Warm, personal, intimate — the words that describe Eny Lee Parker are equally applicable to her work too. As a spatial designer, Eny Lee creates deeply personal furniture, lighting, and decor pieces meant for living with, not just looking at. And her approach to designing a full life follows suit.
In this week’s SIDIA Stories, we talk to Eny Lee the intimacy of handmade pieces, finding inspiration from Sao Paolo to New York, and the power of some good fucking lighting.
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Our favorite way to kick these conversations off is with a discussion of the strong women in our lives. We know your mom is a major inspiration — and has even been a collaborator on products with you. What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from her?
"It’s more her outlook on life than any specific lesson. My mom is such a complete human — she meets people where they are, finds joy in the little things, and knows how to have fun no matter the situation. Everything can be beautiful to her. That’s what I’ve learned most from her: presence, openness, and joy."
From your earliest years in Sao Paolo and LA to your current home in NY, how has your environment shaped your work?
"It’s always the people and the energy they bring. In Brazil, there’s this innate joy that I hope shows up in my work. LA gave me the colors — the neutrals, the tones of the ocean and the mountains. And New York has the drive, the tenacity, and the community I’ve come to love and rely on."
Your work feels deeply personal, with a sense of warmth and humanness in every project. What’s your perspective on creating pieces that are more than just functional items, but rather vessels that can tell a story or evoke a mood?
"Because all our pieces are handmade, there’s already an intimacy there — and it’s such an honor to have them in someone’s home."
"To me, it’s a no-brainer: I want these objects to feel warm or intentional, maybe even a little off in scale so they take up space in a cute, surprising way. They’re meant to be lived with, not just looked at."
There are few things more intimate than our homes — the spaces we live our most vulnerable moments in. How do you approach designing pieces that honor that sense of intimacy?
"Lighting plays such a big role in that. It can ease someone in, create coziness, or even guide a person’s attention and mood. It’s one of the most powerful tools for setting a tone in a space — and for honoring how people actually feel in their homes."
Lastly: what rituals power your work, whether they’re self-care routines or creative processes?
"I crave routine more than anything, probably because I rarely get to have it. When I do, I romanticize the hell out of it. Wake up early, work out, journal, take my time getting ready, and have at least six solid hours to myself to really work. Those days are precious. They ground me. They’re rare, but when they happen, I feel like my best self."
Eny's Ritual:
