Former West Elm President Alex Bellos Launches Ellis Works Hardware Brand
Ellis Works, a hardware company founded by former West Elm president Alex Bellos, is reimagining cabinet pulls and knobs as functional art. Based in Brooklyn's Sunset Park, the company produces curated collections by local artists, including Heath Wagoner, Jonathan Mergele, and Kalen Kaminski. Bellos, who previously led West Elm to $2 billion in revenue and ran Schoolhouse, aims to blend bold aesthetics with everyday usability. The brand debuted at the end of 2025 and is named after Bellos's great-grandfather, an immigrant who entered through Ellis Island. During New York Design Week, Ellis Works collaborated with William White on an immersive installation and launched Joshua Williams's ceramic 'Cairnsmore' knob. Bellos hints at expanding into other functional home goods.
Key facts
- Ellis Works was founded by Alex Bellos, former president of West Elm and CEO of Schoolhouse.
- The company produces cabinet pulls, handles, and knobs designed by local artists.
- Products are made in ten materials including brass, nickel, verdigris, and antique finishes.
- Bellos spent 14 years at West Elm, becoming president in 2017 and growing revenue to $2 billion.
- He left Food52 in 2023; Food52 filed for bankruptcy in December 2025.
- Ellis Works is based in a workshop in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
- The brand debuted at the end of 2025.
- Collaborators include Heath Wagoner, Jonathan Mergele, Kalen Kaminski, and Joshua Williams.
- During New York Design Week, Ellis Works staged an installation with William White.
- Bellos hints at expanding into other functional home goods.
Entities
Artists
- Alex Bellos
- Heath Wagoner
- Jonathan Mergele
- Kalen Kaminski
- Joshua Williams
- Adrian Madlener
Institutions
- Ellis Works
- West Elm
- Schoolhouse
- Food52
- Dansk
- Rejuvenation Hardware
- William White
- GONE
- The Architect's Newspaper
- TLmag
- Frame magazine
- Architectural Digest
- Artnet News
- Cultured
- Domus
- Dwell
- Hypebeast
- Galerie
- Metropolis
- Design Academy Eindhoven
- Parsons School of Design
Locations
- Brooklyn
- Sunset Park
- New York
- Ridgewood
- Queens
- Portugal
- Ellis Island
- Brussels
- New York City