Inside the Craft of GS Furniture Company: A Conversation with Founders Gabriela and Suzanne

Gabriela:

We’ve been close friends for more than 20 years—since our daughters were in ballet together in pre-school. Suzanne actually convinced me to come teach an art class at their school, and we had such a great time that I remember thinking, "One day, when we’re no longer full-time moms, we should do something creative together." That idea never left us. It stayed quietly in the background until the time was right.

Suzanne:

For me, I’d always worked, mostly in sales, but never really had the chance to fully explore my creative side. I actually studied fine arts and graphic design back in college in Chicago, but for nearly 20 years, I had to set that part of myself aside to focus on raising my family. When our kids graduated in 2021, we finally looked at each other and said, “Now’s the time.” It’s been about three years in the making, building inventory and refining our process so it didn’t look like a one-time project. And here we are.

Gabriela:

We choose each piece very carefully—only the ones we truly love and feel are workable for what we do. We preserve the soul of the original furniture while adding a touch of ourselves to every piece. For custom orders, we love incorporating a client’s personality into the design. That’s what makes it meaningful. The goal is to maintain quality, style, and elegance while making it even more beautiful.

Suzanne:

I grew up surrounded by antiques—my mom was an antique dealer for over 40 years. Our house was filled with mismatched, character-filled pieces that somehow made perfect sense together. That’s stayed with me. I gravitate toward older furniture built with traditional methods—dovetail joints, wooden nails, solid craftsmanship. We bring those timeless foundations into the 21st century with bold leather, unique textures, and fresh design touches. It’s not about perfection. It’s about originality, quality, and longevity. I always say—IKEA has its place, but we’re creating pieces that last for generations and tell a story.

Gabriela:

Most of the names come from people we love—our children, family, and friends. The Connor desk, for example, is named after Suzanne’s son. He’s incredibly smart and academic, so it made sense to name a writing desk after him. My son Paul loves the outdoors, so we gave his name to a more rugged piece that features animal print details. Some are inspired by historical characters or shared memories.

Suzanne:

It’s a bit like naming a child—you don’t decide on the name until you see their personality. As the piece comes to life, we start associating it with someone or something that fits. And they really do take on their own character. We always joke that a piece may start off looking like Shrek and end up as Fiona. That transformation—that hidden beauty—is part of what we love.

Gabriela:

It’s a long and detailed process. Every single pattern is hand-cut. Every nail is set by hand. We’ve spent years collecting leather—some from Mexico, some Italian, some Brazilian. We use cowhide, lamb, and goat, along with thoughtfully chosen stamped patterns that echo the look of more exotic skins—all responsibly sourced.

Once we have the furniture base, we spend a lot of time deciding which leather works best for that specific piece. Then we go back and forth on stains and finishes to ensure it enhances—not hides—the wood’s natural beauty. There’s a lot of trial and error.

Suzanne:

We’re obsessed with quality. We always look for details like dovetail joints or handmade wooden nails. That tells us the piece has good bones. We avoid anything that feels mass-produced or poorly constructed.

And honestly, each piece takes countless hours. We originally thought we could finish two pieces a week. That was laughably optimistic. We’ve redone some pieces four times just to get the look and feel exactly right. We don't cut corners. If we don’t love it, we start over.

Gabriela:

And in between those drops, we’ll still do special projects, custom pieces, refreshes, or private commissions. Think of it like the fashion world: the collections anchor the brand, but there’s always room for one-of-a-kind couture.

Suzanne:

Because it’s just the two of us and each piece takes so much time, we can't always have a full inventory ready year-round. So we decided to create two exclusive collections annually—one in the fall and one in the spring. That allows us time to craft with care and present a curated selection we’re truly proud of.

Gabriela:

We begin with a photo and a conversation. We want to understand the piece’s story, the client’s style, and their vision. We’ll create a vision board that includes leather samples, stain options, and other design elements. We’ll send samples so clients can feel confident in the choices.

Suzanne:

Those heirloom projects are incredibly special. They’re not just about aesthetics—they carry emotional weight. We’re honored to be trusted with something that represents a family legacy. Our goal is to bring out the hidden beauty in each piece and make it feel both fresh and deeply personal.

Gabriela:

The Connor, on the other hand, is sleek and strong. It’s a desk that feels intentional, tailored. It honors tradition, but with modern sophistication. It really embodies the thoughtfulness and legacy we want each piece to carry.

Suzanne:

We both love the Isabela. It started as a vintage vanity, and when we saw it, we immediately thought of all the stories it must hold—balls, dances, quiet moments of dreaming in front of the mirror. We wanted to preserve that romantic essence but update it with new elegance for today’s generation. It’s a piece that invites imagination.

Gabriela:

Luxury, to us, means one-of-a-kind. It’s not mass-produced. It’s knowing that each piece is handcrafted with care, made to last, and made to tell a story. That’s what turns furniture into art.

Suzanne:

Exactly. True luxury is something personal—something that sparks conversation, honors tradition, and brings beauty into a home for generations to come.