Eny Lee Parker knows how to throw a good party. The NYC-based artist regularly hosts gatherings that simultaneously look like the coolest event we would ever dream of being invited to while also appearing effortless and unfussy. Eny’s namesake design studio was founded six years ago and she has quickly amassed a following in the art and design world. In her collection of furniture and tabletop for Lulu and Georgia, you’ll find artful pieces that are designed with daily celebrations in mind. Whether it be mixing up a cocktail after work from the Cami Bar Cart or hosting friends gathered around the Lu Coffee Table, Eny carefully designed pieces that blend the best of form and function. Read on for more about Eny’s process as an artist and what her journey has looked like.

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You are a spatial designer primarily focused in the medium of clay. Tell us about your journey as an artist.

I started in Interior Design, and found myself drawn towards the furniture we’d spec. So after working briefly in the field, I decided to pursue my masters in Furniture Design. I used instagram as a design journal and posted about my projects while in school. At some point, I think people assumed I was a business and I ran with it. I did a residency in 2017 and pitched clay as my main medium for furniture (even though I hadn’t had experience with it). I believe leading with curiosity takes you to places, and I learned to be ok with having things not work out all the time. The more you try, the more chances you have for something to stick.  

This is our first collection together and we are in love with how it turned out. Walk us through your design process for this collection and the inspiration behind it. 

The inspiration is a collection of period pieces, artists I enjoy, and moments I want to create for people while merging the West with the East influences. I love the idea of introducing Asian hints through my own lens as a Korean, born and raised in Brazil and living in New York. I am also in love with this process as I felt like there was mutual respect and admiration from the team at L&G and vice versa. 

How would you describe your style?

I’d go with playful. Maybe a little awkward, and hopefully adventurous. 

There is a lot of thought put into form and function when designing products that people use in their daily lives. Walk us through what that looks like for you. 

Most of my pieces tend to lean on the simpler or literal side. Seems easy, but there is a subtle beauty in producing such works, especially when you can balance a design element that is not too much, nor too little. When a product is well thought out, it can live among others in harmony.

Was there a specific moment that clarified to you that art/design was something you wanted to pursue professionally? 

I don’t think so. I believe my mom saw talent in me, and she invested in it. I tried different fields of art and design such as illustration, fashion, and interiors. I think furniture is a great mix of all of them, and where I like to thrive.

"I believe leading with curiosity takes you to places, and I learned to be ok with having things not work out all the time."
- Eny Lee Parker

Speak to the names you gave the pieces. 

For the L&G collection, I wanted to keep them simple and spring-summery. Names that had a warmth to them such as May and June.

We know it’s hard to play favorites, but what are a few of your stand-out pieces from the collection?

I truly think the Elle Console is beautifully done. And that piece was completely re-imagined, it took me 10 minutes to redesign, but it’s one of my favorite pieces. It’s simple but the details of the eclipse lines and the different tones of wood make me happy. The sectional also came out to be exactly what I was going for. I wanted a modern sectional that didn’t feel sterile. The bows are a sweet addition that makes the piece more approachable and cozy. 

What is one thing you want all of your customers to know about your designs? That it really is a labor of love for my culture and my mom.

What’s next for you and your studio?

Feels like this year we’ll be going through a lot of changes. I’m trying to focus on the plans we have ahead, such as a few more shows, I may be curating a small women's and non-binary-led show in New York, finishing up my farmhouse in Connecticut and we’ll see what else comes for the other half of the year :) 
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