When Stephanie Betesh, an interior and furniture designer, and Nicholas Steigmann, a designer and researcher, moved into a small Brooklyn apartment together, they brought with them a wealth of design knowledge and a strong aesthetic viewpoint. Outfitting their new home and blending contemporary furniture with antiques, the couple realized that what they needed most—and, paradoxically, what was hardest to find—wasn’t statement pieces but, rather, hardworking daily essentials.
Another challenge? Living in a small space, as they did, everything is on display, not just the good-looking. Often, the couple notes, “there’s nowhere to hide your workday, your clutter, your cables. Our apartment was full of open shelving, so the computer monitor lived in the middle of the living room. Pots and pans that didn’t fit in the kitchen were always out. Our bedroom held electronics and other objects that disrupted the sense of calm we wanted in that space.”
Being builders themselves, Betesh and Steigmann went to work designing their own dream pieces, and Riffmade was born. Based in Brooklyn, the brand offers a capsule collection of home necessities made of sturdy materials and thoughtfully crafted by artisans in North Carolina. For the couple, considered and intentional building is essential, and their collection is built in batches, not to scale, so each small detail is hand-finished. Featuring the recurring motif of a signature curtain, Riffmade furniture introduces warmth and whimsy to a space while cleverly hiding any unsightly mess and transitioning through the rhythms of the day.
Keep reading for a glimpse of the collection:
Intrigued? Shop all pieces from Riffmade here.
N.B.: This story originally appeared on July 21, 2025 and has been updated.
