Materials, Piece by Piece
Choosing materials for your home is one of the things we find most fun about design. Gone are the days when every surface had to match, same finish, same tone, top to bottom. Mixing materials is what gives a space the character we crave. That work doesn't stop at the build either. It carries into the room itself, through both hard and soft furnishings, wood next to wool, stone next to steel.
We try to carry a variety of goods made from different materials to give you options when picking object for your space.
Wood
We have a pet peeve. It's that very often Scandinavian/Nordic design is portrayed as an all beige box with light wood. While that might be true for some spaces, there is so much more. Especially when it comes to wood finishes. Oak, ash, walnut, teak are all beautiful materials and you can find them in a large range of finishes from dark moody stains to white soap treatments. We love a good mixed wood finish in a space and instead of trying to match everything. Pay attention to how the tones and grains work along side each other instead.
Living with wood also means giving up a bit of control. Solid wood ages well but you learn to live with the evidence of use: scratches, dents, and dings become part of its story. There will be upkeep required. Wood wants oiling, occasional refinishing, and protection from direct sun and standing water. It's a material for people who don't mind wear and a little yearly upkeep in exchange for a piece that can be passed down.
Textiles
Wool is one of the most forgiving textiles you can own. It resists staining because the fiber repels liquid before it soaks in, it's naturally flame resistant, and it holds its shape for years. Upkeep is minimal: a shake out, an occasional brush, dry cleaning if something serious happens.
Velvet has a reputation for being impractical, but modern performance velvets hold up much better than people expect. A good velvet resists crushing and hides everyday wear well, since the pile spreads light out and small marks don't stand out as much. It does need a bit more care around direct sun, which can fade the color over time, and an occasional brush keeps the nap even.
Linen and cotton blends suit pieces that want to feel lighter and more relaxed. They breathe well, which makes them a natural fit for warmer rooms, and they soften with each wash while holding their comfort for years. They wrinkle and show wear faster than wool or velvet, so they suit a relaxed, lived-in room best.
Synthetic and blended fabrics have their own real advantages. A poly-blend or performance fabric resists fading, stains, and moisture far better than most natural fibers, which makes it a smart pick for high-traffic rooms, homes with kids or pets, or near direct sunlight. A lot of performance blends feel just as soft as natural fabric while holding up to daily life. Many companies creating these new versions of fabrics have sustainability stories and use recycle materials to create their fibers.
Plastic, Made With Intention
Plastic has a place in Scandinavian design history. Verner Panton's Panton Chair, released in 1967, was the first chair made from a single molded piece, and it made shapes possible that wood and upholstery couldn't achieve. You see that same approach today in the recycled and bio-based plastics used across several of our brands, in chair shells and outdoor pieces built to handle sun, rain, and years of daily use without cracking or fading.
Plastic in good design isn't a shortcut. It's the right material for a specific job: forms that need to be lightweight, designs that are too unconventional for other materials, items that need to be weatherproof, colorfast, and easy to clean. Many customers look for items that are high style with minimal maintenance and the new plastics are a great answer.
Stone, Tile, and Concrete
Stone and stone-like materials can change how a piece feels in a room. Marble, travertine, and soapstone are heavy and cool to the touch, and that's part of why they've been used for tabletops and bases for centuries, in Scandinavian design and beyond.
Each stone behaves differently. Marble is porous and will stain from wine, oil, or citrus if left too long, so it needs a sealant and a quick wipe after spills. Soapstone is naturally non-porous, so spills sit on the surface instead of soaking in, and it develops a soft patina over years that many people like better than a pristine finish. Travertine is actually the most porous of the three and needs prompt attention to spills, though its warm, textured look is worth that extra care to a lot of people.
Tile and concrete are practical alternatives to natural stone. Tile handles water and heavy use easily, which makes it a natural fit for kitchen and entry pieces. Concrete and concrete-composite surfaces bring a similar heavy, grounded feel at a lower cost and with less worry about staining. All of them can last generations without wearing out structurally.
Metals
Steel, aluminum, and brass show up constantly in Scandinavian design, as legs, frames, and hardware in addition to the whole piece. Metals can be used raw so that they will patina over time, or they can be coated. Powder-coating is the finish that holds up the best. It's better than paint, resists chipping and corrosion, and comes in the matte colors common in contemporary Nordic furniture.
Metal needs almost nothing from you. Wipe it down, keep it dry, and it'll last decades. Metal finishes are another area where the old rules are out the window. Mix metals for a soulful storied interior. We love a combo of metals left to patina with high polished and powder-coated all in one space.
Making a Selection
The right material is the one that matches how a piece will be used with the look you are after. This is also where our showroom does something the website can't. Many of our pieces can be customized in wood tones, textile colors, or upholstery types beyond what's shown online.
Our already large catalog would be enormous if we tried to list every possible customization possibility. We keep a material library in the studio side of our showroom, so if you're trying to picture a finish before you commit, come sit down with us. We can bring out samples, talk over your options and even pull together a mood board for you. It's a much easier conversation in person, with the materials in your hands.
If you are already working with a designer, bring them in. Trade partners are welcome. And if you don't have a designer yet, our team is happy to be that guide, whether you're picking one piece or working through a full room.
