Areaware was founded in 2005 by Lisa Yashon and Noel Wiggins. From the start, Areaware acted as a creative partner providing direction, product development, sourcing, marketing, sales, and distribution—so designers could focus on what they do best.

Fauna Pillows (2005) designed by Ross Menuez, one of Areaware’s first products. Photo: Alistair Matthews

Bank in the Form of a Pig (2005) designed by Harry Allen

Areaware’s first collection debuted at NYNow in 2005 with products by Ross Menuez, Harry Allen, Jonas Damon, Jason Miller, and Patrick Townsend. As the collection grew, so did our product language with objects that balanced concept, humor, and everyday use. By the end of the decade, products like Josh Owen’s Doorstop and Brendan Ravenhill’s Bent-Nail Bottle Opener further defined our playful, design-forward perspective.  

Orbit Chandelier (2005) designed by Patrick Townsend

Bent-Nail Bottle Opener (2009) designed by Brendan Ravenhill. Photo: Stella Berkofsky

The 2010s marked a defining era. Cubebot, designed by David Weeks Studio—now an Areaware icon—launched in 2010, opening the door to toys and puzzles designed for all ages. And as technology became more integrated with our daily lives, we responded with tech-adjacent objects, like Jonas Damon’s Alarm Dock.

Cubebot (2010) designed by David Weeks Studio

Alarm Dock (2011) designed by Jonas Damon

The brand continued to expand with objects that encouraged creativity and interaction: Balancing Blocks by Fort Standard, Blockitecture by James Paulius, and Table Tiles designed by Bower, to name a few.

In 2014, we refocused on the designer collectibles market, embracing objects that were thoughtful, playful, and beautifully made. Our mid-to-late 2010s collections celebrated both contemporary voices and design history with products like Solitaire Cards and Bitmap Textiles by the legendary Susan Kare, Totem Candles by Grain, Stacking Planters by Chen Chen & Kai Williams, Goober Candles by Talbot & Yoon, and our first collaboration with Dusen Dusen: Everybody Tissue Box.
We also launched our first in-house design, little puzzle thing, in 2018.

Solitaire Cards (2015) designed by Susan Kare

little puzzle thing, Series 1: Food (2018) designed by Areaware. Photo: Kendall Mills

When the world changed in 2020, so did life at home—and Areaware evolved with it. Designs that brought you into daily routines resonated deeply and met people where they were.

Goober Candles, objects with playful forms and bold patterns, and puzzles found new audiences during a time when home and positive distractions mattered more than ever.

Goober Candle (2018) designed by Talbot & Yoon, Match Striker (2020) designed by Josh Owen, and Everybody TIssue Box (2019) designed by Dusen Dusen. Photo: Emily Simms

As Areaware delved more into home, we continued to explore new forms. 2022 brought our first flat-packed furniture design, Splat Side Table designed by Sophie Collé, followed by Pluma Stool by Steven Bukowski. We also revisited lighting with Doko Lamp by Talbot & Yoon.

To mark this new endeavor we brought our community together for an NYCxDesign Week party, hosted at Colbo. It remains a highlight to this day.

Splat Side Table (2022) designed by Sophie Collé, Pluma Stool (2023) designed by Steven Bukowski. Photos: Frank Withers

In 2024, we introduced Palimals by Rilla Alexander to the world. The little wooden animal toys that celebrate connection and friendship captured the hearts of many.

Good Design Awards for Pluma Stool, Stack Containers by Hannah Bigeleisen, and Abaco Bottle Opener by Joe Doucet followed in consecutive years—confirmation that our products were engaging “designy people” as we intended them to.

For two decades, Areaware has worked with independent designers to create objects that invite play and spark curiosity—making everyday moments a little more joyful.

Areaware may be ending, but the products we made for home, work, and play are for keeps. We hope they’ll continue to evoke good feelings and bring a touch of delight and charm for years to come.