ASHLEY YEATES INTERIOR

ON HER TRANSFORMATIVE LUXURY FURNITURE LINE SUPPORTING HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY

 

Ashley Yeates is a proud mother, designer, and founder of Ashley Yeates Interior (AYI) & Associates, a design brand inspired by her lifelong passion for sustainability and design.

Growing up on a Texas ranch, she developed a strong connection to nature and animals, alongside a sensitivity to chemical toxins, incentivizing her to avoid fast food and furniture containing toxins. She knew she wanted to pursue a career that could allow her to make a tangible and positive impact, so after earning a degree in psychology, she went on to law school. But during this period, she also re-designed a house in Dallas. This experience made her fully realize her love for interior design, a passion that had been present throughout her life.

Shortly after completing her design project in Dallas, Ashley dropped her profession and moved to Carmel, California, in 2001. Today, in addition to providing interior design services, her high-end, customizable, and environmentally friendly furniture collection is made to endure beyond today’s mass- produced items. Her furniture and interior designs can be found in restaurants, office spaces, and schools throughout the U.S. HAVEN spoke with Ashley to learn more about the impact she’s making in the design industry.

 

HAVEN: Why isn’t sustainable design more common?

Ashley: Why don’t more people do this? They’re not aware. In America, we have been able to mass-produce, which encourages people to prioritize volume and quick access. I mean, if you click a button, you can have a piece of furniture delivered in two days, if not a day—I like to call that “fast furniture.” Many people overlook the fact that this fast furniture off- gasses; its fibers and materials can leach into the house, much like the scent of a new car, which is toxic. So, for my son, who had asthma when he was young and was sensitive to this furniture, as well as my other clients, I create furniture pieces without chemical- based foam. My sofas are made from tree latex—basically tree sap that’s repeatedly heated and cooled until it forms a product as dense as foam. I then wrap it in wool, which is naturally mold- resistant, and surround it with organic cotton. All of this not only protects the fibers inside this latex but also adds comfort. My son’s asthma and my own sensitivities to toxins remind me that many people could benefit from toxin- free homes.

HAVEN: In addition to being made with non-toxic materials, how do your furniture pieces distinguish themselves from pieces made by other top luxury brands?

Ashley: When it comes to my line, handmade in America with the finest products, like solid hardwood and pure leather, that is a whole different caliber of furniture. It’s not mass-produced with plywood construction and a higher price tag slapped on as a brand. Bespoke, handmade, and non-toxic furniture represents couture in the marketplace. High-end clients can invest in it to make their entire home healthier. While other clients might only purchase a couple of pieces, but if anybody’s doing it, we’re making that shift toward prioritizing supporting our country and labor force. If a buyer wants to refresh their interiors, they can confidently pass down my furniture for generations to come—that’s my goal: to build something that’s still amazing in 100 years. There’s an inherent uniqueness to something crafted as a one-of-a-kind piece rather than mass-produced.

My line is also highly customizable, so the answer is “Yes, yes, and yes.” It can be larger, a different color, or altered altogether. I despise “No,” and I know most of my high-end clients do as well. So my answer is “Yes, let’s create what you want, but let’s make it sustainable.” Many people, including the environment, will benefit from the efforts of a handmade American- made piece.

HAVEN: What impact do you hope to make through your business?

Ashley: I believe my mission for others is to encourage a moment of reflection: “Why don’t we slow down and truly consider what we own? Why do we feel the need to accumulate so much?” We should reach a point where we appreciate what we have rather than continuously overconsume. My favorite question to pose is, “If you never had a trash truck come to your house again, how differently would you consume?” And this material isn’t disappearing. It’s time to stop being complacent; don’t do things because they’re easy, do them because they’re right.

I don’t just make furniture— making it isn’t easy for me; it’s incredibly challenging. I actually had to sell my house to afford to continue doing it. But ten years later, it’s working because I haven’t given up. I know it’s the right thing to do for the industry. Ultimately, my endgame is to shift the industry so that sustainable practices become the norm rather than the exception, and to inspire people to care, listen, and change their habits.