Spanish for countess, Condesa by Golshaah and Studio Benu blends sophistication with raw forms
Sometimes a collaboration just clicks. For Golnar Ahmadian, founder and creative director of Toronto lifestyle and fashion brand Golshaah, and Neda Zavareh of design practice Studio Benu—friends in both life and work—their shared vision for a new organic furniture line was sparked by a joint trip to Mexico City. Inspired by the city’s bold architecture and organic forms, the duo turned to furniture design to develop their newfound interest. The result? A mixed collection of delicate lamps and sconces, soft seating, tables, mirrors and more that bring a taste of Chilangolandia to Toronto.
“We became drawn to the sculptural language of Mexican design—the raw beauty of handcrafted materials, the play of light and shadow on curved surfaces, and the warmth of earthy textures,” shares the team. “These elements found their way into our designs, shaping each piece into a fusion of art and function.”
Each piece carefully handcrafted in Canada, the collection includes an elegant asymmetric curved sofa with oak wood legs, which can be paired with the Condesa floor lamp—a sturdy lighting option with a solid oak base that is reminiscent of a chess piece brought to life—to create a whimsical scene with a distinctly fashionable edge. However, as simple as it may appear, the design was not without its hurdles.
“The floor lamp was the first piece we started with, and it turned out to be the most challenging. We began with the ceramic base, sketching ideas and collaborating with a talented artist. Initially, we hoped to craft it as a single piece, but its complexity led us to build it in three sections,” explains Zavareh.
The two lights in the collection, the aforementioned floor lamp and the Condesa wall sconce, are a study in contrasts. Anchored with a dark wood in bulbous, rounded shapes, the 100 per cent cotton fabric shades in a light-yellow offer a soft glow and a satisfying juxtaposition—the wall sconce also happens to be designer Zavareh’s favourite.
“It’s so charming and cute, with a lovely simplicity that really warms up a space,” shares Zavareh. “I chose to install it in a powder room I designed, and every time I see it, it melts my heart. The light coming through the shade is gentle and soft, creating a warm, inviting glow that feels like the flicker of a candle.”
Next in the collection, the Condesa mirror (Ahmadian’s favourite) features a spherical-patterned frame that feels just as much like a piece of art as functioning looking glass. With a wooden base, it can stand on its own or be hung—infusing interiors with a marked design presence. The final design of the collection, the asymmetric dining table, continues to play with these contrasting forms: the table boasts three uniquely shaped wooden legs in varying thicknesses and a dark tabletop in a rounded silhouette.
“The spherical forms that define the collection echo the architectural and artistic rhythm we felt throughout Mexico City—soft yet strong, bold yet inviting.”
More than a collection, the duo explains that Condesa is a story of exploration. For Ahmadian—who has an academic background in architecture and fashion—creating Condesa wasn’t about transitioning to furniture, but expanding the boundaries of design. “The line between art, design, fashion, architecture, and furniture has always been incredibly fluid for me, and crossing it has been both inspiring and fulfilling,” she says.
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