MATERIAL MATTERS: CATHY NORDSTRÖM

Furniture and fabric have always belonged together. One brings structure, the other color, texture and personality. At their best, both are made with care, designed to last and become better through use.

It is this shared way of thinking that brings Munder Skiles together with Swedish textile designer Cathy Nordström for the first chapter of Material Matters.

WATCH MATERIAL MATTERS

Known for her expressive use of pattern and color and her love of traditional making, Cathy chose the Gustaf Chair and paired it with Ingrid, a textile with a rather wonderful story of its own.

FROM ARCHIVE TO CLOTH

The story of Ingrid begins with a chance discovery. Cathy came across a trove of historic textile designs and began thinking about how they might be brought back into use.

“I came across this wonderful collection of old designs and immediately felt they deserved another life. Ingrid had such a strong character. It felt very natural to bring her back into cloth and let the pattern be used again.”

INSIDE OUT

In Sweden, the distinction between indoors and out is perhaps a little less fixed. Changeable weather means spaces need to adapt. Furniture moves, cushions come and go, and textiles bring comfort, color and character wherever they are placed.

For Cathy, that makes the Gustaf as natural inside as it is in the garden. Dressed in Ingrid, it becomes softer and more domestic, a reminder that outdoor furniture need not belong exclusively outdoors.

“Even when the weather turns, we adapt. Cushions carried in and out, spaces made and remade around the conditions.”

A CHAIR FOR INGRID

“The Gustaf reminds me of my childhood. I grew up with this kind of Gustavian furniture in my parents’ house, so there was something immediately familiar about it. I think that’s why I was drawn to it.”

DISCOVER THE GUSTAF CHAIR

Material Matters will continue throughout the seasons, inviting designers and makers to choose a Munder Skiles piece and consider it through material, color and craft. Look out for the next chapter.

With thanks to IVO Textiles for opening their doors to us for filming.