Check Out Sami EL Khattabi’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sami EL Khattabi.

Hi Sami, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my path as an architect, drawn to the idea of shaping spaces that connect people to their environment. But over time, I began to feel limited by how slow and rigid that world could be. I wanted a more direct, tactile way to explore ideas, so I began making furniture as an outlet.
During the pandemic, I spent a long stretch in Morocco, where I reconnected with the craft traditions I grew up around and apprenticed with artisans to learn Tadelakt, an ancient lime plaster technique. That experience grounded me and opened a new direction for my work.
When I returned to Los Angeles, I founded Verneo Studio as a way to explore how these ancestral techniques can live in contemporary design.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not. Moving from an idea to a finished piece is already a challenge in itself, and then there’s a whole new world of learnings, from sales packaging, the logistics of shipping…And all the unglamorous but very real side of making furniture.
Beyond that, finding a balance between running a business and keeping the creative, playful side alive has been its own juggling act.
but it’s also what keeps me motivated, by treating the design practice itself as a creative project, learning from the failures and celebrating the small victories along the way.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I design and make furniture that sits somewhere between sculpture and function, My work seeks to bring together digital fabrication and traditional craft, creating pieces that feel contemporary but still carry the depth and warmth of the handmade. What sets it apart, other than the fact that every piece is custom made, is that balance between precision and imperfection, between the digital and the human hand.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People who are interested in my work can choose from the catalogue of pieces I’ve designed, or commission custom work tailored to their specific vision. I’m always happy to explore new ideas together and see what unique forms can emerge.
As an architect, I’m also eager to collaborate on larger projects, from interiors to entire sculptural spaces, where furniture and architecture can come together in seamless continuity. If you’re out there and want to explore these ideas, let’s connect!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://verneostudio.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/verneo.studio/