Wood and exotic animal print leather bench with truck storage
The Fernanda by GS Furniture Company combines the warmth of English chestnut–stained pinewood with the bold sophistication of leopard-print cowhide. A handcrafted bench with discreet storage, it embodies the brand’s signature fusion of heritage craftsmanship and contemporary luxury.Photo: GS Furniture Company

Hidden Beauty, Hand Revealed: GS Furniture Company’s Artful Reimagination of Heirloom Elegance

Founded by lifelong friends Gabriela and Suzanne, GS Furniture Company is redefining heirloom luxury with handcrafted leather pieces that transform antique finds into timeless, personal treasures.
5 min read

When Friendship Becomes Legacy

Gabriela and Suzanne, Founders of GS Furniture Company
Artisans and co-founders Gabriela and Suzanne Lewis of GS Furniture Company bring legacy craftsmanship and modern artistry to each handcrafted piece designed in their Coronado studio.Photo Courtesy of GS Furniture Company

More than two decades ago, Gabriela and Suzanne first crossed paths as young mothers watching their daughters twirl through preschool ballet. What began as a gentle bond in those early days soon evolved into a friendship rooted in grace, grit, and shared creative vision.

Over the years, as they raised families and pursued individual careers, their connection deepened, fueled by a mutual appreciation for timeless design, heritage craftsmanship, and soulful storytelling. Eventually, the dream that had quietly taken shape between school drop-offs and late-night conversations found its form.

GS Furniture Company was born—a boutique atelier where craftsmanship meets character, and every piece is as personal as the friendship behind it. Like the heirloom vanities, tables and storied desks they lovingly restore, the beauty of their journey reveals itself with time, intention, and an enduring sense of purpose.

Wood and exotic animal print leather bench with truck storage
Inside the Craft of GS Furniture Company: A Conversation with Founders Gabriela and Suzanne

A Signature Style, One Tack at a Time

The Emilia custom wood and leather chest of drawers
The Emilia by GS Furniture Company redefines heirloom sophistication with its English chestnut–stained mahogany frame and five elegantly fitted drawers. Accented in burgundy crocodile-print cowhide, this handcrafted piece balances strength, artistry, and sensual texture.Photo: GS Furniture Company

"We only choose pieces we really love," Gabriela explains. "We preserve their soul and then add a touch of ourselves."

That blend of reverence and reinvention is what defines GS Furniture Company. Sourcing antique or vintage pieces with strong bones and timeless lines, Gabriela and Suzanne invest over countless hours per piece to restore, reimagine, and refinish with bold leathers, artisanal hardware, and finishes that feel soulful, not showy.

Suzanne says. "We’re creating furniture meant to last for generations."

Their materials are just as considered. Cowhide, lamb, and goat leathers from Mexico, Brazil, and Italy are chosen not for trends, but for texture, durability, and story. Every nail is hammered by hand. Every pattern is custom-cut. Every finish is tested, redone, and refined, to accentuate the soulful character that only handcrafted work can achieve.

The Art of Naming: Where Heritage Meets Heart

Stool | rich teak wood, finished in English chestnut,
The Paul footstool by GS Furniture Company pairs English-chestnut-stained teakwood with contrasting deer-print and dark-brown cowhide upholstery. Handcrafted with heirloom precision, this sculptural accent piece exemplifies the brand’s refined approach to texture and tone.GS Furniture Company

At GS Furniture Company, every piece tells a story—and every name carries meaning. These are not sterile SKUs or catalogue codes; they are personal tributes, etched in wood, leather, and legacy.

"We name our furniture the way you’d name a child," Suzanne explains. “It has to grow into itself first.” From children and lifelong friends to figures that inspire, the names behind each design reflect a deeper connection.

Take The Paul, for example, a striking piece crafted from rich teak wood, finished in English chestnut, and accented with dark brown leather and a bold deer-print cowhide. It embodies rugged charm and boundless energy, much like its namesake: a spirited soul with an adventurous edge and a wide circle of friends.

The Brandon trunk carved from teak stained warm chestnut, deep green
The Brandon by GS Furniture Company is a statement in texture and tone, handcrafted from teakwood and stained in a rich English chestnut with deep green accents. Upholstered in brown and green cowhide, this chest with storage showcases the brand’s signature blend of craftsmanship and color innovation.GS Furniture Company

In contrast, The Brandon trunk exudes creative introspection. Also carved from teak and stained in warm chestnut with deep green undertones, it’s trimmed in brown and green cowhide, an homage to a different temperament. Brandon is a thinker, a storyteller, someone drawn to history and the art of imagining what could be.

Each name is an invitation, not just to own a piece of furniture, but to connect with the character it was inspired by.

Transforming the Pieces that Matter Most

Beyond their curated collections, GS Furniture Company has become known for its custom restoration work—especially pieces that carry emotional weight.

"We love when someone brings us an heirloom and asks us to bring out its hidden beauty," Gabriela says. The process is thoughtful and collaborative: clients share photos, stories, and style direction. Gabriela and Suzanne then create a vision board with leathers, stains, and finish concepts. Swatches are sent for approval. Sketches may evolve. But one thing never changes: the commitment to honoring both history and home.

Seasonal Collections, Timed with Intention

The Isabela: Vanity Pine wood Stained in English chestnut and dark walnut
The Isabela by GS Furniture Company evokes vintage glamour through modern craftsmanship. Handcrafted from pinewood and stained in rich English chestnut and dark walnut, this vanity dresser features its original mirror and a tactile pairing of orange and brown cowhide—an heirloom piece reborn with contemporary allure.GS Furniture Company

With a devotion to artistry over volume, GS Furniture Company unveils just two curated collections each year—Fall and Spring—allowing each piece the time and attention it deserves.

“We never wanted to chase production schedules or dilute the integrity of our work,” says Suzanne. “Our seasonal releases give us space to create thoughtfully—and to offer something truly distinctive.”

Between these debut moments, a more discreet rhythm unfolds: private commissions, bespoke transformations, and quietly offered previews for discerning designers and collectors. It’s a cadence that feels more atelier than showroom—more couture than commercial.

What Luxury Really Means

For Gabriela and Suzanne, luxury isn’t about price tags or polish—it’s about intention.

"Luxury is a one-of-a-kind piece that carries memory, beauty, and soul," Gabriela says. "It’s not mass-produced. It’s made to last and made to be loved."

That, in essence, is the heart of GS Furniture Company: handcrafted legacy pieces that turn everyday interiors into personal sanctuaries.

The Maximilano Storage armoire, Oakwood Stained in English chestnut
The Maximiliano by GS Furniture Company evokes European artistry through its oakwood frame, English chestnut finish, and intricately upholstered panels in green crocodile-print and dark-brown cowhide. With upper storage and a single drawer, this handcrafted armoire marries heritage craftsmanship with bold, contemporary detailing.GS Furniture Company

About GS Furniture Company
Founded by artisans Gabriela and Suzanne in San Diego, California, GS Furniture Company creates bespoke, handcrafted furniture that reimagines heirloom design for modern living. Each piece is built with time-honored techniques, using premium wood and leather materials to preserve history through artistry. The brand releases two limited collections each year and collaborates with interior designers and homeowners across the U.S. Custom Commissions Available

Custom Heirloom Furniture Design Insights

Q

What Is Considered Heirloom Furniture?

A

Heirloom furniture goes beyond craftsmanship—it carries history, emotion, and endurance. True heirloom pieces are built to last generations, using time-honored techniques and premium materials. Each GS Furniture creation reflects this legacy, blending antique soul with modern artistry.

Q

What Is a Heirloom Design?

A

An heirloom design reimagines the past for the present. It preserves the integrity of classic craftsmanship while introducing contemporary finishes, textures, and function. At GS Furniture, this means breathing new life into vintage silhouettes with supple Italian leathers, rich stains, and hand-tacked details that feel both timeless and fresh.

Q

How Much Does It Cost to Have Custom Furniture Made?

A

Custom heirloom furniture is a bespoke investment—priced according to design complexity, materials, and hours of hand labor. Each GS Furniture piece requires countless hours of craftsmanship. While prices vary, clients value these pieces not for trend but for permanence: works of art meant to be lived with, loved, and passed down.

Q

Who Builds the Best Quality Furniture?

A

In today’s market, true quality comes from artisans who still create by hand. GS Furniture belongs to that rare class of makers who see furniture as art—each tack, grain, and stitch an expression of care. Rather than competing on scale, they compete on soul.

For more on handcrafted luxury and heirloom restoration, visit GS Furniture’s latest collection at gsfurniturestore.com or call +1 (619) 471-1881 for more information and custom projects

Connect with us and see the latest updates on Instagram and Facebook.

Instagram: @gsfurniturecompany

Facebook: GS Furniture Company 

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