ADELSOMA is a Korean furniture and object design brand based in Seoul, approaching living spaces as a stage for fashion.
Rather than creating furniture as purely functional products, ADELSOMA focuses on sculptural forms, material contrast, and atmosphere — designing objects that shape the emotional silhouette of a space.
The brand explores contrasts between black and white, leather and metal, sharp structure and soft drapery, creating pieces that feel both architectural and editorial.
Founded by designer Jiho Shin, ADELSOMA continues to expand through seasonal collections inspired by fashion, art, and contemporary spatial culture.
ADELSOMA describes space as a stage — when did you begin seeing furniture as something performative rather than purely functional?
I’ve never seen furniture as just an object for use.
To me, furniture changes the atmosphere of a space the same way clothing changes the mood of a person. Over time, I became more interested in how a piece could create emotion, tension, and presence within a room rather than simply serving a function.
That’s when furniture began feeling performative to me — almost like a silent character within a scene.
You often reference silhouettes in your furniture — do you approach form the way a fashion designer approaches the body?
Very much so.
I think about furniture the way fashion designers think about garments and silhouettes. The curves, proportions, and tension of a piece should interact naturally with the body and the surrounding atmosphere.
I’m less interested in creating static objects and more interested in creating forms that feel alive within space.
How do you know when a piece has the right emotional balance?
Usually it happens when a piece feels calm but still creates tension.
I’m drawn to contrasts — softness and sharpness, structure and drape, black and white, metal and fabric. When those opposing elements coexist naturally, the piece begins to feel emotionally complete.
“I don’t think about following a traditional furniture language. I’m more interested in creating a distinct emotional identity through space and objects.”
When selecting materials, are you thinking more about visual impact or emotional response?
Emotional response comes first.
Materials are important visually, but I care more about what they make people feel instinctively. A soft bouclé texture, cold stainless steel, natural stone — each material carries a different emotional temperature.
I try to combine them in a way that creates quiet contrast and depth.
When does furniture stop becoming product and start becoming art?
I think furniture becomes art when it creates emotion beyond function.
If a piece changes the atmosphere of a room, creates memory, or makes someone stop and feel something before even using it, then it already goes beyond being a product.
Do you feel part of a new generation of Korean designers redefining contemporary furniture?
Korean design is evolving very quickly right now, and I think there’s a growing generation that approaches furniture more freely — crossing boundaries between fashion, art, architecture, and object design.
I don’t think about following a traditional furniture language. I’m more interested in creating a distinct emotional identity through space and objects.
If someone encountered an ADELSOMA piece without context, what would you want them to feel first?
Presence.
Before understanding the design, materials, or concept, I want them to feel an atmosphere first — something calm, unfamiliar, emotional, and slightly cinematic.
Almost like encountering a scene rather than simply looking at furniture.
