The Design Process
Gemma was created from a broader desire to open a new path for Leland, and the design process fulfilled that desire from the start. We sought to create a forward-facing design that brings together modernist American design, Leland´s Midwestern origins, and European design. The end goal was to create a simple – not to be confused with simplistic – aesthetic. The collection’s friendly, quiet contours convey craft, warmth, and optimism without shouting. Created by Altherr Désile Park for Leland, the Gemma Collection stands out with personable elegance and optimistic flair. Bigger than a specific inspiration, Gemma was created from a broader desire to open a new path for Leland, keeping mid-century American values of optimism, expressiveness, and industrial experimentation as a foundation, while looking toward the future.
Sustainability
The naturality of Gemma’s design means it can cross effortlessly between spaces. Whether it’s an office area with a residential vibe, a lounge where people gather for coffee and chats, or a nook that invites parties of one, Gemma is fit for any space and every occasion. This is what good design should be—varied, adaptable, and extremely flexible, from one place to the next.
The chair’s metal sled and wood bases are easy and lightweight, while the table’s totem base – a modern descendant of shaker boxes – allows for options like power integration or height adjustment.
Technology can often feel hard and non-human. But the Gemma Collection is soft and intuitive. The totem option offers USB power discreetly wrapped into the design. And the height-adjustable version raises to comfortable heights, meeting a person – or people – in the moment.
Gemma Stitch is soft, voluminous, and inviting while echoing sensibilities from the rest of the collection, meaning it can be mixed, matched, and still maintain visual synergy. Adding the optional strap to the Gemma Stitch Lounge Chair turns any space into a flexible zone. Pull one over and join a group. Take one over to a nearby table
At Leland, we design furniture for good living. Inspired by our home state of Michigan, everything we need surrounds us—the company we keep, the nature outside our door, and the satisfaction of crafting by hand.
“Our approach is rooted in a defining Mid-Century Modern principle—that design should belong to its people and their surroundings.”
Second Nature
The furniture we sit, work, and lounge on should feel as natural as the air we breathe, and organic in the space it inhabits. In color, form, and spirit, the wonders of Michigan show up in our designs.
The Joy of Making
The spirit of Leland comes from the people who share our values: quality, authenticity, humanity. We find simple joys in the process of making and believe each person's story should be celebrated.
