When Maria Camarena and Dave Sinaguglia began furnishing their new home – an 1850s farmhouse in rural Connecticut – they wanted to do it in a way that honored what they valued most: the joy of gathering. “We’ve always loved having people around our table,” says Camarena. “Whether it’s old friends or new ones, we want them to feel like they belong here.” That feeling of welcome would go on to shape not only their home, but also the foundation of their creative studio, Sin-Ca Design.
It began, naturally, with the centerpiece of any gathering: the table. Camarena and Sinaguglia designed and built a long wooden dining table paired with a bench – pieces meant to be lived with, shared around, and returned to night after night. Inspired by the drinks and conversations they imagined unfolding around it, they named the collection Shaken.
In addition to being inspired by future memories gathered around the table, Camarena and Sinaguglia were drawn to historic communal furniture traditions, particularly those of Shaker and Shaker-adjacent communities, including the Community of True Inspiration. “What moved us most was their simplicity,” Sinaguglia explains. “The idea that you could make something with skill and care, not for recognition, embellishment, or ego. That felt aligned with the kind of studio we were building.” From there, the collection grew organically, each piece responding to a real need within their home and daily routines.
Originally developed in 2017 for their Connecticut farmhouse, the Shaken collection remained an internal body of work rather than a formal launch. Today, from their Miami-based studio, Camarena and Sinaguglia are revisiting the collection as a way to reflect on Sin-Ca’s origins and reaffirm the values that continue to shape their practice.
Anchoring the collection is the dining table and bench, the latter in four different sizes, all designed with clean lines and traditional joinery that emphasize strength, longevity, and restraint. Built using time-tested staked construction and crafted from walnut, white oak, maple, or ash woods, the pieces feel both grounded and inviting – perfect for daily meals, long conversations, or moments of quiet work in between. Their versatility reflects the very way they were first used: as flexible furniture for living, gathering, and making space for others.
While the table and bench define moments of togetherness, the remaining pieces in the Shaken collection respond to quieter, more personal rituals. The blanket ladder was originally designed in Rhode Island as a way to store the blankets Camarena and Sinaguglia reached for every day. “We love blankets,” Maria shares candidly. “We use them all the time, watching movies, reading, especially in winter. We wanted a way to keep them close and look organized.”
The wall mirror followed soon after, echoing the ladder’s proportions and restraint. Designed to be either leaned or mounted, it offers the same balance of function and softness, fitting seamlessly into entryways, bedrooms, or shared spaces.
Together, the Shaken collection captures the early values that continue to guide Sin-Ca Design: honest craftsmanship, sustainability, and a belief that furniture should support connection rather than compete for attention. “This body of work really marks the beginning of Sin-Ca,” Camarena reflects. “It holds so much of what we believe in – honest design, warmth, sustainability. It’s where everything started.” What began around a single table continues to guide the studio forward – rooted in craft, shaped by community, and open to whatever gatherings come next.
To learn more about the Shaken collection by Sin-Ca Design, visit sincadesign.com.
Photography courtesy of Sin-Ca Design.
