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From Global Sourcing to Design-Led Craft: The Story of Four Hands Furniture

From Global Sourcing to Design-Led Craft: The Story of Four Hands Furniture

by Yenny Nguyen in News

Four Hands began in 1996 with a simple idea: travel the world, discover beauty in unexpected places, and bring it home. Founded in Austin, Texas by Brett Hatton, the company started as an importer of one-of-a-kind antiques and handcrafted furniture found throughout Asia, Europe, and South America.

The name “Four Hands” represents the idea that many hands (from designers to artisans) touch every piece along the way. Each collection reflects a collaboration of craftsmanship, culture, and creativity.

What started as a small import company soon evolved into one of the most influential names in the furniture industry, The Four Hands brand is now known for its design innovation, material integrity, and global inspiration.

Redefining Modern Craftsmanship

By the mid-2000s, Four Hands made a pivotal shift from importing to designing original collections. This change transformed them from a distributor into a design powerhouse. Today, over 90% of Four Hands pieces are created in-house by their Austin design team, combining modern aesthetics with timeless construction techniques.

Every Four Hands items is made with purpose and precision. Think of plush leather sofas, a sculptural dining tables, or a piece of hand-finished lightings. The result is furniture that feels elevated, livable, and lasting.

At Native Citizen, we know our clients value furniture that’s both beautiful and built to last. Four Hands consistently delivers on both fronts.

What Makes Four Hands Quality Stand Out

Premium Materials: Solid oak frames, hand-tanned leathers, durable stone, and metal finishes are selected for both beauty and lasting performance.

Expert Craftsmanship: Traditional joinery meets modern engineering, with strict quality control across global artisan partners.

Global Inspiration, Austin Design: From European farmhouses to Japanese minimalism and California coastal style, each piece is thoughtfully refined in Austin.

Sustainable Practices: Materials are responsibly sourced, and long-term factory partnerships ensure ethical, environmentally conscious production.

Why We Love Four Hands

Four Hands shares our vision: furniture should inspire, last, and tell a story worth living in. When we curate their collections at Native Citizen, we know we’re offering our clients something more than furniture. We offer foundation pieces that become part of their home’s story.

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or designing an entire home, Four Hands brings a level of craftsmanship and versatility that perfectly compliments our Native Citizen design philosophy: design with a global spirit.

 

Love the pieces you're seeing?

We design homes and businesses with global spirit. Visit our Montrose or Heights studios to meet with a Native Citizen interior designer—complimentary, always. We’ll help you create a space that’s beautiful, functional, and ready for real life.

Ordering online? See the latest promotional sale.
Working with us as a design client? We take care of it all—from in-home measurements to furniture placement, art, and décor installation with expert precision and care. You dream it, we install it when you sign up for the design passport at our studios.

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