Anke van Goor

JONATHAN’S MISSION: to bring Modern American Glamour to your life. How? By creating a foundation of timelessly chic furniture and accessorizing with abandon.

It all started with pottery. Jonathan first gave the wheel a spin at summer camp when he was 12 years old. He was obsessed with clay the moment he touched it, and spent the rest of his summer behind the wheel.

Ostensibly in college at Brown University, he spent most of his time at nearby Rhode Island School of Design making pots. His RISD pottery—Chanel inspired teapots and updated takes on Sevres urns—reflected his interests in pop culture, bling, contemporary art, and fashion. His professor encouraged him thusly: “You have no talent. Move to New York and become a lawyer.”

He followed through on the first part for three years, assisting tyrants in the entertainment industry before realizing his pottery teacher’s approval meant nothing.

Jonathan started teaching classes at Mud, Sweat ‘n’ Tears in New York City in exchange for free studio space. After successfully cold-calling the buyers from Barneys New York he dove into production—rollerblading to the studio at 6 a.m., making a hundred mugs, and coming home to fall asleep.

Eventually he partnered with Aid to Artisans, a non-profit organization devoted to helping crafstpeople in developing countries by connecting them with designers in America. While in Peru, he fell in love with South American textiles and started designing pillows, throws, and rugs. He fused his modern sensibility with the soulful work of the people of Peru.

Jonathan opened his first store in Soho in 1998. Figuring “why stop at pots,” he partnered with his Peruvian pals on throw pillows, and then started imagining the sofas those pillows could sit on. Soon enough he was in the home décor biz—working with artisans of all kinds to craft everything from swanky side tables to divine dinnerware to custom upholstery.

He took his signature style out of the store too, tackling interior design projects for private residences, restaurants, and hotels, including the beloved desert destination, The Parker Palm Springs Hotel, and the Eau Palm Beach Resort and Spa.

In less than 20 years he’s opened nearly 30 stores. His favorite motto, “If your heirs won’t fight over it, we won’t make it,” reflects his continued commitment to impeccable craftsmanship and irreverent luxury. But his love of pottery remains at his core: his office sits between a giant kiln and a working pottery studio.

Manifasto

WE BELIEVE that your home should make you happy.

WE BELIEVE that when it comes to decorating, the wife is always right.
Unless the husband is gay.

WE BELIEVE in carbohydrates and to hell with the puffy consequences.

WE BELIEVE minimalism is a bummer.

WE BELIEVE in our muses: David Hicks, Alexander Girard, Bonnie Cashin, Hans Coper, Gio Ponti, Andy Warhol, Leroy Neiman, Yves Saint Laurent, and Madonna.

WE BELIEVE in being underdressed or overdressed always.

WE BELIEVE colors can’t clash.

WE BELIEVE dogs should be allowed in stores and restaurants.

WE BELIEVE celebrities should pay full price.

WE BELIEVE our lighting will make you look younger and thinner.

WE BELIEVE in highbrow books and lowbrow music.

WE BELIEVE in the three Ls: layer, layer, layer.

WE BELIEVE subversive is superior.

WE BELIEVE in irreverent luxury.

Brand vocabulary

Little known fact, Jonathan studied semiotics in college. So it’s no surprise that we take words pretty seriously. We are a design company committed to incredible craftsmanship and luxe materials. We always want our designs (and the way we describe them) to feel smart, so we have developed a bible of adjectives and informative phrases that we use to describe our work and those we avoid.