7 Design-Forward Brands to Replace Jonathan Adler

Published on: November 14, 2024
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Jonathan Adler's maximalist aesthetic has become almost synonymous with modern home decor - those bold geometrics, those cheeky motifs, that distinctly irreverent take on luxury. But while Adler's been busy building his empire, a new generation of designers has been quietly revolutionizing the home goods landscape. We've discovered seven brands that are bringing fresh perspectives to the table, proving there's more than one way to make a statement in modern design.
These creators share Adler's rebellious spirit but march to their own distinctive drums. From rugs that could hang in MoMA to ceramics that make us question everything we thought we knew about table settings, here's our look at the innovators crafting the future of home decor.

: Where Neuroscience Meets Bath Towels

The Field Stripe Cotton Terry Bath Towel might look like pure design eye candy, but there's serious science behind those stripes. Ellen Van Dusen didn't just wake up one morning and decide to make pretty patterns - she studied the psychology of visual perception, and it shows. Her designs are essentially experiments in how our brains process color and shape, wrapped up in the form of everyday objects.
We're particularly intrigued by how Van Dusen plays with unexpected color combinations that shouldn't work but absolutely do. It's like she's found some secret formula for making clashing hues play nice together. Her academic background gives these designs an intellectual heft that elevates them beyond mere decoration, while maintaining an accessibility that makes them feel right at home in, well, your home.

Why we like Dusen Dusen

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    Science-Backed Design

    Patterns based on visual perception research

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    Bold Color Theory

    Masterful combinations of unexpected hues

  • 3

    Everyday Functionality

    High-concept design in practical, usable forms

Amanda

Amanda

05/23/24

These work really well and are so fun to give as gifts—an upgraded basic

Shannon Ross

Shannon Ross

02/02/24

these make me happy every time I pull something out of my oven

: The Store That Thinks It's an Art Gallery

The Shrimp Cocktail Coupe from Coming Soon perfectly encapsulates what happens when two art world insiders decide to reinvent retail. Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria have created more than just a store - it's a carefully orchestrated collection where every object feels like it was discovered in some impossibly cool alternate universe.
Their Lower East Side space reads like a gallery where everything's for sale, mixing vintage treasures with contemporary pieces in ways that make both feel fresh. We're fascinated by how they manage to create dialogue between objects from different eras and makers. Their curatorial approach transforms shopping into something that feels more like exploring a museum where touching (and buying) is encouraged.

Why we like Coming Soon

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    Curated Experience

    Gallery-like approach to retail

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    Cross-Era Dialogue

    Thoughtful mixing of vintage and contemporary pieces

  • 3

    Art World Perspective

    Elevated shopping experience with curator's touch

: The Rug Makers Who Think They're Abstract Expressionists

When we look at Cold Picnic's Purple Noon rug, we can't help but think of what would happen if Helen Frankenthaler decided to work in wool instead of paint. Founders Phoebe Sung and Peter Buer seem to approach each design as if they're creating art for your floor, drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as film noir and national parks.
Their process starts with hand-painted studies that eventually become woven works, preserving the spontaneous energy of the original artwork in the final piece. These aren't just rugs - they're conversations starters that somehow manage to be both bold artistic statements and practical floor coverings. The duo's ability to balance creative expression with functionality makes their pieces feel both ambitious and approachable.

Why we like Cold Picnic

  • 1

    Artistic Process

    Hand-painted studies transformed into woven pieces

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    Diverse Inspiration

    Drawing from film noir to natural landscapes

  • 3

    Functional Art

    Bold statement pieces that work in real spaces

Katie G

Katie G

07/31/24

This rug makes my room look so chic! The pop of colors reminds of an Andy Warhol art piece.

: Where Ceramics Break All the Rules

Virginia Sin's Prong Fruit Bowl looks like it could have been excavated from some futuristic archaeological dig. Her studio approaches ceramics with the kind of experimental spirit usually reserved for avant-garde sculpture, creating pieces that make us question our assumptions about what tableware should look like.
Each piece from Sin's studio feels like it's been touched by multiple creative disciplines, reflecting her varied background. The surfaces beg to be touched, featuring unexpected textures that transform everyday objects into tactile experiences. It's this attention to both visual and physical interaction that gives her work its distinctive character.

Why we like Sin

  • 1

    Sculptural Approach

    Ceramics that challenge traditional forms

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    Tactile Experience

    Unique textures that engage multiple senses

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    Cross-Disciplinary Design

    Influence from various creative fields

Advika Aggarwal

Advika Aggarwal

05/15/24

Such a beautiful counter top piece. Perfect for holding fruits. Been a great present as well.

: The Matchmaker of Design and Manufacturing

The Everything Nice Butter Dish exemplifies Areaware's talent for turning clever concepts into objects we never knew we needed. By connecting independent designers with production resources, they've created a platform where experimental ideas can become reality without losing their creative spark.
Their model has proven particularly effective at identifying emerging talent and helping translate conceptual designs into functional products. We appreciate how they maintain each designer's unique vision while ensuring the final pieces meet high production standards. The result is a collection that feels curated rather than manufactured.

Why we like Areaware

  • 1

    Designer Platform

    Supporting independent creative voices

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    Production Excellence

    High-quality manufacturing of conceptual designs

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    Vision Preservation

    Maintaining artistic integrity in mass production

Yoyo

Yoyo

06/13/24

I know its a hot topic to leave your butter out or put it in the fridge, but with this, I can’t help but want to put my butter on display like a little ornament!

B

Brittany

04/25/24

patiently waiting to receive this as a housewarming gift 😌

: Design for the Instagram Age

The Bur Rug from Mush Studios shows what happens when designers truly understand both physical and digital spaces. Founded by Jacob Winter and Franki Peroff during lockdown, the studio creates pieces that look as striking on your phone screen as they do in your living room.
Their secret sauce lies in understanding how design exists in multiple dimensions simultaneously. Each piece seems carefully considered for both its real-world presence and its social media potential. This dual-consciousness approach has resulted in designs that feel thoroughly modern without sacrificing substance for style.

Why we like Mush Studios

  • 1

    Digital-Physical Balance

    Designs that work in both real and virtual spaces

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    Modern Perspective

    Contemporary approach to traditional forms

  • 3

    Visual Impact

    Strong aesthetic presence across all platforms

Hayley Villapudua

Hayley Villapudua

07/31/24

If you have this, you totally watched Lizzie Mcguire as a kid, and it shows.

: The Try-Before-You-Buy Design Revolution

The Azalea Vase represents PIECES by An Aesthetic Pursuit's fresh take on helping people understand bold design in context. The brand, led by Jenny Kaplan, Chris Corrado, and Taisha Coombs, has cleverly created shoppable short-term rentals where their pieces can be experienced in fully realized environments.
Their fashion industry background shows in how they think about context and presentation. We're impressed by their understanding that seeing a design piece in isolation is entirely different from experiencing it as part of a complete environment. This holistic approach demonstrates how even the most dramatic pieces can feel natural when thoughtfully integrated into a space.

Why we like PIECES

  • 1

    Experiential Shopping

    Innovative try-before-you-buy concept

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    Contextual Design

    Understanding pieces in their environment

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    Fashion-Influenced

    Bringing fashion industry insights to home goods

Design's New Guard

These seven brands represent different facets of design's evolution beyond the familiar territory of maximalist modernism. Each brings its own perspective while maintaining high standards for quality and creativity. Whether through innovative materials, unexpected collaborations, or novel retail approaches, they're showing us new possibilities for bringing personality into our spaces.