In the world of furniture and interior innovation, Sergio Prieto emerges as a visionary force blending artistry, craftsmanship, and emotion. As Creative Director of Dovain Studio since 2020, Prieto’s journey, from painting as a child to leading luxury furniture and design projects, embodies a fearless, expressive design philosophy that resonates deeply in every piece he creates. His works are not merely functional objects but emotional experiences that challenge and delight the senses.
Origins and Early Influences
Born in Talavera de la Reina, Spain, in 1994, Prieto's early immersion in painting shaped his intuitive understanding of color, form, and emotion. At 10, he began painting professionally, and by 18, studied product design at EA Antonio López in Tomelloso, Spain.
Travel across China, India, France, Italy, and Spain further refined his aesthetic, instilling an organic blend of cultural influences that fuel his imaginative creations.
The Expressive Design Style: Emotion Meets Geometry
Bold & Emotional Expression
Prieto describes his pieces as the playful heart within the furniture world “the rebellious child who breaks rules and defines his own game.” His work embodies elegance paired with mischievous spirit, drawing from nature, classical forms, and modern sensibilities, resulting in pieces that engage and provoke.
Geometry, Color & Emotion
Prieto's design style relies on geometric shapes, striking colors, and emotional resonance. His intuitive drawing-led process where forms “appear” in the mind before materializing. Highlights the intuitive blend of form and feeling characteristic of his pieces.
Masterful Materiality & Craftsmanship
Premium Materials, Local Roots
Prieto’s creations stand out for their use of exceptional materials: Estremoz marble, polished brass, dark walnut, eco-leather, and haute-couture–grade fabrics. His direction emphasizes both luxury and sustainability, sourcing materials locally and ensuring each piece is crafted on demand in Lisbon.
Customization & Personal Touch
Every Dovain Studio creation is the result of close consultations where Prieto and his team tailor each piece to clients’ preferences, ensuring color, finish, and emotion align precisely. This bespoke strategy helped secure a coveted cover in Architectural Digest España’s.
Iconic Furniture & Lighting Pieces
Prieto’s furniture designs stand as sculptural art:
Mimo Sofa
A graceful, organic masterpiece inspired by 1970s design, balancing retro flair with contemporary comfort, handcrafted in Portugal.
Cloud Mirror
A poetic merge of geometry and softness—mirrors framed by pastel upholstered forms that float like dream fragments.
Tecla Sideboard
A nod to Memphis Group aesthetics, this luxurious sideboard features bold geometry and piano key motifs.
Other notable designs include the Axis Console II (marble + eco‑leather), Arco Chair (velvet, brass, walnut), Elefante and Meco chairs (with haute couture fabrics).
Prieto treats lighting as wearable art. The Space collection, ceiling fixtures and table lamps made of lacquered metals, and the Lola floor lamp in rich crimson and sky blue highlight his philosophy: design lighting as if it were jewelry.
Interiors & Projects: A Holistic Design Philosophy
Beyond standalone pieces, Sergio Prieto Studio offers full-service interior design, including architecture, art direction, and strategy consulting. Whether working in historic or futuristic environments, the studio builds furniture and installations made from stone, wood, metal, glass, and custom finishes, all crafted to fulfill a client's vision.
Recent notable projects include the Lisbon Castle Apartment (2023), Kimpton Las Mercedes Hotel in the Dominican Republic (2024), and exhibitions like Maison & Objet Paris (2025).
Why Sergio Prieto’s Furniture Design Style Resonates
Emotional Engagement
Prieto aims to create emotional connections, his pieces are not merely objects, but experiences that invite conversation and feeling. As one commentator at Maison & Objet 2025 put it: “The pieces from DOVAIN Studio are not only functional but also serve as conversation starters.”
Fusion of Art, Decoration & Design
Every creation balances artistry, decorative luxury, and design disciplines, blurring boundaries to create functional pieces that double as visual poetry.
Integrity of Craft & Identity
Made-to-order production in Lisbon using local materials ensures each piece reflects both intent and heritage. Prieto himself says “I use materials that we have here in Portugal... our metals... for their luster, color, versatility.”
Conclusion: Celebrating the Sergio Prieto Furniture Design Style
In a design landscape saturated with the predictable and mass-produced, Sergio Prieto stands out as a furniture and design visionary who breathes life, emotion, and artistry into every piece. His design style, rooted in vibrant geometry, raw emotion, premium craftsmanship, and cultural memory, produces works that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually striking.
From sculptural sofas and poetic mirrors to lamps that glow like jewels, Prieto's creations are narratives in form. Stories rendered in marble, metal, textiles, and light. They invite connection, spark conversation, and transform space into living art.
For design lovers searching for furniture that resonates on a deeper level, Sergio Prieto’s work offers more than function, it offers a journey into elegance, mischief, color, and heartfelt expression.
Sources
Photography
Daniel Schalfer
