At Least I’m Not Boring!
This seems to be the motto of Gustaf Westman. Trained as an architect at Chalmers University in Gothenburg, Gustaf is bringing a whole new definition of Scandinavian design by creating fresh and playful pieces that embody the lifestyle of a younger generation.
Clearly inspired by the Memphis Group from the 80s, which at the time was reacting to the austerity of modernism through bold colors, unconventional materials and canny patterns. Gustaf is contributing to a new aesthetic fighting the sleek, “tasteful” furniture that all looks the same.
His most popular piece, the Curvy Mirror, has been spotted all around Instagram - from showrooms, influencers’ living rooms to interior designers’ homes. Found in practically every color of the rainbow, Gustaf’s mirror, like the rest of his collection, is bringing a joyful, refreshing vibe into our spaces.
In an interview, Gustaf tells us about his personality, design process, and what he thinks the design industry should look like in the future!
Your pieces are described as quirky, cool, playful, and bold. Does the style of your furniture say anything about your personality?
“I think it does” he says laughing. “I always describe myself as quirky and playful! I am not the artsy, lonely designer. I am more of the social type.”
There is a clear reference to the 60s, 70s, and 80s on your pieces, what attracts you to those particular decades?
The furniture from that period seems to be less anxious and trend sensitive. It seems bolder. Designers from those decades were not afraid to try new things and they appreciated design on another level. Right now, everything seems to follow a template and a given color scale, especially here in Scandinavia! Dull, monotonous, and super boring.
Your main source of inspiration is the Memphis Group. If you were to cover a space in your own house with a Memphis-inspired wallpaper, what colors, textures, and patterns would you go for?
My answer for this might be boring but the truth is I have no idea. I think it is always important to give the design process time. If you really wanted to know, I’d have to do sketches for weeks. But…if I had to guess it would definitely be something colorful.
You started as an architect but moved on to furniture design and have mentioned you’d like to apply some of your design expertise to fashion. What brands or designers are you drawn to? At the moment I would say I am most inspired by Loewe and everything that Jonathan Anderson does, but also many others like Jacquemus and Cecilie Bahnsen.
From your background in architecture, tell us your 5 favorite constructions/buildings ever.
Hard to say my favorites but five buildings that I really like and come to mind right now are The Art Museum in Bregenz, Stockholm’s Public Library, Farnsworth House, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and the Aalto House.
Your curvy mirror broke the internet, we’d love to get exclusive insights on the projects you will be working on in the future, tell us about any ideas you’d love to develop or projects already in the works you feel passionate about.
Right now I’m very interested in working with new materials, just started a new project including reused plastic. I will also try to evolve my aesthetics. — I am working on a new collection and have some fun special items coming soon. I am also working on a bigger project after the summer, but can’t really say much about them now!
Finally, we have to ask about the current situation… We’ve been spending so much time in our houses, we are redecorating, deep cleaning and looking for the perfect furniture. What do you think the “new world” will look like for furniture designers?
not that worried about it, actually. I think that everything is paused but it feels like everyone is gaining energy that will be used to create an even more fun period of time. I already feel people want a fresh start and it seems they are more willing to discover new things. As a new designer. that’s great for me, but I also think that when this is all over there will be a new energy in the world.
