Faina Design’s latest collection channels a legendary forest dweller from Ukraine’s Polesia into a striking line of furniture that feels both ancient and now. Victoria Yakusha, the creative force behind the label, introduced the Grun’ series at Design Miami 2024, unveiling a fresh chapter in her mission to connect Ukrainian heritage with modern living.
The collection—two carved tables, two sculptural lamps, a bench, an upholstered bed, a chair, and an armchair—nods to nature and folklore without losing its contemporary edge. Yakusha calls her aesthetic “live minimalism,” a reflection of her country’s traditions and a belief that each piece carries its own spirit. The silhouettes have a grounded look, evoking hidden landscapes where tall trees and soft moss set the mood. Wide legs on the bed and bench seem to channel the earth’s strength upward, and the deep green upholstery on the seating plays on the idea of a forest floor underfoot.
Faina Design, launched by Yakusha in 2014, has built its reputation on reviving Ukrainian craft techniques. That ethos runs through the new Grun’ tables, released in a limited batch of 12. Their wooden tops recall light filtering through dense foliage, while the textured bases have a raw feel that underscores the natural theme. The floor lamps push this organic approach further. Made with Ztista—a blend of clay, plant fibers, and bio-based binders—they feature conical bodies crowned by hand-blown glass orbs, shaped through gutnitstvo, a time-honored process in the region.
The Grun’ line is more than a design statement—it’s an invitation to reconnect with what lies beneath our digital-heavy reality. By summoning a mythical figure from misty woodlands, Yakusha taps into the enduring link between craft, community, and the wild places we too often overlook.
