CATHERINE SCHULTZ & TIM KEEPERS RIDE THE NEXT BIG DESIGN WAVE

Catherine Schultz & Tim Keepers 

Welcome to our ONLINE STORE  and blog. 

As a barware, lighting and home accessories design company, at Thomas Fuchs Creative we specialize in handmade goods. Every week we give you a behind the scenes look at the people, places and things that inspire us.

This week we introduce you to a couple much like ourselves who live and work together. Demonstrating the true balance of love and admiration with each other and for each other's art. 

Studio Yay: A Design Story of Love, Legacy, and Light

At the heart of every great design story is a partnership built on vision, balance, and passion. Studio Yay—short for “You and Yours”—is exactly that: a studio where architecture meets artistry, and functionality finds a poetic form. Founded by lifelong partners Tim and Catherine, Studio Yay is more than a creative collaboration; it’s a shared journey of soulmates, shaped by their pasts and fueled by their passion for design.

Tim Keepers Wake Boarding 

From Wakeboards to World-Class Design

Before stepping into the world of architecture and interiors, Tim lived a very different life—on the water. A former professional wakeboarder, he competed for five years on the World Wakeboard Association’s professional tour and represented the U.S. Olympic wakeboard team under the IWSF. His international journey took him across Australia and Spain, and he reached an impressive 5th in the world and 16th on the professional tour. After his athletic career, he shifted focus and pursued architecture in Tampa, where he also attended graduate school.

Today, Tim channels the precision, fluidity, and daring of his wakeboarding days into hospitality design projects and a sophisticated line of furniture and lighting, including statement dining and coffee tables that blend sculptural form with function.

Catherine's Jeweled Bespoke Boxes

Catherine’s Global Eye

Catherine, formerly in tech at Mailchimp, brings an eye for narrative, elegance, and craftsmanship to Studio Yay. Her home accessories collection includes custom handbags, jewelry boxes, and trinket containers made with rare finds—stones and curiosities she gathers from estate sales during her travels. Each piece is bespoke, imbued with its own story and theme, echoing a design philosophy where every object speaks.

Design That Marries Icons and Influence

Together, their design language draws from the architectural discipline of Richard Meier and Paul Rudolph, the detailing of Carlo Scarpa, and the layered maximalism of Tony Duquette. The result? A refined yet emotionally charged style that feels both modern and timeless.

Catherine & Tim accepting an award

Award-Winning Creations

Studio Yay’s bold, deeply personal work has been widely recognized:

• 🏆 2025 Muse Design Awards: Gold designation for their Shell Purses in the fashion category

• 🏠 2024 Future House Award: Best of Residential Design – Small Homes for their Tampa shipping container house

• 🌟 Architecture Collection & Design Awards: Platinum awards for four standout designs:

  • Taurus Coffee Table

  • Art Deco Knuckle Ring

  • Siren Collection Shell Purses

  • Cabinet of Curiosities Reading Room

• 💡 Prize Designs Lighting: Honored for Tim’s visionary lighting designs

The Award Winning "Taurus Table" by Tim Keepers

The Studio Yay Ethos

Studio Yay is the story of design that’s rooted in love, life, and layered aesthetics. It’s where discipline meets whimsy, and architectural rigor embraces the allure of a perfectly imperfect gem. It’s for those who appreciate objects that aren’t just beautiful but meaningful—crafted by two people whose shared life and passions shine through every piece.

The Calister Floor Light by Tim Keppers

We definitely believe this couple married in design is a "Must Have" be it a box, a table or light bringing their light into all your lives. 

On Instagram: @studioyay

Have a great weekend,

MICHOU