Inspired by God and the Hope They have in eternity, Nate and Gigi DeFreest  design and craft furniture and objects that are beautiful, like the created world we live in, and durable, meant to be passed down to your children and grandchildren.

The colors in the pieces are fun, to put a smile on your face, and remind you of childhood, when everything was exciting and you had curiosity and wonder. Before life circumstances made you feel you had to “grow up,” all of us are children - we have just gotten a little bigger and been around a little longer, and maybe experienced a little more than others have; but that doesn’t have to kill joy! He collaborates with his wife Gigi, who masterfully curates colors that complement each design.

The brand is “Substance” because Nate loves to play with materials, he is truly an inventor at heart, seeking out all the hidden secrets behind what makes materials work in their own way and even to discover their spiritual meaning/significance. There are often situations that call for one material over another; the interest and pursuit of this perfect matchup is why they are named “Substance.”

Never stop playing, never stop enjoying life, never stop appreciating the world around you-

If you would like to know more please talk with us, we are happy to explain why we do what we do

Nathan growing up in Germany found the home life for most Germans was very organized and considerate of spaces. He found himself designing more often with this organizational approach. Gigi was born and raised in Guangzhou, China many of the homes are small apartments, limited in space, she found an interest in making the most out of what is available.

The couple met at Rochester institute of Technology while studying design, Nate in furniture design and Gigi in industrial design. They now live in Rochester NY where they own and operate a design-build studio/workshop