Tennis Icon Venus Williams Just Released a Collection With Crate & Barrel – It’s a Love Letter to Sport, Timeless Style, and Soft Sophistication
Venus Williams served an ace with this 128-piece, quiet luxury-inspired collection, and you've got a courtside seat to see it all
Balance, movement, precision – these principles define the game of tennis as much as they speak to the art of interior design. And for athlete-turned-designer Venus Williams, they’re the hallmarks of her debut collection with Crate & Barrel.
Though many of us recognize Venus for her accolades on the court, she’s just as much of a force with her interior design firm V Starr – where she fuses her knowledge of tennis with her design sensibilities to develop interior schemes that are as thoughtfully driven as her hundred-mile-per-hour serve. This Crate & Barrel collection is Venus' latest endeavor – just after her recent stint at the US Open – and in a way, it’s a synthesis of her passions, sophisticatedly and tastefully joined together.
Tennis is all about movement – something Venus knows well. She's incorporated movement in some of her pieces, like the undulating face of the Legacy Credenza.
‘The inspiration came from a lifetime of loving design,’ Venus tells Homes & Gardens about the 128-piece collection, complete with everything from lighting and accent chairs to pillows and even kids' decor. ‘I’ve always been drawn to pieces that feel artful, architectural, and timeless; pieces that make a statement and that you can envision living with forever,’ she continues.
Venus drew from a vast range of influences to develop the range. You’ll notice natural woods and earth tones that speak to Venus’ passion for mid-century style, as well as organic curves and sculptural forms that reflect her love of Brazilian modernism. The collection's sophisticated, quietly luxurious undertone speaks to Venus’ appreciation for Italian design, having been inspired by it on a trip to Italy with Crate & Barrel’s Head of Design, Sebastian Brauer.
The artful design of the Motion Stone Pendant can make a statement in any room, as it does hanging in this modern living room.
Tennis, of course, is a central theme of the range. Though some obvious references are evident – the ball-clad Motion Stone Pendant and the lined Court Throw Pillow Cover being two of them – the sport’s inclusion is a bit more nuanced than that.
‘In tennis, precision matters, but so does knowing when not to overdo something. I approached this collection in a similar way,’ Venus muses. There’s a strong push and pull between balance and restraint through the collection’s details – for instance, the curves and the angles, the softness and the rigidity, and even the sophistication and the playful edge. Getting that balance right, according to Venus, makes the collection feel ‘intentional and artful, and still comfortable.’
The Meadows Bed is a cozy haven that can turn your bedroom into your favorite room in your house.
Venus and her design team worked with a range of materials and textures to make this collection come to life. You’ll find everything from smooth Italian marbles and grainy oak woods to nubby chenille fabrics and even high-gloss finishes. Consider it Venus’ masterclass in mixing, matching, and thoughtful contrast.
As for color, the collection’s palette is relaxed and sophisticated, composed of rich browns, maroons, ivories, greens, and soft tans. These shades are a nod to traditional tennis colors, but also give the collection its sense of longevity and timelessness. Clearly, Venus wants these pieces to stay desirable in your home for years to come.
The Game Point Swivel Chair is a personal favorite. It subtly nods to tennis with oak wood ball details that join its back with its seat.
Venus Williams’ collection with Crate & Barrel is an artful blend of sport and style – built from years of skillful play, immense design knowledge, and Venus’ own repertoire of references. It’s Venus’ hope that these pieces become personal objects that you treasure, ‘bringing a sense of beauty and individuality to your home while feeling enduring enough to live with you for many years,' she remarks.
Shop the highlights of Venus' timeless, tasteful, and inspired collection below.
Shop Venus Williams' Collection at Crate & Barrel
The tennis inspiration makes an obvious appearance in this stunning table lamp. Its base, which is made of oak wood spheres shaped like tennis balls, is meant to resemble a tennis hopper, or the basket used to pick up loose balls during practice. With a soft shade on top, this hopper has never looked more chic.
'The Roland Coffee Table really represents the vision behind the collection,' Venus explains. 'I’ve always been drawn to mid-century modern design, and I love how the free-form shape gives the piece a sculptural quality and a sense of movement. It captures the balance we wanted throughout the collection: artful but still functional.'
Bring your love of the game right to your couch with this pillow. Its lines and stripes resemble those of a tennis court, while its varied green tones give it an elevated edge. It can easily add some visual interest to your throw pillow arrangement.
Swivel chairs have been on the rise this year, and this style might just take the number one spot. Upholstered with an ivory chenille fabric, it's ultra-soft to the touch and extra comfortable for prolonged lounging. Plus, the wooden balls that support its floating back are a chic nod to tennis.
Aside from the stylishly grooved exterior and scalloped top rim, this end table also features hidden storage – making it all the more desirable for living rooms, bedrooms, or reading nooks. Its spacious interior can hold books, remotes, games, or other knickknacks that need a proper home.
We love the sophistication of this floor lamp – from its elongated rectangular shade to its travertine base. It can elevate any room, bringing soothing light to the scene as well as effortlessly chic style. Plus, how thoughtful is the ball detail within its base?
Chocolate brown has been one of the defining color trends of the past few years. With its soft and grounding nature, the color can bring a sense of quiet sophistication to your home. I'd style this chocolate brown ottoman in a living room – it can be a soft place to rest your feet or a stylish extra seat for guests.
This high-gloss burgundy tray elevates everyday serving. Spherical shapes along the exterior act as a subtle nod to tennis, but also bring an unexpected level of texture to the tray itself. I'd keep this on a coffee table and style it with books and trinkets.
There's so much to love about this accent chair – from its curved shape and its light wood frame to the nubby texture of its upholstery. It's a modern masterpiece, a chair that'll become the statement piece in whatever room you place it. Sit in it, and you'll feel like the one who calls the shots.
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