Modern Maia Leather Dining Chairs, Blue, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple

Rute Martins, Creative Director and co-founder of Greenapple, has been at the heart of the brand's designs since its establishment in 2005. As the creative force behind Greenapple, Rute designs every piece, from the core collection to bespoke creations that bring clients' concepts and desires to life.

Alongside iconic pieces like the Bordeira coffee table and Biloba sideboard, she has developed bespoke interior designs for clients around the world, including projects in New York, Miami, London, and Switzerland. Her work has been featured in 1stDibs Introspective magazine, Incollect magazine, and the Financial Times’ How to Spend It.

Born and raised in Portugal and mother of five, including two sets of twins, Rute holds a degree in economics. After founding Greenapple with her husband Sérgio, the company’s CEO, she shifted from her economics background to pursue her true passion for design, earning a design degree in Lisbon.

Drawing inspiration from Portugal’s natural beauty and rich cultural heritage, Rute’s designs embody meticulous precision, unique creativity and a personal touch, characterized by organic and contemporary elements. With an intuitive talent for design, Rute channels her creativity into each piece, much like a composer or writer expresses their inspiration through their art. Her deep understanding of client preferences and aspirations allows her to seamlessly balance her sensibilities with her clients’ dream designs. 

Find Rute's designs for Greenapple, including seating, tables, cabinets, lighting and more on 1stDibs.

(Biography provided by Greenapple)

The Greenapple furniture company creates captivating pieces using novel forms, colors and materials inspired by modern and Art Deco styles. Its unique 21st-century furniture combines luxury and an uncommon eye for design. Greenapple creates high-end furniture for homes, hotels and commercial spaces, with the tastes and needs of its clients considered in every step of the design process.

The furniture company was started in 2005, when Portuguese economists Rute Martins and Sérgio Rebola teamed up with the idea of employing traditional Portuguese craftsmanship to create beautiful bespoke furniture and decor.

Over time, Greenapple grew to a team of 30 craftspeople, all bringing their individual skills to each new design. A master woodworker, upholsterer and finishing specialist lead the team, with their work also passing down this expertise to the next generation of creators.

Greenapple challenges the uniformity of mass-produced furniture, such as in its playful forms for velvet-upholstered seating and wall mirrors that involve eclectic materials like green onyx, gold leaf and marble. Whether infusing complexity into the structure of a side table or bringing a silhouette of simple elegance to a set of uncomplicated dining chairs, Greenapple incorporates bold concepts and fresh ideas into every piece.

Greenapple has showcased its work around the world, including in Shanghai in 2018 for an Associative Design business mission. The company has an international clientele, including collectors in Asia, North America and across Europe. 

On 1stDibs, explore the vibrant luxury of Portuguese master craftsmanship with Greenapple seating, tables, lighting, decorative objects and more.