Business Details
Your Trusted Source for Modern Furniture & Design
Founded over 30 years ago by Michael Manes, M2L has been a pioneer in the architectural and design community through our commitment to the Genuine Design movement. We specialize in providing fresh yet timeless modern design solutions to design professionals and their clients, ensuring authenticity through partnerships with creators who personally approve our product manufacturing. Our curated selection includes exclusive European brands and the reintroduced iconic designs of Harvey Probber, reflecting decades of craftsmanship and innovation.With showrooms in New York and Washington DC, we combine global design expertise with personalized service, supported by a team representing many decades of industry experience. Our mission extends beyond product saleswe aim to add value to the entire design process through trusted relationships, transparent practices, and a relentless focus on quality across product development, pricing, and client support.
Services
Furniture Sales
Lighting Solutions
Contract Design
European Brand Representation
Design Consultation
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of expertise in modern design curation and distribution
- Our Genuine Design philosophy ensures product authenticity through creator partnerships
- We maintain exclusive relationships with European manufacturers like Wittmann
- Our team represents decades of combined experience in architectural design
- We provide comprehensive support from product selection to post-installation service
Services
Modern Furniture Sales
M2L curates exclusive modern furniture collections from European manufacturers and iconic American designers. Our offerings combine heritage craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics, providing architects and designers access to authentic, high-quality pieces. Each item undergoes rigorous selection to ensure it meets our Genuine Design standards while offering versatile solutions for residential and commercial spaces.
Contract Design Support
We provide specialized support for large-scale design projects through our Contract Design division. This includes tailored product selection, space planning assistance, and technical specifications for commercial environments. Our team works directly with architects and interior designers to implement cohesive design solutions that balance aesthetic vision with functional requirements across hospitality, corporate, and institutional settings.
European Brand Representation
As exclusive representatives for key European brands, we bridge global design innovation with North American markets. Our partnerships with manufacturers like Wittmann ensure access to authentic, licensed designs that maintain original creators' specifications. This representation extends beyond product distribution to include market insights, trend analysis, and localized support for international design integration.
Design Consultation
Our experienced team offers personalized design consultation services to help clients navigate complex design decisions. This includes material selection, spatial planning, and product specification tailored to specific project requirements. We provide technical expertise and creative insights throughout the design process, ensuring solutions that align with both aesthetic goals and practical considerations for residential and commercial applications.
Lighting Solutions
We offer curated lighting collections that combine functional illumination with artistic expression. Our selection features contemporary fixtures from European manufacturers and American design icons, carefully chosen to complement modern interiors. The lighting solutions integrate seamlessly with overall design schemes while meeting technical requirements for residential, commercial, and hospitality environments through our Contract Design division.
People
Michael Manes
Founder
Pioneer of the Genuine Design movement with over 30 years in modern furniture curation. Established M2L to bridge European craftsmanship with American design needs while maintaining strict authenticity standards through creator partnerships.
Matt Manes
President
Continuing his father's legacy, Matt leads M2L with deep industry knowledge gained through decades of international manufacturer relationships. He oversees operations and strategic direction while maintaining the company's commitment to authentic design principles and client service excellence.
Questions
What is Genuine Design?
Genuine Design refers to products where creators personally approve manufacturing processes to ensure authenticity. At M2L, this means we only offer pieces where the original designer or their estate maintains quality control oversight.
Do you work with residential clients directly?
While our primary focus is serving design professionals, we welcome residential clients through our showroom experiences in New York and Washington DC, providing access to our curated collections and expert guidance.
How do you ensure product quality?
Through strict adherence to Genuine Design principles, we maintain direct relationships with creators and manufacturers. This includes regular factory visits and quality checks at our European partners like Wittmann to guarantee craftsmanship standards.
Can you help with large-scale commercial projects?
Yes, our Contract Design division specializes in commercial applications. We provide tailored solutions including product specification, technical support, and coordinated delivery for hospitality, corporate, and institutional environments.
What makes your European brand partnerships unique?
We maintain exclusive representation agreements with key manufacturers, ensuring authentic access to their latest collections. Our relationships go beyond distribution to include collaborative market development and trend forecasting for North American applications.
How do you support design professionals?
We offer comprehensive support including technical specifications, CAD files, product samples, and personalized consultation. Our team provides expertise in material selection, spatial planning, and implementation of modern design solutions for both residential and commercial projects.
