“When we live sustainably, we live a legacy—celebrating connection and coming together to care for our planet.”
— Ashley Yeates, Lifestyle & Furniture Designer
Every space holds a story waiting to unfold, shaped by authenticity, sustainable design, and the quiet magic thoughtful furniture brings. When we express our identity through our surroundings, a home becomes more than a place to live; it becomes a reflection of who we are. That’s the real transformation.
Great design is more than style—it’s storytelling.
Ashley Yeates, a mindful and innovative sustainable designer, turns this belief into a guiding principle. She creates customized furniture that helps people express their lifestyle identity through modern, intentional design. Her pieces incorporate eco-friendly materials—textiles, FSC-certified wood finishes, glass, and natural latex—selected for durability, comfort, and their positive impact on the planet. The result is furniture that’s beautiful, meaningful, and grounded in a sustainable ethos.
Driven by a shared commitment to conscious living, Ashley partnered with MasayaCo to elevate that vision. The AY Collection in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, is the latest evolution: a sustainable design studio that functions as both workspace and gallery, showcasing artisans and brands committed to mindful craftsmanship. It’s a place where eco-conscious design is celebrated, where materials matter, and where storytelling becomes part of the creative process.
MasayaCo is proud to be featured in this initiative, with pieces that embody sustainable purpose. Together, we champion the belief that “if you buy right, you buy once”—advocating for long-lasting furniture built to be valued and passed down.
We sat down with Ashley to talk about her creative process, the stories behind her designs, the importance of an eco-friendly mindset, and how thoughtful collaborations—like the one with MasayaCo—can help shape a more sustainable future.
Ashley Yeates on Creativity, Craft, and Conscious Living.
How would you describe your creative process?
Ashley: My creative process flows from a deep connection to both my past and nature. I grew up surrounded by four eccentric grandmothers, an artist mother, and an antique-obsessed stepmother. Design, style, and ideas were everywhere, and they became the heart of my “creative crazy.” From their influence, I learned the importance of connection—to each other, to our homes, and to the legacy we leave behind.
Carmel’s rugged coast inspires my preference for natural materials and my philosophy of “under-designing” spaces—keeping the focus on bringing the outside in. This perspective naturally led to creating a sustainable furniture line, one made to endure and avoid adding waste to landfills.
My law degree also shaped my process. It taught me how to absorb and analyze large amounts of information—skills that are vital for high-end, ground-up projects. It became the foundation of my ethos: to create change while leaving the world a better place. I balance analytical precision with intuition and emotional sensitivity, knowing every decision impacts not only the client but also the planet.
I also draw wisdom from my grandfather, who often closed business deals on a beverage napkin. To him, good ideas and good people didn’t need anything complicated—just honesty, simplicity, and follow-through.
Where do you usually find your inspiration?
Ashley: I’m endlessly inspired by nature, God’s ultimate expression of creativity. I’m also drawn to antiques, functional furniture lines, vintage jewelry, cars, and objects that respect and reflect their place in time.
I’m deeply inspired by strong women who paved the way for my generation. Audrey Hepburn, for example, embodied timeless elegance and a free spirit. She cared about more than the present moment and believed in paying it forward. I like to think of myself as “The Modern Hepburn.” A woman who respects the past, honors the present, and charts a fashionable way forward through furniture and design.
Can you walk us through your design process when creating furniture?
Ashley: Every piece in my collection begins as a case study, looking closely at the client, the space, and the principles of sustainable construction. Furniture, much like a well-loved dog, should reflect the owner’s style or personality, that’s always phase one.
From there, manufacturing must align with the quality of the home while honoring the craftsmanship behind the piece, the environment, and the client’s legacy. Each piece is personalized to individual style, while maintaining quality and sustainability.
Every design undergoes rigorous quality control in my workrooms, with the intention of creating a custom heirloom, something fresh and modern, yet rooted in tradition. I call it “the new antique,” a piece designed to last for generations.
How do MasayaCo and Ashley Yeates align with their vision?
Ashley: MasayaCo and I are deeply aligned in our commitment to sustainability and in honoring the natural beauty of materials. We both believe in creating pieces that tell a story—where they come from, the craftsmanship behind them, and the responsibility to create in a way that gives back.
MasayaCo’s reforestation model and dedication to handcrafting furniture from sustainably harvested wood perfectly complement the ethos I bring to the Ashley Yeates Collection: non-toxic, artisan-made, biodegradable, and timeless design pieces with true purpose.
In your opinion, how is MasayaCo adding value to your new project, the AY Collection?
Ashley: MasayaCo brings extraordinary craftsmanship, ecological awareness, and heart to the Ashley Yeates Collection, both in our storefront and online. Their like-minded vision of leaving the world better than we found it adds immense value to what we’re building together.
There’s an old saying: “It takes a village to raise a child.” That perfectly sums up our alignment. We’re working to bring quality, not just profit, to the industry. When you focus on doing the right thing for many, the benefits extend far beyond individual or corporate gain.
What are your top three learnings regarding sustainability (and beyond) in the execution of your new project?
Ashley:
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Sustainability is holistic. It’s more than just using the right materials. It requires understanding the entire lifecycle of a piece and recognizing one’s role, whether individual or corporate, in that process. Buy right, buy once.
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Collaboration is essential. Working with a partner like MasayaCo shows the power of aligning on values and long-term goals. It’s about creating a legacy, not just a “new project.” Togetherness is what allows us to truly leave the world a better place.
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Honest storytelling matters. People want to know where furniture comes from and what it stands for. By weaving sustainability, craftsmanship practices, and mindset into the narrative of the AY Collection and MasayaCo partnership, we help customers feel a deeper connection. Why simply furnish a home when you can build a legacy?
Living with Purpose Through Design.
The AY Collection studio is more than a physical space, it’s an expression of mindful creativity and a celebration of sustainable design as a living art form. Each piece represents a movement toward a more conscious future, where furniture isn’t only functional, but a reflection of values.
Together with MasayaCo, Ashley Yeates highlights the impact of storytelling through sustainable design. Their collaboration demonstrates how beauty, craftsmanship, and environmental purpose can coexist—and how mindful choices can transform the way we live.
The AY Collection challenges the industry to rethink sustainable furniture, inspiring brands to collaborate and align around a shared mission. This is more than furniture; it’s a movement to add value to our planet.
Discover more about our collaborations and join the AY Collection and MasayaCo in shaping a future where every piece of furniture tells a story worth living.
Author: Paola Luconi G.