Current Status:
Domestic Aesthetic launched its first product line at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in May 2008. The success of that event led to strong retail interest from stores across the US and Europe. Diane and the product line were featured on numerous blogs covering ICFF, with future press slated in several national publications.

Live Well, Live Right
“Live well, live right” is the company’s philosophy that you can have products that enhance your life while taking into account people and our planet. In a world full of waste and worker disregard, Domestic Aesthetic’s mission is to offer consumers affordable home products that adhere to environmentally and socially responsible standards.

Founded by Diane Ruengsorn, her experience in the furniture industry and work during Pratt’s Design Management program set the foundation for the direction of the company. In her work both inside and outside the classroom, Diane explored how companies could use design to engage communities and reduce their environmental impact. Her master’s thesis examined IKEA’s possible move into the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn, a community historically blighted by poverty and brownfields.

Community development remains a cornerstone of the company’s business model. By engaging farmers and foresters in impoverished areas, the company is committed to helping them develop their commodity goods into value added products. Domestic Aesthetic has identified several key opportunities through design, capitalizing on the growing demand for sustainable products, and through environmental certification to help achieve this goal. By actively working to establish such initiatives, Domestic Aesthetic can promote positive change within the industry.

Team
Diane Ruengsorn - Founder + Director
Andrew Kjoller: Chief Financial Officer
Kristina Drury: Design Director
Nick Foley: Designer
Andrew Garrison: Designer