We asked our team about their favorite ZUO pieces. We didn’t expect to hear about K-dramas, a very spicy snack combination, or a wedding with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background. But once we got past the furniture, we learned a little more about the people behind the product details, orders, and customer conversations. Here are their picks and stories, in their own words.
Hilda · Account Manager
I’ve been part of the Customer Service team at ZUO for 16 years. What I enjoy most about my job is helping customers and finding solutions when something doesn’t go as planned. I wouldn’t give my design style a fancy name—I just like things that feel comfortable, welcoming, and not too fancy. Outside of work, I love baking for my family. Fun fact about me: I’ve learned that baking is much less stressful than deciding what piece of furniture belongs in my house!
I get to enjoy the Bhutan Sofa because we have one in our office. After lunch, I sometimes sit on it to read a good book or watch a little of my favorite K-drama before going back to work. It’s so cozy that, even though I’m still at the office, it makes me feel a little like I’m at home.
The Riga Mirror first caught my attention in one of our showrooms. One day, a coworker told me to stand in front of it and take a closer look. We joked that it might be the most flattering mirror in the showroom, and it gave us a good laugh. I’ve liked it ever since! I also like that it’s a true full-length mirror.
Bettina Mora · Product Coordinator
One thing I really enjoy is being involved in the new-product process, especially when it begins with a specific idea or need from a customer. We then collaborate closely with our factories to bring that idea to life and make sure everything arrives on time. My personal design style is somewhere between minimalist and cozy. The first things I usually notice are how a piece is constructed and the materials used to make it. Outside of work, I love traveling, exploring new places, spending time in nature, and chasing beautiful sunsets. I’m pretty sure I have a mental collection of sunsets from every place I’ve visited.
The Bonker 3-in-1 Table is one of my favorite pieces because it’s sturdy, practical, and a lot of fun. You can use it for dining and then switch to pool or ping pong. When I first saw it in person, it looked even better than it did in the photos. I would love to have one at home, but I could also see it in a hotel game room or residential common area. I also saw the Oblak Sofa Gray in our Las Vegas showroom. Its futuristic shape stood out, but the color is what stayed with me: it falls somewhere between gray and blue, and it’s difficult to capture accurately in a photo. It’s comfortable, too.
Erika Ortega · EDI Specialist and Account Manager
What I enjoy most about my job is the people side—connecting with others, solving problems, and helping everything come together behind the scenes. My design style is cozy and modern, and shape, comfort, and color are usually the first things I notice. Outside of work, I love traveling, discovering new coffee shops, and getting lost in a good book. I also write thriller stories for my own podcast, so while I like my furniture cozy and welcoming, my stories can get a little dark!
The Boet Loveseat is probably the piece I would most want in my living room. Its cozy shape and soft-looking texture make it feel inviting before you even sit down. I also like the taupe color because it feels warm and is easy to work into different spaces. It would look just as good at home as it would in a hotel reception area, lounge, or suite where you want guests to settle in and stay awhile.
Cindy · Product Data Feed Manager
One of my favorite parts of my job is seeing which products our customers respond to and keeping up with furniture trends in the market. My personal style is definitely minimalist—I love spaces that feel clean and organized. I’m usually drawn to color, shape, and materials, but I also pay attention to how practical something will be, especially whether it’s easy to clean. Outside of work, I enjoy Pilates and taking my beautiful dog for walks. Fun fact: I absolutely love Flamin’ Hot Cheetos with extra-spicy salsa. The hotter, the better!
The Rovina Dining Table caught my attention because of its clean shape and warm natural color, but the fact that it’s easy to clean makes me like it even more. It has a simple look that would work perfectly in my dining room without making the space feel crowded. I can picture it as the place for everyday meals, time with family, and probably a few Flamin’ Hot Cheetos too!
Miguel Gonzalez · IT Director
I’ve been with ZUO for ten years. I love seeing new technology come to life, especially when it makes things easier for our team or our customers. My design style is modern and minimal—lots of gray tones, soft textures, and not too much color. That said, I still enjoy seeing the crazy statement pieces I would never actually put in my own home. When I look at furniture, I always pay attention to what I’m getting for the price: materials, construction, sturdiness, and anything else that tells me a piece is built to last. Outside of work, I’m always looking for a great view. Our wedding had the Golden Gate Bridge behind us—along with plenty of classic San Francisco fog.
The Portia Office Chair Brown has a design you don’t see every day. It’s the kind of chair people would notice immediately and ask, “Where did you get that?” I think it would look great in a modern office, but it also feels sturdy and made for everyday use—not just something that looks good.
Lola Mateos · E-Commerce Manager
I enjoy working closely with our online buyers on promotional strategies and selecting the right products for their brands—especially when I get the chance to meet them in person! My own design style is a mix of mid-century modern and Japandi. I’m drawn to earth tones, clean lines, and solid wood pieces that make a space feel simple, cozy, and personal. Outside of work, I love exploring the city and nearby hiking trails with my dog, Tofu!
My favorite detail on the Altalen Coffee Table is the leather magazine sling built into the side. I still think magazines make great souvenirs and collectibles, so I love that the table gives you somewhere to display them instead of hiding them away. The travertine top, brass-finished frame, and leather create a really interesting mix of materials.
Itzel Fernández · Account Manager
I enjoy making the process as smooth as possible for my customers and paying attention to the little details that make their experience better. My design style is simple and comfortable, but I still like pieces that catch your attention. Pink is one of my favorite colors, and we definitely have some beautiful shades of it at ZUO. Outside of work, I love traveling, discovering new places, and finding spots with sweet treats I can’t pass up. I’m also curious about how things work—from engines to why water can appear in different colors within the same body of water.
The color and texture of the Refine Swivel Chair in Pink Tweed immediately caught my attention. It’s exactly the kind of chair I would put in my living room, especially since I love having a comfortable accent chair where I can read in the afternoon. I’ve seen it used in residential projects, and it always adds something fun and special to the room.
Ana Bañuelos · Product Information Manager
I joined ZUO this year, and there’s something special about being part of a team that cares about what we do. Since I spend my days working with product information, I naturally pay attention to the details. My personal style is clean and minimal, but I always like adding one or two eye-catching pieces that give a room some personality. Comfort and durability are just as important to me as looks. Outside of work, I enjoy long walks in nature, relaxing at the beach, finding places with a beautiful view, and baking anything that gives me an excuse to try a new recipe.
The Boise Hanging Chair Green is the kind of piece that instantly makes me want to sit and relax. I can picture myself reading a book in it, enjoying the view, or having a refreshing drink by the pool. And one detail that made me love it even more is the cup holder. Living in a tropical place, I really appreciate thoughtful features like that.
Flor Lozano · Account Manager
I work from our Las Vegas showroom, where I love welcoming customers and seeing their reactions to our products. It’s always fun to hear them talk about how vibrant and beautiful everything looks in person. My design style is modern and minimal. I’m drawn to simple pieces, but I also enjoy adding a colorful accent to make a space pop. Outside of work, I enjoy taking walks with my dog, trying a nice restaurant or coffee shop, reading a good book, and playing pickleball.
The Jamela Sofa is one of my favorites because of its modern silhouette and distinctive shape. It’s also really comfortable. We consistently get great reactions to it in the showroom, and I can see it working beautifully in either a home or a contemporary commercial space.
Now you know a little more about the people you work with at ZUO—and perhaps a few things you didn’t expect to learn. We hope one of their picks made you look twice, whether you’re choosing for a client, a hotel, or your store. If it did, get in touch. We’d be happy to help you take a closer look.
