Modern Laurence Outdoor Dining Chair, Mustard Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple

Rute Martins, Creative Director and co-founder of Greenapple, has been a driving force behind the brand since its beginning in 2005. Growing up in the countryside near Azambuja, just outside Lisbon, she found inspiration in the natural surroundings, which fueled her creativity from a young age. Her mother was a florist, and from a young age, Rute was captivated by the beauty of flowers and loved to let her imagination soar while creating floral arrangements. Summers spent at Nazaré Beach further enriched her connection to nature, becoming a wellspring of inspiration for her designs.

Alongside her husband Sérgio Rebola, Greenapple’s CEO and co-founder, Rute left her background in economics to pursue her passion for design. Today, as Greenapple’s Creative Director, Rute channels her innate gift for creation into every piece, much like a composer or writer expresses their inspiration through art. Her designs, characterized by elegant and contemporary pieces, draw inspiration from the organic shapes and raw beauty of nature. With a deep understanding of client preferences and ultimate desires, Rute designs furniture pieces and bespoke interiors that evoke feelings of tranquility and harmony, reflecting the global trend towards serene interior spaces.

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.