TOV is a fun first, never boring furniture brand headquartered in Miami. Since learning about them a few seasons back, I've watched the brand aggressively proliferate numerous cultural hot spots, i.e. Montauk and Aspen, kitting out immersive lounges and party spaces with a relaxed yet relishing approach at increasingly relevant F1 weekends, or in the stalwart space of Art Basel Miami Beach. And of course, you can touch and feel the product in these jet set locales, but year on year the brand is gaining a critical share on the wacky world of online retail.

What's particularly refreshing about TOV is its low key attitude and clearly hard working team—also that it's not obnoxiously priced and/or assembled with ultra-precious materials and therefore justifying a years-long waits for delivery. Nothing wrong with precious—we like, we maybe even love precious—but furniture to me is meant to be played on, wiggled here and there in combination with other pieces, flipped for the season, or moved on from like a beloved but burnt out lover. If you're scared to sit on your precious couch, I think it should maybe live somewhere else, or maybe we ought let its idea die a slow but stately death.

And don't get me wrong. TOV cuts a sharp figure, quality met with tried and tested taste—with restraint, palette, materials—all the good stuff. It's just got that ephemeral attitude. It's moving swiftly, and when you do that, you don't overthink. And maybe that's a Miami thing? TOV does love to throw a party... Or maybe it's that the founder, a mother of three at the time, launched the brand over ten years ago now with only $2500 in a New York basement alongside her husband and Co-Founder Bruce Krinsky, and has scaled it, punching into a competitive space with craft-consciousness and an appetite to have some fun and not take oneself too seriously.

After all, it's just a dining room, just a patio, just an accent chair—obsession over these impermanent spaces is all good and fine, but one's relationship to objects does need to keep on its toes or you risk missing the point. From the perspective of TOV, that means appreciating that there are a lot more opinions and considerations in the room than there might have been historically, and so just listen a tad bit more.

About the party? About the room? We know the real magic is about whose in it—those simple touches that made it special, that creative consideration that was far from obvious, that charged atmosphere where no one wants to leave despite ubiquitous curfews. And we might contest, but none of that happens without furniture.

Here, then, is a conversation with co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director, Chaya Krinsky, about keeping things in constant motion, how the cultivated values of an adventurously lived life continue to infuse the brand, and of course, the perfect dinner party and its critical ingredients.

‍

What have you learned about the furniture industry and building your own brand since co-creating TOV?

I’ve learned that building a brand is very different from selling furniture. Anyone can design a beautiful chair, but creating an emotional connection with customers is much harder. People don’t just buy furniture. They are creating a home and expressing who they are. We’ve always believed great design shouldn’t feel intimidating or be reserved for luxury price points. Staying true to that vision while continuing to evolve has been one of the biggest lessons. The furniture industry is also incredibly resilient. Trends change, supply chains shift, and consumer behavior evolves, but brands that continue listening to their customers and adapting thoughtfully are the ones that last.

Is there anything you look back on about your origins that you still shake your head about?  

In the early days, we genuinely had no idea if anyone would understand what we were trying to do, or, more importantly, if people actually had the guts to order furniture online. We were basically building the plane while flying it, putting out designs we loved and hoping there were enough people out there crazy enough to trust us.

What trends or movements have you observed in the furniture space, and how is TOV responding to them?

Consumers have become much more confident in their own taste. Instead of buying matching furniture sets, they’re mixing colors, textures, and styles to create homes that feel personal. We’re also seeing people expect more from their furniture. It has to be beautiful, functional, and built to last. At TOV, we’ve embraced that shift by introducing more customizable upholstery through our North Carolina manufacturing, expanding our assortment, and continuing to design pieces that help people express their individuality rather than follow rules.

Where do you find inspiration for your designs? Does it come from travel, historical designs, or your community?

Inspiration comes from everywhere. Travel has always been one of my biggest creative influences because every city has its own design language, whether it’s a boutique hotel in Copenhagen, a café in Paris, or an art gallery in Miami. I’m equally inspired by fashion, architecture, hospitality, and the way people actually live in their homes today. We never want to simply recreate a trend. We look at different influences and reinterpret them into pieces that feel fresh, approachable, and distinctly TOV.

How would you describe or relate to the notion of resilience?

To me, resilience is staying committed to your vision while remaining flexible in how you get there. Building a business is full of unexpected challenges, from supply chain disruptions to changing markets and difficult decisions. I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about pretending everything is easy. It’s about showing up every day, learning from setbacks, making thoughtful decisions, and continuing to move forward. Every challenge has made us stronger and helped shape who we are as a company.

Describe your ideal outdoor dinner party featuring TOV furniture. Who is there, what is being served, and what is the atmosphere like?

It would be a long table outdoors on a warm evening with family, close friends, and a mix of creative people who enjoy great conversation. The menu would be simple but elevated with fresh salads, grilled fish, homemade pasta, beautiful vegetables, and plenty of shared dishes that encourage everyone to linger. The table would be filled with candles, fresh flowers, comfortable seating, and music playing softly in the background. My favorite gatherings are the ones where no one is looking at the clock because everyone is so engaged with each other.

Regarding business expansion, where has the brand grown recently, what were the key takeaways, and what is next?

This year has been an exciting period of growth for TOV. We’ve continued expanding our product assortment while investing in domestic upholstery manufacturing, allowing us to offer greater customization and shorter lead times. We’ve also strengthened our partnerships with major retailers and marketplaces while continuing to grow our direct-to-consumer business. One of the biggest lessons has been that growth is most successful when it’s intentional. It’s not about expanding as quickly as possible. It’s about building the right infrastructure, investing in the customer experience, and staying true to what makes the brand unique. Looking ahead, we’re focused on continuing to innovate, introducing exciting new collections, and making beautifully designed furniture accessible to even more homes.