LAYLO is the practice of Sam and Lydia Link.
Founded with the intention of building through the exploration and integration of traditionally siloed crafts, the partners design and independently produce limited edition, functional works in their Chicago workshop using both contemporary and age-old equipment and techniques.
Sam and Lydia are deeply committed to creating each piece themselves, believing firmly that this hands-on approach imbues their creations with a tangible essence of their presence as both artisans and artists.
Their work is a testament to their dedication and passion, an ode to the meticulous and diligent process of creation. They adopt a "slow-cooker" approach to design and manufacturing, a deliberate counter-narrative to the relentless 24/7 production schedule that has dominated the market since the mid-19th century referencing the contrarian Arts and Craft and Studio Craft movement that emerged.
As a result of their methods, each piece in their collection is not merely an object but a narrative of Sam and Lydia’s personal journey through the manual manipulation of materials. Their work is informed not just by their own creative visions but also by external references that guide their labor. In an age of mass production, LAYLO stands out as a beacon of individuality and craft, offering pieces that are not just made but are brought into existence with intention, care, and a profound connection to the history and significance of making.
Lydia, born in 1991 in Chicago, IL, participated in Chicago Public Schools arts program Gallery 37 where she demonstrated her aptitude for both painting and drawing.
She attended Bard College from 2010-2014 and obtained both a B.F.A. and B.S. in Studio Arts and Ecology, respectively. Lydia’s undergraduate thesis work studied the effects of invasive vegetation on bird nest site selection and was published in The Condor: Ornithological Applications.
After graduation, she worked in the studio of artist Judy Pfaff assisting with all aspects of the work from production, to archiving, to installation at major institutions.
In 2015, Sam and Lydia founded Laylo Studio and relocated to Chicago, IL soon after allowing them to participate in the city’s cultural history collaborating with and learning from both industry and other creatives.
Concurrently, she has maintained a multi-faceted, full-time position at Studio Gang where she has contributed to architectural modeling, exhibition design & furniture design as Build Shop Manager and has brought an ecology and sustainability focus to the firm’s urban design and green infrastructure research as the Urban Ecology Specialist.
Sam, born in 1992 in Madison, VA, was homeschooled alongside his older and younger sisters. His parents, an engineer and an artist, involved him in craft and home renovations, priming his early introduction to woodworking in the shop of Phineas Rose.
Pursuing his academic interests, Sam attended Bard College from 2009 to 2013, earning a B.S. in Microbiology. There, he met Lydia, and they began collaborating. Post-graduation, Sam worked briefly in biotechnology before seeking assistant positions for craftspeople, designers, and artists: woodworking with Fern Handcrafted, ceramics with Nicole Cherubini, and metal fabrication/ millwork at Iron & Wire.
In 2015, Sam and Lydia founded Laylo Studio and relocated to Chicago, IL soon after allowing them to participate in the city’s cultural history collaborating with and learning from both industry and other creatives.
By 2018, the success of Laylo Studio had engaged Sam full-time while completing his M.F.A. at the Art Institute of Chicago, specializing in Designed Objects (2020). Ever since he has managed the studio’s day to day activities making work for private clients, interior designers, and architects.