Nature inspired wood & brass, handmade The Special Tree cabinet by InsidherLand

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 luxury furniture brand InsidherLand is guided by founder Joana Santos Barbosa. The Portuguese architect’s designs are inspired by nature and her extensive travels — living in one of the top European travel destinations, Santos Barbosa is surrounded by historic architecture as well as mountain ranges and national parks. She draws on all aspects of herself and the land around her and pours these experiences into each of her firm’s handmade objects and furnishings.

Santos Barbosa completed her studies in architecture at the University of Porto in 2006 and moved on to interior design at Central Saint Martins in London. She found early success and was heralded as a top contemporary designer in her native country and earned a spot at the 20th Triennale International Exhibition in Milan. 

Santos Barbosa is especially known for InsidherLand’s dining chairs and other seating, which are handmade by the firm’s Portuguese master craftsmen. The brand’s Niemeyer sofas and armchairs boast amply rounded forms and are named for internationally renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, an icon of Brazilian modernism whose own love of curvature was demonstrated in his designs for the principal buildings for Brasília, a project begun in 1956. Framed in luxurious dark woods and featuring brass accents, InsidherLand’s sculptural Arches dining chair won the International Best Chair Design at the International Design and Architecture Awards by Design in 2021. The chair also won an Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards.

On 1stDibs, find a collection of InsidherLand seating, tables and lighting.