Richard Frinier, MA, IDSA, ASFD
Furniture Designer/Principal, Richard Frinier, LLC
www.richardfrinier.com

A native Californian, Richard Frinier is a graduate of California State University Long Beach holding a Master of Fine Arts degree. He has been a designer in the home industries since 1977 with an emphasis on luxurious leisure furniture for the resort-at-home and ultraluxe resort living experience, including hundreds of unique product designs.

As the former Chief Creative Officer of Brown Jordan, Frinier is recognized as “the spirit of the leisure industry” and for creating the sophisticated level of outdoor furnishings that removed boundaries in home design, while fueling and elevating the concept of the outdoor room. He has also raised awareness of this design movement and product category over the years through award-winning designs and compelling advertising campaigns that have appeared in the pages of America’s finest design, trade and shelter publications.

Since 2002, his own design consultancy has continued to serve an international clientele with licensed and co-branded collections, including indoor/outdoor furniture, accessories, lighting, and textile designs. It is through these successful collaborations with Century Furniture, Sunbrella, Currey & Company, and Dedon Worldwide that he has been able to create authentic, relevant and remarkable designs that possess his luxurious resort-at-home aesthetic and experiential essence of global travel.

Frinier’s range of work encompasses furniture designs most commonly defined as modern classics, including modern to contemporary and traditional to classic forms. He has been the recipient of more than 68 awards and commendations as presented by ASID, IDSA, IIDA, ASFD, reddot, Robb Report, Metropolitan Home, Interior Design, House & Garden, and Home magazines respectively. He has received “23” Design Excellence Awards from the American Home Furnishing’s Association’s Summer Casual Furniture Manufacturers’ division, including Best of Category and Best of Show designations. In 1997, 2004, 2005 and 2007 Frinier was honored by Metropolitan Home magazine as ranking among the publication’s “Top 100 Designs in the World.” In 2006, The Robb Report magazine recognized Frinier for his magical design “Daydream” by Dedon, as one of the best designs at large over the past 30 years. And, in 2006, he was also named by the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles, California, as one of the center’s prestigious “Stars of Design” in the category of product design.

Frinier continues to travel the world to identify new and existing materials that can be used in innovative ways. It is his appreciation for travel and vanishing world cultures that is always highlighted in his memorable creations. As a student and teacher of design, he is privileged to support American design institutions and organizations through important scholarship programs. His consultancy is based in California, where he and his wife Catherine work in tandem and reside.

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