Garfield & Squirrel Unveils Exclusive Collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong
“The Walnut Suite – A Private Heaven in Miniature” bridges tradition, storytelling, and luxury craftsmanship
Shanghai, China — Jul 25, 2025
Garfield & Squirrel, a creative platform known for its mission-driven storytelling and heritage-inspired design, is proud to announce an exclusive collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong. The result is a limited-edition collector’s piece titled “The Walnut Suite – A Private Heaven in Miniature” — a tribute to the hotel’s iconic guest experience, reimagined in the form of an intricately hand-carved walnut.
The sculpture is housed in a handcrafted acorn-shaped box, made from premium North American walnut wood, and lights up from within to reveal a miniature world inspired by the elegance and tranquility of The Ritz-Carlton’s private suites. Rooted in the centuries-old Chinese tradition of he diao (walnut carving), this piece bridges cultural heritage and modern storytelling in a form that is both timeless and tactile.
“We wanted to capture not just the look of a Ritz-Carlton suite, but the feeling — the sense of quiet, warmth, and retreat,” said Garfield, founder of Garfield & Squirrel. “This collaboration was about more than creating a product. It was about honoring a space, a culture, and a way of seeing.”
Available exclusively through The Ritz-Carlton’s in-house boutique, the piece is designed for discerning travelers and collectors who value craft, narrative, and meaning. At the same time, the collaboration gives local artisans an international platform to share their work — introducing traditional Chinese craftsmanship to global audiences through a luxury hospitality lens.
The project reflects Garfield & Squirrel’s broader mission: to create design work that goes beyond aesthetics — work that carries values, builds bridges, and amplifies culture. Previous partnerships with Delta Air Lines, Whole Foods Market, and other purpose-aligned brands have shown the studio’s ability to weave together art, ecology, and meaningful engagement.
“This is the kind of work we hope to keep doing — collaborations that feel human, culturally rooted, and quietly powerful,” Garfield added.
About Garfield & Squirrel
Founded by Vanderbilt University graduate Garfield, Garfield & Squirrel is a purpose-driven creative studio that blends behavioral research, conservation values, and artisan design. From walnut carvings to luxury collaborations, the brand crafts miniature worlds that tell bigger stories — reconnecting people to nature, memory, and the meaning behind what we choose to keep.
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