www.mordesign.com
Words: Joana Jervell
With a growing presence in both the national and international design markets, it was in conversation with its co-founder and creative director, Pedro Sottomayor, that we got to know MOR Design more closely. As quality as a key pillar, the result of close collaboration with manufacturers and artisans, the brand aims to bring functional and timeless pieces into our homes.
Proudly Portuguese, it frequently seeks out synergies with established names in the design universe (such as Álvaro Siza Vieira, Manuel Aires Mateus, Kengo Kuma and Keiji Takeuchi, among others) while also collaborating with promising young talent who bring fresh perspectives and beauty to its DNA.
Q: How did the idea to launch MOR Design come about?
A: MOR was born out of a working relationship and friendship with some of my clients. After many joint projects in other areas of design, where I developed the interiors of their Sotheby’s International Realty stores, we ended up creating some furniture pieces that we all liked a lot. It was in this context that we decided to create a brand to produce them for others, with the initial condition of involving many other designers, architects and artists in the project.
Q: What would you say is the brand’s main mission?
A: The inspiration from the Sotheby’s project was timelessness — rooted in the auction house that deals in pieces that truly stand the test of time — and that same principle is reflected in the pieces and in MOR’s mission. We value simplicity in design and quality: two key components in MOR’s ethos that translate into pieces able to withstand the passage of time and fleeting trends, without being discarded. This, to us, is true sustainability, and the brand was conceived for those who are fully aware of this approach.
Q: Your pieces evoke architectural element and pure lines. What role does architecture play as a source of inspiration?
A: Architecture is the space in which furniture exists, and so it is always an important source of inspiration for all furniture, object, and lighting designers.
The truth is that simple pieces adapt to almost all types of architecture and are accessible to a wider audience, covering a range of tastes. That is the main reason behind MOR’s simple, pure lines.
Q: How complete is your product range?
A: Our offer covers practically the entire home, and what little we do not yet cover will soon be worked on. We offer furniture, objects, lighting, and even some special art pieces. In every category, these are unique products, the result of the skill and expertise of those who produce them.
Q: Which materials do you favour most?
A: Our preferred material is wood, due to its remarkable ability to bring nature indoors in a versatile, useful and cosy way. But we work with all materials, including metal, glass, ceramics, stone, wicker, cork,textiles and more.
Q: When it comes to your many creative collaborations, what is your philosophy in selecting artists?
A: The choice of designers, architects, or artists always relates to the new projects we want to develop, based on the deeper knowledge the invitee might have of that particular type of product, art, or technique. The choices always rest on the principles of simplicity, quality of work and sustainability.
Q: What is the main purpose of these synergies?
A: These synergies are always positive, allowing for greater diversity within the same theme of simplicity — something that is much needed. We look to invite men and women from all over the world, and of all ages, which enriches both the pieces and the relationships between them.
Q: What do you value most in the production process?
A: We value craftsmanship across various disciplines, the attention to detail and the quality of the finish — all of which require a very close relationship between the designer and the artisan. This is also important in promoting and sustaining these different arts, which play a key role in shaping our experience and identity.
Q: If you had to single out one piece, which would it be?
A: It’s hard to single out any one piece, as they are all important, but I can more easily speak about one of my own. I really like the DOME — a large Estremoz marble lamp. With this noble material, we have managed to shape a lighting piece that also dignifies a precious material formed over millennia. Each DOME is visually different, and its main design is actually nature’s own creation.
Q: Where can people buy MOR products?
A: Over the past five years, our main point of sale has been the online shop. Since 2024, we have become available in shops across the country, and we’ve opened retail outlets in Spain, France, the UK, Belgium, Romania, Hungary, Canada, and the US.
Q: What are MOR’s plans for the coming years?
A: The goal is to continue developing new, interesting and inspiring products, involving more and more creatives, and reach as many people around the world as possible.
