Inspired by the natural world and the rich architecture of her native country, Joana Santos Barbosa’s modern furniture comprises a harmonious blend of organic forms and geometric accuracy. The award-winning architect and furniture designer is considered one of the top 10 contemporary designers from Portugal, with pieces created by her firm InsidherLand sought by interior designers, architects, hotel brands and modern furniture collectors worldwide.
Born in 1981 in Porto, Santos Barbosa studied architecture at the University of Porto. After graduating in 2006, she studied interior design at Central Saint Martins School of Arts and Design in London.
In 2012, Santos Barbosa formed the furniture design company InsidherLand which uses traditional Portuguese handcrafting techniques to create high-quality furniture, lighting, upholstery and home decor.
Elements of nature feature predominantly in many of Santos Barbosa’s designs, such as the Three Rocks side table, Tree Branches wall lamp, Na Pali coffee table and the Arizona mirror, which was named Best Furniture Design at the iLuxury Awards in 2021.
In contrast, several of Santos Barbosa’s pieces are influenced by architecture and symmetry. The Arches dining room chair (winner of Best Chair Design at the 2011 International Design and Architecture Awards), Looshaus table lamp and rounded Niemeyer armchair and sofa (named for legendary Brazilian modernist designer and architect Oscar Niemeyer) are some examples.
Barbosa’s designs, which she describes as “falling between sinuous elegance and harsh aggressiveness,” have gained worldwide attention among critics and industry experts. She was invited to exhibit at the XX Triennale International Exhibition, and her works have been shown regularly in exhibitions throughout London, Paris and Milan. Several international publications have also featured her designs, including Harper’s Bazaar (Vietnam), Architectural Digest (Spain) and Interior Designer (UK).
On 1stDibs, find a collection of Joana Santos Barbosa seating, tables and lighting.
Contemporary white lamb fur round brass Symphony ottoman by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Ludwig Van Beethoven is recognized as one of the most exceptional composers of all time. As an ode to the genius behind the music, the symphony stool ca...
Brass
Contemporary geometric velvet & chenille Not a Cube ottoman by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Not a Cube is a geometric composition that follows the reductionist tendencies of Minimal Art, emerged in the United States in the mid-1960s. Particularly i...
Fabric, Chenille, Velvet
Set of Mid-Century bouclé Niemeyer II lounge chair & ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Gold Design Award Winner for Furniture Design Category at the A’Design Award Competition 2021-2022 Both the Niemeyer II armchair and stool...
Bouclé, Oak, Fabric, Wood
Contemporary geometric upholstered mustard velvet Rock ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Rock is a stool with the same form of the smaller table of the Three Rocks set. The handcrafted upholstery work in velvet involves this unique creation with irregular shapes, turning...
Velvet, Fabric, Wood
Set of Mid-Century faux fur Niemeyer II lounge chair & ottoman by InsidherLand
By InsidherLand, Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Gold Design Award Winner for Furniture Design Category at the A’Design Award Competition 2021-2022 Both the Niemeyer II fur armchair and stool are named after the Brazilian Architect Oscar Niemeyer whose Architecture was spread like sculptural poetry in the History of humankind. The rounded lines are influenced by the remarkable ‘Casa das Canoas’ designed by Niemeyer in 1951. The flat roof offers its flowing forms to the round seat. The backward movement of the curve that frames a large granite boulder is recreated by the location of the seams in a meticulous upholstered work that flows all around the arms of the armchair. The Niemeyer II armchair and stool...
Fur, Oak, Fabric, Wood
Mid-Century Modern round faux fur oak Niemeyer II ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
The Niemeyer II stool is a curvy seating, designed to complement the rounded shapes of the Niemeyer II armchair. Named after the Brazilian Archit...
Fur, Oak, Fabric, Wood
Nature inspired Art Nouveau style velvet walnut Na Pali ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Na Pali means “the cliffs” and is a breathtaking landscape located on Kauai, a volcanic island resulting from the rain and the blasts of winter waves against t...
Velvet, Walnut, Fabric
Organic nature-inspired chenille brushed brass Figueroa ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Located in the sunny California, the charming Figueroa Mountain is a magical landscape that led to the creation of the Figueroa stool. The exquisite st...
Metal, Brass
Nature inspired Art Nouveau style chenille Na Pali ottoman by InsidherLand
By Joana Santos Barbosa, InsidherLand
Located in Maia, Porto
Na Pali means “the cliffs” and is a breathtaking landscape located on Kauai, a volcanic island resulting from the rain and the blasts of winter waves against t...
Fabric, Walnut, Chenille, Wood
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Ottoman by John Stuart
By John Stuart
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Elegant vintage modern foot stool features black lacquered legs. Unique walnut cross beams connect each leg adding sturdiness and style. The sleek black vinyl top is molded for comfo...
Faux Leather, Walnut, Lacquer, Upholstery, Wood, Hardwood
$1,144 / item
H 18.9 in Dm 18.9 in
Contemporary Toscana Pouf Ottoman, Dedar Beige Chenille, Handmade by Greenapple
By Greenapple, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Contemporary Toscana Pouf Ottoman, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Toscana pouf embodies the balance between timeless design and contemporary e...
Wood, Chenille, Cotton, Leather, Alpaca, Mohair, Bouclé, Linen, Velvet, ...
$10,500 / set
H 30 in W 28 in D 30 in
Gio Ponti Style Sculptural Pair of Mid Century Lounge Chairs and Ottoman
Located in Bernville, PA
Luxurious pair of midcentury lounge chairs and ottoman in the style of Selig Furniture Company. Professionally restored in a gloss finish and perfectly complimented with soft, cream ...
Leather, Walnut
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
By Jacques Charpentier
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
$2,510
H 16.15 in W 15.75 in D 16.74 in
Mid Century Modern Organic Rattan Black Metal Stool or Ottoman 1950s Austria
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Vienna, AT
Mid Century Modern vintage organic stool or ottoman or footstool from rattan and black lacquered metal frame 1950s Austria. While the slightly curved seat shows wonderful organic ra...
Metal
Mushroom Ottoman in Mustard Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in a mustard yellow colored curly boucle fabric. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating. A comfortable cushioned...
Fabric
$1,751 / item
H 16.54 in W 15.75 in D 15.75 in
Modern Kaizuka Pouf Ottoman Dedar Mint Green Velvet Handmade Portugal Greenapple
By Greenapple, Dedar
Located in Lisboa, PT
Kaizuka Pouf Ottoman, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. A comfy ottoman with a luxurious touch. Upholstered in a DEDAR mint green velvet. Destined to...
Gold Leaf
Custom Upholstered Pouf Ottomans in Gray or COM
Located in New York, NY
New production. Made to order. Designed and made in NYC, each ottoman is handcrafted with in NYC and has unique attributes. One day delivery available in NYC. 3 to 4 week lead tim...
Fabric
$1,027
H 15.36 in Dm 20.08 in
Mid-Century Italian Round Ottoman Pouf in Woven Rattan and Wood, Italy 1970s
Located in Roma, IT
Wonderful French Riviera style pouf stool completely made in hand-woven rattan with walnut wood feet. This delightful organic object can also be used as stylish side table, it was de...
Bamboo, Rattan, Wood, Wicker
Swedish Mid-Century Bentwood Swiveling Lounge Chair and Ottoman
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Swedish modern swiveling lounge chair and ottoman. Sleek design with leather upholstery and rosewood frames and bases. A quality piece that is sure to please in any modern in...
Leather, Wood
Round Rattan Ottoman, Boucle, Mid Century
By Franco Albini
Located in Miami, FL
Round Rattan Ottoman, white Kravet Ivory Nubby Boucle fabric seat. Ready for a new home.
Fabric, Rattan