Designing Women

4 Fabulous Trailblazers Who Inspire Us Every Day

Novelist Robert Heinlein once said, “Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation,” and we tend to agree. Indeed, however singular and special our “real” maternal relationships might be, our lives are also undoubtedly enriched by other kinds of mothers—mentors and muses whose guidance shapes our lives in countless subtle and meaningful ways.

This month, BOXHILL Design would like to honor some of the “designing women” whose accomplishments and artistic vision move us—with four curated outdoor mini-collections inspired by their work. We hope they inspire you to create your own.

The Artisan

When Lucienne Day graduated from the Printed Textiles program within the Royal College of Art in 1940, the world was ready for a change. Britain was still bouncing back from a seemingly unshakeable postwar bleakness, with national creativity necessarily playing second fiddle to restoration efforts.

For a decade, Day steadily produced beautiful (if not groundbreaking) florals for houses like Cavendish and Heals. But it was the striking, abstract organics of her Calyx print that set the 1951 Festival of Britain alight—and ultimately lit the way for a new generation of designers.

NEPTUNE CHAIR + OTTOMAN | $1,071
Responsibly sourced acacia with soft-yet-durable regatta rope, in a muted palette that’s the perfect supporting cast.

MOSAIC STAR TABLE | $395

A global interpretation of traditional floral motifs bring instant visual interest to your favorite exterior spaces.

DUKE RUG | $169+

Equal parts indestructible and affordable, this colorful woven rug is made from UV-stabilized recycled plastic fibers.

The Modernist

Though she began her career as a fine-art painter, it was the decidedly lowbrow material of plywood that eventually secured Ray Eames—along with husband Charles—a spot in the pantheon of mid-century modern design. After moving to from Chicago to Los Angeles in the early 1940s, the couple started experimenting with the ubiquitous building material.

After selling a molded plywood leg splint to the U.S. Navy and fulfilling more than 150,000 orders, the Eameses began to experiment with furniture in a variety of unconventional materials, including fiberglass and aluminium. But it was ultimately plywood that would form the the foundation of their famous Lounge Chair—still one of the most iconic designs today.

BRANDON CONCRETE LOUNGE CHAIR | $2,475

Sleek lines and a stark aesthetic make this chair a must for your modern space—who knew concrete could be so comfy?

KAAT SIDE TABLE | $907

Timeless functionality with subtle atomic-age vibes, crafted from aluminum and teak in a variety of neutral colorways.

COURTYARD BURNT ORANGE RUG | $63+

Hand-hooked from durable polypropylene, this standout rug brings chic indoor comfort to your outdoor living areas.

The Iconoclast

Zaha Hadid didn’t do anything quietly. A celebrated architect famously unconstrained by linear geometry, she’s known for fluid shapes and soaring, organic spaces. With nearly 1,000 projects spanning her career, she’s best known for large-scale, high-profile structures like the London Aquatics Centre (2012 Olympiad) and the Guangzhou Opera House in China.

But throughout her life, Hadid strove to make everything she touched strike a perfect balance between form and function. Her work with celebrated design brands such as Alessi, Vitra and B&B Italia resulted a seemingly bottomless portfolio of beautiful pieces—furniture, footwear, prototype cars and yachts…and hands-down the sexiest cheese grater in the world.

CAST STONE PEBBLE SEAT | $1,200+

To bring Hadid’s curvy-cool aesthetic into your space, we recommend starting with these literal rock stars.

FIBERGLASS PEBBLE TABLE | $640+

Of course there’s a matching table! Of course they both match the rug! And obviously they all match your plants.

COURTYARD PALM LEAF RUG | $63+

A pretty palm pattern secures this trio’s completely pulled-together look. The Big Lebowski would be proud.

The Trailblazer

As the first woman admitted to MIT’s architecture program, Sophia Hayden graduated in 1890 with honors. Unable to find a suitable architecture position in this male-dominated field, Hayden took a job teaching mechanical drawing; within a year, she had entered and won a design competition for the Women’s Building of the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

More typical patriarchy nonsense followed. Hayden’s payment for the project was up to 10x less than her male counterparts; the same counterparts criticized the so-called “feminine” attributes of her Italianate design. The Women’s Building went on to win a gold medal before being demolished after the Exposition closed in 1893. No structural record of her career is left.