Project Sunday is a Utah-based furniture firm that crafts handmade pieces for residential and commercial spaces. Over the past 11 years, their team of four has made a name for themselves working with top builders and architects to create unique, heirloom furniture that makes a statement. To learn more about their custom furniture, we spoke with owner Kevin Jateff and in-house designer Riley Ridd.
THE BEGINNING
Like most great things, Project Sunday started as a casual endeavor. Jateff was living in an empty college loft when he and his roommates decided to make their own furnishings rather than purchasing them. Each Sunday, they met at a local woodshop to craft custom items with integrity. “We would hunt down overlooked and under-appreciated relics for our first few items, dubbing them ‘Project Sundays,’” Jateff recalls. The weekly ritual became a business opportunity when, in 2010, designer Riley Ridd came across their work and inquired if there was an interest in selling a few pieces. Jateff used the money to open his first brick-and-mortar shop and Project Sunday was open for business.
THE MISSION
For over a decade, Project Sunday has created a brand they describe as “art that serves, designers that listen and an emphasis on reliable professionalism.” Their thoughtful approach to designing, constructing and installing custom pieces has been executed in projects across the state and ranges anywhere from bold bartops to impressive conference tables, residential dining tables, and more. “The work we’ve done in restaurants in this city is pretty satisfying because we get to go back and enjoy it again and again,” says Ridd. You can find the polished pieces of Project Sunday in Copper Common, Campos Coffee, Table X and The Riverhorse, to name a few. The group has also carried out entire conceptual projects in Summit Sotheby’s agent offices and Black Feather Whiskey headquarters.
Designing custom pieces that fit the needs of homeowners is another specialty Project Sunday excels in. “We work hard to design [furniture] specifically for the life that will be lived in those spaces,” Ridd explains. One of their eye-catching dining tables was most recently featured in our Summer 2021 issue in a home designed by Scott Jaffa.
STEP BY STEP DESIGN
Their in-house design service is a valuable resource for clients who come to Project Sunday without a clear vision. Riley Ridd joined their team a few years after Project Sunday was established and now offers consultations to create stylish and functional spaces. Working step-by-step, Ridd helps clients define the layout and material of furniture that fits their needs and the overall concept of the room.
GREEN THINKING
One of Project Sunday’s guiding principles is building made-to-last furniture from reclaimed materials. They often use reclaimed barn wood or scrapped steel to forge furniture with character and meaning. However, that endeavor has evolved as the trend for reclaimed furnishings depleted materials available. “We’re learning to use materials that are reused, but in a new form,” Jateff says. “Last year we tried using paperstone, a surface material made from recycled paper, for a basement bar. It ended up being beautiful, it has weathered well, and we hope to find more clients willing to use it in the future.” In an industry that is continually developing, Project Sunday is looking for new ways to create quality furniture that’s still eco-conscious.
Project Sunday is reenvisioning the tradition of well-made furniture. To learn more about Project Sunday or to purchase their products, visit their website projectsunday.net.
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