Creativity and Inspiration: Sheila Llovet and Her Journey with Obstacles
The Face Behind Obstacles
Sheila is the founder and creative force behind Obstacles, a design studio dedicated to creating minimalist, timeless furniture that bridges the gap between architecture and interior design. With a background in interior design and a deep understanding of the interplay between form, function, and materiality, Sheila’s work has evolved from large-scale collaborations with architects to the creation of her own distinctive line of furniture. Known for her emphasis on craftsmanship, sustainability, and intentional design, Sheila’s philosophy centers on stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the true essence of each piece.
Through Obstacles, Sheila not only pushes the boundaries of design but also challenges herself and others to rethink how the aesthetic principles of architecture, interior design, and even fashion can intersect to create pieces that are both beautiful and meaningful.
The Essence, the Material, the Light
"True craftsmanship comes from refining something down to its simplest, most powerful form. When you focus on the essence, the material, the light—it all falls into place."
- Sheila Llovet
The beginning
“I started as an interior designer and founded my studio in 2018. I was fortunate to collaborate with well-known architects in Barcelona, working on large-scale projects. Through these experiences, I gained insight into the relationship between architecture, interior design, and furniture.
Architects often focus on form, proportion, and technical aspects like lighting, while interior designers focus on filling spaces. Sometimes, this creates a disconnect. I felt the need to design pieces that would bridge the gap between the two disciplines. My inspirations included Dom Hans van der Laan and Tadao Ando, as well as local interior architects like Francesc Rifé. I wanted to create furniture that enhances space rather than dominates it, allowing room for the void.”
The core design philosophy of Obstacles
“My design approach is about stripping away the unnecessary to reveal the true essence of a piece. Whether I’m selecting materials, sketching, or constructing, I start with an abundance of options and then refine until I find the perfect balance. This results in minimalist yet powerful forms.
“Craftsmanship is a priority over mass production—we don’t create more than 200 pieces of the same design. We also avoid the fast fashion cycle by keeping designs in production for several years instead of constantly releasing new collections.”
What significant projects has Obstacles undertaken, and what impact have they had?
The creation of each furniture piece is a project in itself. Obstacles was born out of my interior design practice, where I proposed unique furniture pieces to clients. Over time, these collaborations evolved into a full furniture catalog.
Unexpectedly, many galleries started reaching out, wanting to represent us. The process happened organically, and the best part was that I got to work with people I genuinely admire. Ultimately, Obstacles is about passion rather than purely business.
In an industry that often prioritizes trends and fast success, how do you stay focused on long-term quality and authenticity?
“The biggest challenge has always been fear—fear of failure, fear of not being ready. But I’ve learned to use fear as a force for growth rather than letting it paralyze me. Every time I feel fear, I transform it into energy to take action.”
“First, embrace fear—it’s inevitable, but it can push you forward. Second, define your philosophy early on and ensure consistency in everything from your communication to your imagery. Third, think long-term—don’t rush for quick wins; focus on quality. Finally, surround yourself with the right people, both professionally and personally. Having a strong support system is crucial for creativity and success”
A piece of advice from Sheila
"Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to grow. Creativity thrives when supported by a strong foundation of trust and collaboration." – Sheila Llovet
Connection to KM by Lange
“I had been following KM by Lange’s work even before the collaboration, so when the opportunity arose to integrate fashion into the visual narrative of Obstacles, it felt like a natural fit. This was my first time using elements of fashion within my design language, which primarily revolves around furniture. I wanted to work with a brand that aligned with my values and could enhance the narrative I was trying to create.
I started by exploring different brands, but KM by Lange stood out as the perfect choice. I reached out to Kati and asked if she would be interested in incorporating her pieces into my work, and she was more than happy to collaborate. We both share a commitment to slowing down a fast-moving culture, prioritizing intentional design, and being closely connected to the production process while selecting high-quality materials. Sustainability is also integral to both of our approaches—not something we actively market, but something that is simply a part of our lives. Additionally, KM by Lange has an architectural expression, which aligns with one of the key identifiers of Obstacles: the intersection of architecture and interior design.”
Material selection considering sustainability in collaboration with KM by Lange
“Sustainability is integrated into my life, so I don’t use it as a marketing tool—it’s just a given. My focus is on aesthetics and materiality. For the collaboration, we carefully selected key pieces, considering color, texture, and how the light would interact with the fabrics. While we had a clear concept in mind initially, once we brought the materials into the space and saw how they responded to natural light, we had to improvise.”
How do the design principles of Obstacles align with the aesthetic and functional goals of KM by Lange?
“Both of us emphasize minimalism, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Our work focuses on creating timeless pieces that do not follow fast fashion or design trends but instead celebrate form, materiality, and intentionality. There is also a shared appreciation for raw, natural materials and how they interact with space, light, and the human body.”
Key outcomes of collaboration
“The primary goal was to integrate another type of creator into our work. Until then, we had only collaborated with architects, artists and interior designers. For the launch of Obstacles, I wanted to incorporate fashion because it has a unique way of expressing values and positioning brands. Fashion is one of the most effective industries in terms of branding and storytelling, so I thought I wanted to explore it…
Addressing challenges
“The biggest challenge was during the photoshoot. We chose to work with a fashion photographer instead of an architectural photographer, which meant stepping outside of my usual comfort zone. Normally, when photographing interior spaces, I control proportions and symmetry using a tripod. However, in this case, I had no control.
We had to balance the furniture with the model, the clothing, and the expressions, all while ensuring that the object and clothing remained central to the narrative. During the shoot, I felt insecure because I couldn’t see the results immediately. But I learned to let go and embrace the experimental process. The final images surprised me and even helped me imagine future campaigns.”
What is new and upcoming?
“For the next shoot, I’d love to incorporate KM by Lange’s jewelry. This would add another layer of depth to the relationship between fashion design and objects. I also want to bring together multiple brands I’m passionate about—using clothing from one, jewelry from another, and pieces from Obstacles—to create a cohesive narrative that extends beyond just myself.”
Muse: Sheila Llovet Instagram: Sheila_llovet
Furniture for architecture: Obstacles , IG: @seriesofobstacles
Photography: Ismael Moumin Studio and Savannah Angela
Model: Cecilia M.
Interview: Jesse David
Outfits and Jewelry: K M by L A N G E