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play.room Is a Dream Come True for Robby Simon

One upside from the past few years has been people having the chance to explore creative avenues that otherwise may have eluded them. Robby Simon is a largely self-taught Black furniture designer and maker based in Atlanta, Georgia who was working a 9-to-5 job like most of us. His journey to creating his company, play.room, began during the pandemic through a learning and development opportunity made available to him through his day job at Mailchimp.

dark-skinned man sitting on the floor in front of a collection of wooden furniture

Robby Simon

abstract lamp with wood hanging on a white wall with a pair of Nikes hanging from it

AblŌh Lamp

Simon worked with his mentor, Robell Awake, another Black furniture maker in the city, to learn more about what his heart was pulling him towards creating. Why was Simon being guided in this direction? Because he realized he could be after seeing a handmade credenza in an executive’s office made by a local artist.

Now, Simon is part of Mass Collective, a maker space that gives him access to all of the tools he needs to design and build. Last year, he designed and built his first collection with another on its way this year. We’re looking forward to what creativity pours out of him next.

detail of abstract lamp with wood hanging on a white wall

AblŌh Lamp

illuminated abstract lamp with wood hanging on a wall

AblŌh Lamp

detail of illuminated abstract lamp with wood hanging on a wall

AblŌh Lamp

two door wood cabinet

GĀBI Cabinet

wood cabinet with two doors, one open

GĀBI Cabinet

two door wood cabinet

GĀBI Cabinet

detail of two door wood cabinet

GĀBI Cabinet

detail of rectangular four legs dark wood table

GEŪSE Table

rectangular four legs dark wood table with brass details

GEŪSE Table

detail of rectangular four legs dark wood table with brass details

GEŪSE Table

long and low dark wood cabinet

LŌ Cabinet

long and low dark wood cabinet

LŌ Cabinet

detail of long and low dark wood cabinet

LŌ Cabinet

detail of long and low dark wood cabinet

LŌ Cabinet

wood floor lamp with globe light

OBELĪSK Lamp

detail of wood floor lamp with globe light

OBELĪSK Lamp

detail of wood floor lamp with globe light

OBELĪSK Lamp

To learn more about Robby Simon and play.room, visit playroomisfun.com.

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she's likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.