Built on Passion
Our Story
Pursuing timelessness in an ever-changing landscape
the heart behind our mission
About Us
This conceptual place was founded by Diana Toncea & Bianca Popa, two emerging designers who create one-of-a-kind pieces for interiors, under the brand of 1988 Cultivating Spaces.
Their simple, sculptural pieces bring meaning to one space, creating a sense of calmness and timelessness that will surpass here-today-gone-tomorrow trends.
The collections aspire to achieve the balance between nature and contemporary world, being meticulously crafted in experienced local ateliers from Romania, where a slow-paced, thoughtful approach is embraced. This careful process ensures high-quality craftsmanship while avoiding the hurried, impersonal nature of mass production.
Previously interested in frequently restyling their living spaces, Diana & Bianca have gained the belief that such changes focus on the non-essential and waste precious resources.
Thus, timeless spaces and their furnishing should reflect the essence of their owners, bare their individuality and do not require frequent restyling. The goal of Diana & Bianca became to provide such unique handcrafted pieces of a long-lasting value for which they brought together the finest artisans in Romania and Eastern Europe.
Inspired by the essence of things, you will find that our works focus on simplicity rather than ornamentation.
The asymmetry of organic design together with natural materials invite you to cherish our pieces from generation to generation, reminding us all to think not in terms of decoration, but in terms of clarity and exclusion of the non—essential.
embracing the moment
Slow living philosophy
At 1988 Cultivating Spaces, we embrace the philosophy of slow living and intentional living.
Slow living encourages us to take a step back from the rush of everyday life, focusing on quality over quantity and fostering a deeper connection with our surroundings. Intentional living means making mindful choices—choosing what truly matters and aligns with our values. Together, these philosophies guide everything we do, from designing timeless pieces that bring balance and beauty to your home, to promoting a lifestyle that values simplicity, purpose, and mindfulness in every aspect of life.
Meet the designers
Bianca Popa
Bianca Popa captures the essence of lasting beauty by transforming nature into simple, sculptural forms. Her work embodies a harmonious blend of organic inspiration and minimalist design, creating pieces that evoke elegance and grace while remaining functional and enduring.
Diana Toncea
Driven by a passion for creating timeless pieces, Diana Toncea is dedicated to crafting designs that transcend fleeting trends. Obsessed with the pursuit of longevity in design, their work is defined by clean lines, elegant grace, and enduring materials. Each piece balances form and function beautifully, exuding a refined simplicity that feels both contemporary and everlasting.
Recreate Our Vibe
This is our invitation to get inspired by how other design enthusiasts have styled our pieces.
Proudly collaborated with wonderful professionals out of which Daliana Raducan, ISRA Design, Laboratorul de Arhitectura, Lemon Interior Design, Miso Architects, Stefana Delia