These Design-Forward Home Brands Make One Kings Lane Look Like Yesterday's News

Published on: November 19, 2024
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One Kings Lane changed the game for online home decor shopping when it launched. But the digital retail landscape has evolved, and we're seeing fascinating new players emerge in the home goods space. While these brands may not have One Kings Lane's widespread name recognition (yet), they're bringing fresh perspectives on everything from handwoven textiles to avant-garde furniture. Let's explore some remarkable alternatives that are reshaping how we think about home design.

: Where Colombian Folk Art Meets Modern Geometric Design

The Matrix Rug from Dana Haim stops us in our tracks every time we see it. Its bold geometric patterns, hand-tufted in wool, showcase how traditional craftsmanship can speak a thoroughly contemporary design language.
We're intrigued by Haim's unique position as a Colombian-American fiber artist who bridges multiple worlds. Her work with artisans across Oaxaca, Guatemala, Colombia, and India isn't just about producing beautiful objects - it's about documenting and preserving handmade textile techniques that risk being lost to time. The results are pieces that carry cultural depth while fitting seamlessly into modern interiors.
Her approach to color and pattern feels especially sophisticated. Whether it's table linens or wall hangings, each piece reflects both her formal training in fiber arts and her immersion in global textile traditions. The collection manages to honor ancestral techniques while pushing design boundaries in unexpected directions.

Why we like Dana Haim

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    Cultural preservation

    Actively works to document and preserve traditional textile techniques

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    Artisan partnerships

    Direct collaboration with craftspeople across multiple countries

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    Design fusion

    Seamlessly blends traditional methods with contemporary aesthetics

: Where Your Coolest Friend Shops for Their Apartment

The Shrimp Cocktail Coupe at Coming Soon perfectly captures the store's irreverent spirit. It's the kind of piece that makes us wonder why we ever settled for boring barware.
Helena Barquet and Fabiana Faria have created something that defies easy categorization. Their Lower East Side space feels more like a carefully curated art gallery than a traditional home goods store. With backgrounds in fine art and luxury design, they've developed an eye for pieces that surprise and delight - mixing established names with emerging talents and vintage finds in ways we wouldn't have thought possible.
Their collaborative approach with artists and designers yields pieces you simply won't encounter elsewhere. The store has become something of a creative hub, where design enthusiasts gather to discover what's next. While some pieces definitely qualify as serious investments, we're impressed by how they maintain an approachable vibe that never feels pretentious.

Why we like Coming Soon

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    Unique curation

    Expertly mixed selection of established and emerging designers

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    Creative community

    Functions as a hub for design discovery and inspiration

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    Approachable luxury

    Makes high-end design feel accessible and fun

: Where Minimalism Meets Militant Quality Standards

The Marble Candle Holders from Snowe exemplify everything we admire about thoughtful design: clean lines, premium materials, and an attention to detail that borders on obsessive.
By partnering directly with top European and American factories, Snowe maintains remarkable control over their production process. This isn't just about quality control - it's about pushing the boundaries of what's possible with materials, from their proprietary ceramic formulations to their meticulously sourced textiles.
Their aesthetic strikes a delicate balance between contemporary and enduring. We're particularly drawn to how their pieces reveal subtle details over time, rewarding closer inspection without relying on flashy design elements to make an impact.

Why we like Snowe

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    Quality control

    Direct partnerships with top-tier factories

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    Material innovation

    Development of proprietary materials and formulations

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    Timeless design

    Focus on subtle details and lasting appeal

: Where Global Craft Traditions Meet California Cool

The Uzumati Drifter Pitcher showcases Saffron + Poe's talent for discovering extraordinary craftspeople and helping them adapt their traditional techniques for contemporary spaces.
Founded by two interior designers with serious wanderlust, this brand has developed deep relationships with artisan communities worldwide. Their approach goes beyond simple sourcing - they're actively involved in preserving craft traditions while ensuring makers receive fair compensation for their work.
Their Mill Valley showroom serves as a laboratory for mixing global influences. We're fascinated by how they manage to combine pieces from disparate traditions into spaces that feel cohesive rather than chaotic.

Why we like Saffron + Poe

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    Artisan support

    Fair compensation and long-term relationships with craftspeople

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    Global perspective

    Thoughtful fusion of international design traditions

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    Cohesive curation

    Expert mixing of diverse styles and influences

: Where Ethics and Aesthetics Share Equal Billing

The Alabaster Round Tray from M+A NYC demonstrates how thoughtful material selection and ethical production can result in objects of quiet beauty.
Their collection spans everything from textiles to tableware, with each piece reflecting careful consideration of both visual appeal and production methods. Their partnerships with artisan collectives in Kerala, India, show a genuine commitment to preserving traditional crafts while ensuring fair labor practices.
We're drawn to how M+A NYC bridges the gap between artisanal and refined design. Their signature colorblock aesthetic and focus on natural materials creates pieces that feel both sophisticated and approachable without trying too hard.

Why we like M+A NYC

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    Ethical production

    Strong commitment to fair labor practices

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    Material integrity

    Careful selection of sustainable and natural materials

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    Refined simplicity

    Sophisticated design that remains approachable

Shelby

Shelby

05/09/24

A tray like this one can tie a room together or give a focal point to a coffee table!

: Where Mid-Century Gets a Modern Remix

The Lucca End Table demonstrates Cura Home's knack for updating classical design elements - like reeded detailing and geometric hardware - for contemporary spaces.
This female-founded brand brings a fresh perspective to furniture design, creating pieces that can adapt to various settings without losing their distinctive character. Their direct-to-consumer model allows for sophisticated design at more reasonable price points, though we're most impressed by how their pieces feel individually considered rather than mass-produced.
Each design shows careful attention to both form and function, suggesting these pieces are meant to be lived with and enjoyed rather than just admired from a distance. The small team's personal involvement in the design process shows through in thoughtful details that larger manufacturers might overlook.

Why we like Cura Home

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    Fresh perspective

    Modern interpretation of classic design elements

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    Accessibility

    Direct-to-consumer model for better value

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    Attention to detail

    Thoughtful design features for everyday living

The Evolution of Home Design

The emergence of these design-forward brands signals an exciting shift in home decor. Each brings something unique to the table, whether it's Dana Haim's artistic textiles or Coming Soon's boundary-pushing curation. These alternatives to mainstream retailers remind us that great design isn't just about aesthetics - it's about the stories our spaces tell and the values they reflect. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, we're excited to see how these innovative brands will shape the future of home design.