Building a Better Future

We were recently interviewed by Sonia Zhuravlyova from London's OnOffice magazine about our approach to sustainability, craft and building a better future through design. The discussion was so rich that we wanted to share the full interview with you here.

OnOffice: How do you design for longevity?

Grain: Our work has evolved significantly since we began. We started with practical solutions like recyclable, non-toxic shower curtains, then moved into human-centered projects, such as developing sustainable income opportunities for weaving co-operatives in Guatemala. Now we focus on designing heirloom-quality furniture and objects from natural materials and finishes that you can trust to be clean and safe for your home and family.

Our holistic approach begins with compelling design – objects of value that can last for generations – but we also consider how each product will meet the end of its life. Beauty is essential to us and we push what’s possible within the practice of an independent design studio and manufacturing shop. 

OnOffice: What materials serve you best?

Grain: Every piece begins with careful consideration of a material’s inherent properties – the particular grain of a type of wood or the soft resilience of cork. It’s both a privilege and a responsibility to respect and highlight these qualities. We limit ourselves to materials that are long-lasting, non-toxic, made using salvaged or recycled content, sourced from well-managed renewable resources, and are reusable or recyclable at the end of their life. We offer vegan options for all our designs. Take our rugs, for example. They’re made from braided wool, which is incredibly durable and naturally stain and fire-resistant. But for clients who prefer not to use animal products or have wool allergies, we offer OEKO-TEX certified Sunbrella, which is made from recycled content. 

OnOffice: Your work unites current manufacturing technologies and age-old craft techniques – can you explain more about this?

Grain: We’re deeply inspired by both approaches, and have made their union central to our design process. In late 2020, we integrated a robotic milling arm into our Bainbridge Island manufacturing shop to bring more production processes in-house. We believe this technology helps us to explore form in new ways while improving the quality of our woodwork – all while respecting the legacy of craft.

OnOffice: Do you think that sustainability starts with designers rather than manufacturers?

Grain: In the best scenarios, all stakeholders are involved from the beginning as part of the co-design process. When designers operate outside of this complex web, there aren’t as many meaningful opportunities to improve our relationship with the material world. 

OnOffice: It’s interesting that you are majority women-owned... 

Grain: We felt this was important, as women are underrepresented in both design and manufacturing business ownership and leadership. When we transitioned to an S Corp in 2019, I [Chelsea] became the majority owner. Since our founding, 66% of our full-time employees have identified as women or non-binary. 

OnOffice: What role can technology play in making your business more sustainable?

Grain: We’re excited about using technology to help aggregate salvaged materials for reuse. We already incorporate salvaged lumber into our wood products, but there could be many more opportunities for furniture fabricated from architectural salvage if there were better regional resources for consistent sourcing. I’ve read that up to a third of American landfill waste comes from construction and demolition debris. Wouldn’t it be incredible to have systems in place to give that material a second life?

OnOffice: What can the design industry be doing more of when it comes to sustainability and taking responsibility for its products?

Grain: There’s only so much that small studios like ours can do to create circular systems, but if we come together as a coalition and re-envision our relationship to material goods and consumption in general, we can get there. As designers, we have a unique opportunity to make this transition human-centereed, abundant and beautiful. We can show this shift not as a loss, but as a gain to our health, wellbeing and connection to one another.