Take a look inside the world of De La Espada—a modern furniture maker where precision meets poetry. Rooted in Portuguese craft and powered by global design voices, each piece is made to last and age beautifully.

A sense of origin

De La Espada was founded in 1993 by Luis De Oliveira and Fatima De La Espada, both drawn to the idea of blending modern design with time-honoured craft. While the company began life in London, its heart now lies in northern Portugal—where the rolling terrain and slower pace lend themselves to hands-on making.

From the beginning, the goal was simple but ambitious: to produce furniture with substance. The kind you don’t rush into a room, but build a room around.

It’s why they partner with a small group of independent studios—like Studioilse, Matthew Hilton and Neri&Hu—whose design language is as thoughtful and timeless as their own.

Craft, without compromise

In a small factory in Portugal’s Serra da Estrela region, each piece is made start to finish under one roof. Wood is hand-joined, shaped, assembled and finished by a team of craftspeople who work with the kind of attention that’s hard to automate.

This isn’t just manufacturing—it’s a studio practice scaled up. Every curve, joint and surface is intentional.

Design, as collaboration

Rather than a house style, De La Espada operates more like an atelier for a select group of international designers, each bringing their own language and logic to the brand’s shared values. Matthew Hilton’s work is grounded in British restraint; Ilse Crawford and Studioilse approach furniture as emotional infrastructure; Shanghai-based Neri&Hu blend architecture and storytelling; while Jason Miller infuses American design with crisp structuralism.

Materials that matter

Everything De La Espada makes starts with solid hardwood—sustainably sourced walnut, ash or oak, depending on the piece. There’s no veneer, no cover-up, no shortcuts. The wood is the material, not just a finish.

They treat it with the respect it deserves—showcasing the grain, embracing its natural character, and allowing it to age gracefully.

You’ll also find stone, leather and brass in subtle touches—chosen not to impress, but to last. The end result is tactile, grounded and human. Furniture that feels good to be around.

A quieter kind of sustainability

De La Espada doesn’t talk about sustainability as a trend—it’s just built into the process. Slow production. Local materials. Minimal transport. No excess.

But more than that, sustainability here means designing for the long term. Furniture that’s strong, repairable, adaptable. Furniture that stays in your life.

In a culture of throwaway everything, it’s a powerful stance: fewer pieces, better made.

By manufacturing in-house in Portugal, they maintain full oversight—reducing transport emissions, safeguarding craft standards, and ensuring ethical labour practices. But the most powerful expression of sustainability here is conceptual: the belief that longevity is the most radical form of environmentalism.

There’s something architectural about De La Espada’s furniture—each piece considered not just in isolation, but in terms of space, light, and atmosphere. It’s why the brand is favoured by designers and architects looking to specify furniture that doesn’t compete with its environment but enhances it.

Orson desk

Designed by Matthew Hilton the Orson Desk is a beautiful and robust desk comprising the elegance of a solid wood top and the industrial style cast-iron legs. Perfect for an elegant work and storage space for the office or home office.

Capo bed

The Capo Bed is an extension of the Capo series designed by Neri & Hu for De La Espada. It has a simple and modern form enriched with tailoring details that evoke old-world traditions and craftmanship.

Shop the De La Espada collection

If the De La Espada item you want isn’t on our website, please get in touch with us as we do have access to the whole collection.