From banking to building.
Studio dilli is the work of Dille Thomas, a Dutch designer-maker based in Cape Town. After ten years in banking, he left the corporate world to build furniture with more freedom, character and presence.
Working from a small hands-on studio, Dille creates bold, made-to-order furniture and objects shaped by material exploration, sculptural form and one unexpected move.
From banking to building.
Studio Dilli is the work of Dille Thomas, a Dutch designer-maker based in Cape Town. After ten years in banking, he left the corporate world to build furniture with more freedom, character and presence. From a small hands-on studio, Dille creates bold, made-to-order pieces shaped by material exploration, sculptural form and one unexpected move.
A different beginning
Founded in 2017 by Dutch designer-maker Dille Thomas, Studio Dilli began as a step away from a ten-year career in banking and into something more hands-on, creative and personal. The early work explored organic curves, modular systems and furniture with a stronger sense of character. Over time, that exploration grew into a design studio shaped by material research, sculptural form and the continued refinement of one unexpected move.
Cape Town
A move from the Netherlands to Cape Town marked a new chapter for the practice. With more space to build, experiment and start again, the work gradually evolved into Studio Dilli: a hands-on furniture studio shaped by colour, material exploration and a more personal design language.
Now
Today, Studio Dilli is focused on a tighter collection of coffee tables, modular tiled pieces, consoles and one-off objects for expressive interiors. The work sits between furniture, object and statement piece: functional, but always shaped by presence, character and one unexpected move.
A different beginning
Founded in 2017, Studio Dilli began as a move away from banking and into something more hands-on, creative and personal. Early explorations in organic curves, modular systems and furniture with character still shape the studio today.
Cape Town
A move from the Netherlands to Cape Town marked a new chapter. With more space to build and experiment, the work evolved into a more personal design language shaped by colour, material exploration and hands-on making.
Now
Today, Studio Dilli is focused on a tighter collection of coffee tables, modular tiled pieces, consoles and one-off objects for expressive interiors. Functional pieces with presence, character and one unexpected move.
Selected exhibitions
A few places the work has been shown.
Cape Town Furniture Week
Exhibitor at Cape Town Furniture Week, a contemporary design fair for furniture, lighting and homeware.
Dutch Design Week
Participant at Dutch Design Week, one of Europe’s leading design events.
Retro Fantastic
Group exhibition at Dutch Design Hotel Artemis in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Cape Town Furniture Week
Exhibitor at Cape Town Furniture Week, a contemporary design fair for furniture, lighting and homeware.
Dutch Design Week
Participant at Dutch Design Week, one of Europe’s leading design events.
