Niche Handmade Furniture

Niche Handmade Furniture is a New York City-based design studio specializing in handcrafted home décor and furniture made with bold, culturally rich textiles. Our core products include cushion covers, ottomans, and accent chairs made from authentic African fabrics such as mud cloth and other heritage textiles sourced globally. Each piece is handmade with care, blending traditional patterns and techniques with clean, modern forms to create functional art for the home.

The story began in 2019 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, when founder Eskinder Assfa launched Nor Handmade Furniture—a brand rooted in African craftsmanship and cultural storytelling. Nor quickly gained recognition for its unique blend of traditional techniques and modern aesthetics and continues to operate successfully in Ethiopia. In 2024, Eskinder moved to New York City with a vision to expand his creative mission globally, founding Niche Handmade Furniture to bring the spirit of Nor to an international audience.

Our mission is to celebrate identity and culture through design. We serve design-conscious homeowners, interior stylists, and boutique retailers looking for standout pieces with a story behind them. What makes our work truly unique is the marriage of tradition and modernity every item is thoughtfully designed, ethically produced, and made to start conversations. Whether it’s a one-of-a-kind ottoman or a custom order, Niche Handmade Furniture offers timeless pieces with soul and substance.