Debra Folz

Debra Folz Design is a Providence, Rhode Island based studio, which realizes furniture, tabletop and home accessory objects for exhibition and production through material exploration & conceptual curiosity. With an undergraduate degree in Interior Design from Suffolk University and a Masters degree in Furniture Design from the Rhode Island School of Design, Debra blurs the boundaries between disciplines and their assigned material identities, lending consistent focus to the incorporation of textiles and embroidery techniques with furniture forms. Motivated by the translation of traditional craft and manufacturing methods into contemporary visual languages and objects, collaboration & the ambition to learn new techniques is key to her process. This studio’s work prioritizes and supports American manufacturing by building trusted and rewarding relationships with highly skilled craftspeople throughout the New England region. Some design inquiries produce limited edition or one-of-a-kind pieces, while others are applicable to larger production methods and distribution. We hold our work to the highest standard of quality and enjoy opportunities to engage new partners for production as well as fellow designers/ businesses in collaborations. Debra’s work had been featured in both national and international publications to include The New York Times, Fast Company, Dwell magazine, InStyle Magazine, New York Magazine, and more. Recent awards and recognition include New England Home magazine’s 5 under 40 award, nominated representative for Massachusetts: Women to Watch exhibition, and inclusion by Boston Globe Top 25 Most Stylish Bostonians. In addition to a studio practice, Debra maintains a strong commitment to collegiate art & design education initiated through pursuing the Sheridan Collegiate Teaching Certificate from Brown University concurrent with her studies at RISD. Over the past four years Debra has led creative coursework at The Rhode Island School of Design and The New England School of Art & Design at Suffolk University where she received the Award For Recognition of Teaching Excellence.