A conversation with House of Leon

 

 

Before a collection enters a room, it begins as a conversation between place, process, material, and maker.

For House of Leon, furniture is not simply designed; it is tested, reconsidered, and refined until it feels resolved. Based in Los Angeles, the studio is led by twin brothers Steven and Jordan Neman, who are known for bespoke pieces that balance architectural structure with restraint. Their work is confident without excess, grounded in proportion and material integrity.

As one of SALT’s artisans, House of Leon brings a disciplined West Coast approach to craftsmanship. Each collection reflects a clear understanding of how furniture functions in space—how it holds weight, interacts with light, and endures over time.

Their newest collection, Antwerp, marks a deliberate shift. Where past work leaned into contrast and detail, Antwerp focuses on natural materials, softened forms, and restraint. The collection is defined by precision and reduction, allowing material and proportion to lead.

We spoke with Steven and Jordan Neman about the evolution of Antwerp and the decisions that shaped it:

You’ve just launched your new collection, Antwerp. Before we get into the details, tell us how this collection came to life and what initially pulled you toward Antwerp as its point of reference.

Antwerp began taking shape when the Milan Collection was finished in its design phase. We wanted to counterbalance the heavy metals and details in the Milan Collection with a collection that was more grounded, highlighting natural materials and letting them take center stage. 

It's hard to recall this. These things developed over a span of time and places. 

The vision stayed consistent for the most part. Early on, there was a temptation to push certain pieces further, to make them more expressive or more decorative. But each time we did, it felt like it was working against the soul of the collection. The unexpected turn was actually learning when to pull back. The strongest moments came from restraint, letting proportions, weight, and materiality do the talking rather than relying on detail for detail’s sake.

The sofa series however did go though a lot of iterations. At first the seat was not separate and the arms were larger, but after some testing with the team, we decided to make some last minute changes. 

As mentioned above, materials were everything here. We focused on finishes that feel lived-in rather than perfected. Woods with depth and character, surfaces that absorb light instead of reflecting it, and textural shearling. Nothing is overly polished or precious. The goal was to create pieces that feel anchored, almost architectural, like they belong to the space rather than decorate it. That grounded quality comes from respecting the material’s natural character and allowing it to speak honestly, without over-manipulation.