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.
$11,868 / 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
$11,868 / 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
$10,034 / 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
$11,868 / 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
$11,868 / 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
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
Curule Iron Bench
Located in Houston, TX
Iron curule stool with boxed linen seat cushion. Also available C.O.M.
Iron
Pair of Gray Shearling 'Strapontin' Stools by Design Frères
By Gilbert Poillerat, Design Frères
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
$5,990 / set
H 17 in W 16 in D 16 in
Pair of French Modernist ‘Bauhaus’ Stools with Upholstered Seats by Hermès
By Hermès, Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina
Located in New York, NY
Rare and Exquisite Pair of French Mid-Century Modern Bauhaus style benches / stools fabricated with chromed tubular steel with seat fabric by Hermès. The pieces feature a rare curved...
Steel, Chrome
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
Bench in Camel Boucle 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 designed by Vintola...
Fabric, Bouclé, Beech
Long Bermuda Bench By Edward Wormley
By Edward Wormley
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Classic and elegant "Bermuda" bench by Edward Wormley for Dunbar ca' 1950's. This is the hard to find long version. Reupholstered in patinated leather with brass nail heads.
Leather, Mahogany
Sleek Black Leather Bench Designed by Milo Baughman
By Milo Baughman
Located in Dallas, TX
Clean lined bench designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin. Newly upholstered black leather seat; tufting and piping add visual interest. With conical gold legs. Perfect for extra...
Wood
Brass X Form Bench
Located in Atlanta, GA
Brass X form bench, American, circa 1950s. This bench has been recently reupholstered in an ivory color boucle fabric. The brass base retains its original...
Metal, Brass
$2,337 / item
H 18.9 in W 29.93 in D 14.97 in
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
Daphne Solid Teak Side Stool
Located in Toronto, Ontario
The Daphne stool is crafted of solid teak. This stool can be used in wet conditions such as showers, poolside, etc. The sleek lines of the top are com...
Teak
Black Sculpted Contemporary Chair by FAINA
By Victoria Yakusha
Located in Geneve, CH
Sculpted Indoor contemporary chair by FAINA Design: Victoriya Yakusha Material: steel, flax rubber, biopolymer, cellulose Dimensions: Height: 106 x Width: 45 x Sitting place width...
Steel