 3 categories are available. Please kindly note that handcrafted items may slightly differ in s...
Textile, Wood
Bench in Hand Tufting Wool, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Beech, Wool
Pair of Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
By Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of shearling 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères. Chic and understated. Also great as a two-part bench.
Iron
Reflection Stool from The Collection by Michael Del Piero
By Michael Del Piero
Located in Wainscott, NY
21st Century hand-finished Aluminum Reflection Stool. Designed by Michael Del Piero. Rusty Finish Aluminum.
Aluminum
Pair of Gray Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
By Design Frères, Gilbert Poillerat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of chic gray shearling 'Strapontin' stools by Design Frères. Matte black steel base with grey shearling upholstered seats.
Steel
Pair of Antique Benches
Located in Lymington, GB
A pair of antique benches, or forms. One is 18th century, the other later. Of rich, golden color and well-figured. N.b. 2" thick solid planks. Both are sturdy and ready-to-use. Measures: L 7’6" (230 cm) W 10" (25.5 cm) H 1’7" (48 cm). These look great en suite with an antique refectory or farmhouse table, for which they would have been originally designed. This type of bench or form would harmonise well in any interior, whether modern or traditional. During the 16th and 17th centuries refectory...
Wood
$5,975
H 18.75 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of Mid-Century Modernist Stools with Button Detailing by Harvey Probber
By Harvey Probber
Located in New York, NY
This elegant and refined pair of stools were designed by the legendary Harvey Probber and handmade in Fall River, Massachusetts circa 1960. Probber believed that "aging gracefully" r...
Walnut
$1,287 / item
H 18.9 in W 29.93 in D 14.97 in
Bench in Dedar Lilaz Fabric, by Vintola Studio, Europe, Poland
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Contemporary Bench inspired of 1960s style. The bench consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Bench was design...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
The 'Strapontin' Gilt Metal and White Hide Stool by Design Frères
By Gilbert Poillerat, Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Strapontin' gilt metal and white hide stool by Design Frères.
Steel
ZTISTA Chair by FAINA / Victoria Yakusha
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Miami, FL
ZTISTA chairs - hand-sculpted of FAINA’s eponymous material - ZTISTA a sustainable blend of clay, hay and other recycled materials, designed to one day return to nature. ZTISTA is a...
Steel
Foot Bench in Oak
By Project 213A
Located in Macieira de Sarnes, PT
This playful design is part of Project 213A's hand carved wooden "foot series"; inspired by a classic milking stool, this bench comes with three foot shaped legs and one uneven leg. ...
Chestnut, Oak
Mora Bench
Located in Northfield, MN
The Mora bench introduces textile to our line up and we welcome this new form to our familiar pieces. The bench is being offered with and without a cushion ...
Walnut
Biedermeier Piano Bench
Located in New York, NY
Lovely antique piano bench with internal compartment for music sheet storage. The perfect accompaniment to a beautiful piano, this piece is suitabl...
Birch
Outdoor Sculpted Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Outdoor Sculpted contemporary Indoor bench by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dimensions: Length 110 x height 82 x width 52.5 c...
Fabric
Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary bench by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textile, wood, foam, rubber, sintepon Dimensions: H 49 x W 124 x L 33 cm In ...
Textile, Foam, Wood
Contemporary Bench by Faina
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Contemporary bench by Faina Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: Textile, wood, foam, rubber, sintepon Dimensions: H 49 x W 124 x L 33 cm...
Textile, Foam, Wood