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HUE Collection was created by sisters Donna Winfield and Danelle Sabathier, bringing together backgrounds in interior architecture, fine art, branding, and international design experience.
Could you please tell us more about your art and design background? What made you become an artist/designer? Have you always wanted to be a designer?
HUE Collection was created by sisters Donna Winfield and Danelle Sabathier, bringing together backgrounds in interior architecture, fine art, branding, and international design experience.
Donna Winfield is an interior designer with decades of experience creating high-end boutique hospitality and residential homes across the United States. Her background is deeply rooted in architectural space, quality materials, craftsmanship, and timeless interiors.
Danelle Sabathier began her studies in fine art before pursuing International Affairs and living in Paris for eleven years. Her career later expanded into global marketing, brand strategy, and digital product development across media, education, and technology sectors before returning fully to creative practice through painting and design.
We created HUE Collection to merge art, architecture, emotional experience, and functional design. We have both always been drawn to creating, whether through interiors, objects, painting, or atmosphere. HUE Collection became the natural intersection of those worlds.
Can you tell us more about your company / design studio?
HUE Collection is a contemporary design brand focused on functional art and collectible design objects for modern interiors. Our work combines sculptural form, emotional resonance, and enduring materials with practical function.
The collection currently includes porcelain enamel Creative Boards and handcrafted tables that explore the relationship between color, architecture, and material permanence. We are especially interested in creating objects that feel timeless, tactile, and emotionally connected to the spaces they inhabit.
Our work is intentionally produced in limited quantities with a strong emphasis on craftsmanship, material integrity, and thoughtful design rather than mass production.
What is "design" for you?
For us, design is the intersection of function, emotion, and atmosphere. Good design is not simply about appearance. It shapes how people feel within a space and how they interact with the objects around them.
We believe design should create both utility and emotional resonance while remaining timeless and deeply intentional.
What kinds of works do you like designing most?
We are most drawn to designing pieces that exist between art and function. We love creating objects that are sculptural and emotionally expressive while still serving a practical purpose within daily life. We especially loved designing the Creative Board as wall art, and the silhouette of the Bourbon Cocktail table which is made from copper, blued steel and porcelain enamel.
Our work is especially focused on interiors and objects that influence atmosphere, creativity, and human connection within a space.
What is your most favorite design, could you please tell more about it?
One of our favorite designs is the HUE Collection Creative Board series. We were interested in transforming a traditionally utilitarian object into something architectural, artistic, and emotionally engaging.
The porcelain enamel surface has extraordinary depth, durability, and luminosity, while the color palette was developed to feel timeless and atmospheric rather than trend-driven. The boards are intended to function equally as creative tools and sculptural design pieces.
What was the first thing you designed for a company?
The first designs we created as HUE Collection were a series of custom 3’ x 9’ red Creative Boards and 21-inch diameter tables. These early pieces established many of the ideas that continue to define the collection today, including the use of porcelain enamel surfaces, sculptural simplicity, bold color, and the balance between functionality and artistic presence.
What is your favorite material / platform / technology?
Porcelain enamel is our favorite material because of its permanence, depth, durability, and ability to hold color beautifully over time. It feels both industrial and refined at the same time.
We are also drawn to natural materials such as copper, steel, wood, and stone because they age with character and authenticity.
When do you feel the most creative?
We tend to feel most creative during quieter moments when there is time for reflection, experimentation, and immersion in the process. Travel, architecture, nature, and observing materials and spaces often spark new ideas organically. One of our most memorable experiences was exploring the less frequented areas of Venice while photographing historic door designs and architectural details.
Which aspects of a design do you focus more during designing?
We focus heavily on color, proportion, material interaction, functionality, and restraint. Color is central to our process because it strongly influences emotion and spatial experience.
We often simplify and refine repeatedly through drawings and prototypes until the design feels emotionally, functionally, and structurally streamlined.
We are dedicated to highly refined construction and finishes.
What kind of emotions do you feel when you design?
Designing feels deeply absorbing and meaningful. There is excitement in discovering new forms and materials, but also tension and discipline in refining ideas until they feel resolved.
What kind of emotions do you feel when your designs are realized?
There is a strong sense of fulfillment in seeing an idea move from concept into a physical object that people can experience within their own spaces.
It is especially rewarding when people emotionally connect to the design in unexpected ways.
What makes a design successful?
A successful design feels timeless, emotionally coherent, and thoughtfully made. It should improve a space not only visually, but emotionally and functionally as well. We also believe successful design has longevity and does not rely purely on trends.
When judging a design as good or bad, which aspects do you consider first?
We first notice proportion, clarity, and authenticity. We are drawn to work that feels intentional and emotionally grounded rather than overly decorative or excessive. Material quality and craftsmanship are also extremely important to us.
From your point of view, what are the responsibilities of a designer for society and environment?
Designers have a responsibility to create thoughtfully and avoid contributing to disposable culture. We believe objects should be designed to last both materially and emotionally.
There is also an important responsibility to respect craftsmanship, sustainability, and the long-term relationship people have with the objects they live with.
How do you think the "design field" is evolving? What is the future of design?
We believe there is a growing desire for authenticity, craftsmanship, and emotional connection within design. Many people are moving away from disposable products and toward objects with permanence, story, and integrity.
We think the future of design will place greater value on material honesty, sustainability, small-batch production, and emotionally meaningful spaces.
When was your last exhibition and where was it? And when do you want to hold your next exhibition?
HUE Collection was recently presented internationally through Archiproducts and recognized through the A' Design Award & Competition, as well as IDA.
We hope future exhibitions and presentations will increasingly bridge contemporary art, collectible design, and interior environments.
Where does the design inspiration for your works come from? How do you feed your creativity? What are your sources of inspirations?
Our inspiration comes from architecture, material surfaces, interiors, fine art, travel, nature, culture, and emotional atmosphere. We are especially inspired by spaces and objects that feel restrained, layered, and timeless.
Living in both Europe and the United States has also influenced our perspective on design, proportion, and material culture.
How would you describe your design style? What made you explore more this style and what are the main characteristics of your style? What's your approach to design?
Our style is minimal, architectural, and emotionally expressive. We are drawn to strong forms, layered surfaces, restrained palettes, and materials that feel timeless and tactile.
Our approach is highly iterative. We simplify, refine, and adjust repeatedly until the object feels visually balanced and emotionally resonant.
Where do you live? Do you feel the cultural heritage of your country affects your designs? What are the pros and cons during designing as a result of living in your country?
We are based in the United States, with strong influences from both American and European design traditions. Donna’s design background and Danelle’s years living in Paris shaped a shared appreciation for timeless materials, craftsmanship, and atmosphere.
One advantage of working in the United States is the openness to innovation and entrepreneurship. One challenge is balancing small-batch craftsmanship with the realities of manufacturing and scaling responsibly.
How do you work with companies?
We prefer collaborative relationships built on mutual respect, creativity, and long-term vision. We enjoy working with companies, designers, and partners who value thoughtful design and craftsmanship rather than purely short-term commercial outcomes.
What are your suggestions to companies for working with a designer? How can companies select a good designer?
Companies should look for designers with a clear point of view, consistency, and integrity rather than simply following trends. A strong designer understands both emotional impact and practical execution.
The best collaborations happen when companies trust the creative process and allow room for originality.
Can you talk a little about your design process?
Our process usually begins with considering form, beauty, functionality, material exploration, and color. We spend a great deal of time refining proportion, finishes, and interaction between materials.
The process is highly iterative and often involves simplifying and removing elements until the final design feels balanced and intentional.
What are 5 of your favorite design items at home?
Japanese ceramics
A handcrafted, cast metal, sculptural chandelier
A French antique armoire
Large-scale contemporary artwork
A large, modern, time-worn leather sofa
Can you describe a day in your life?
Our days are usually a balance of creative development, material review, photography, production coordination, branding, and business strategy. Much of the work also involves observation, research, refinement behind the scenes, and walking dogs.
Could you please share some pearls of wisdom for young designers? What are your suggestions to young, up and coming designers?
Develop your own perspective rather than chasing trends too quickly. Spend time understanding materials, proportion, atmosphere, and emotional impact.
Strong work usually develops slowly through repetition, discipline, and refinement over time. Finally, stay curious.
From your perspective, what would you say are some positives and negatives of being a designer?
One of the greatest positives is creating objects and spaces that meaningfully affect how people live and feel.
One challenge is balancing creativity with production realities, business demands, and visibility in a highly competitive industry.
What is your "golden rule" in design?
Remove what is unnecessary until the essential feeling remains.
What skills are most important for a designer?
Observation, curiosity, discipline, emotional intelligence, communication, and the ability to refine ideas over time are all essential skills for designers.
Which tools do you use during design? What is inside your toolbox? Such as software, application, hardware, books, sources of inspiration etc.?
Our toolbox includes sketching, photography, Adobe Creative Suite, REVIT, material sampling, color studies, and physical prototyping. We also draw inspiration from architecture books, interiors, museums, travel, contemporary art, and film. Depending on the project, we combine digital tools with hands-on material exploration to better understand proportion, surface, color, and how an object will physically exist within a space.
Designing can sometimes be a really time consuming task, how do you manage your time?
We try to work in focused blocks while balancing creative work with operational responsibilities. Prioritization and consistency are essential because thoughtful design requires both patience and concentration.
How long does it take to design an object from beginning to end?
It depends greatly on the complexity of the piece and material development involved. Some designs evolve over months through testing, refinement, and prototyping before they feel fully resolved.
What is the most frequently asked question to you, as a designer?
People often ask how we choose color and materials, and how we balance functionality with artistic expression.
What was your most important job experience?
Our combined experiences across interior design, international living, branding, hospitality design, learning from our mistakes, and creative strategy strongly shaped the foundation of HUE Collection.
Those experiences taught us how design influences atmosphere, emotion, and human experience across many different contexts.
Who are some of your clients?
HUE Collection primarily works with collectors, homeowners, designers, architects, and design-conscious clients who value craftsmanship, material quality, and emotionally resonant spaces.
What type of design work do you enjoy the most and why?
We most enjoy work that exists between art and functional design because it allows objects to become both emotionally expressive and deeply integrated into everyday life. It’s fun to see public commercial and hospitality places using our designs.
What are your future plans? What is next for you?
We plan to continue expanding HUE Collection through new colors, product categories, exhibitions, collaborations, and international visibility within the contemporary design world.
Do you work as a team, or do you develop your designs yourself?
HUE Collection is highly collaborative. We work closely together on creative direction, material development, branding, and overall vision while also collaborating with skilled fabricators and craftspeople during production.
Do you have any works-in-progress being designed that you would like to talk about?
We are currently exploring new collectible design pieces that continue our interest in architectural materials, sculptural form, color, and emotional atmosphere within interiors. We are exploring an artist’s series, and a new coffee table collection.
How can people contact you?
People can contact us through the HUE Collection website and social media channels at huecollection.com, and @huecollection.
Any other things you would like to cover that have not been covered in these questions?
At its core, HUE Collection is about creating objects that feel beautiful, unique, enduring, thoughtful, and emotionally connected to the spaces people inhabit. We are interested in the relationship between art, function, atmosphere, and material permanence, and in creating work that people will continue living with for many years.
