Founded in 1984 by Lyn Godley and Lloyd Schwan (1955-2001), Godley-Schwan began as a small jewelry collection before expanding into furniture, lighting, product design, and interiors. Their work was exhibited internationally and collected by institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Arts and Design, and the Denver Art Museum.

Known for playful forms, bold color, and experimental use of materials, Godley-Schwan developed objects and environments that blurred the boundaries between art, design, and everyday life. Clients included the MoMA Design Store, Geoffrey Beene, Neiman Marcus, Barney’s New York, Sony, and DC Comics.

In 1989, Godley-Schwan became the first contemporary American design company to exhibit at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. Their work has been shown in publications, exhibitions, and museum collections internationally.

Following Lloyd Schwan's death in 2001, a retrospective of Godley-Schwan's work was presented at The Design Center in Philadelphia in 2004, accompanied by the publication Playing the Field: The Art + Design of Godley-Schwan.