Interiors

Carl Hansen + Søn collaborate with Mourne Textiles

London craft week (May 2016) presented us with a vast array of exhibitions, events and shows. One VERY exciting event was hosted at the Carl Hansen+Søn showroom where Mourne textiles were weaving and upholstering a select number of chairs in the Carl Hansen range. A handloom brought all the way from Ireland was reassembled from shipping and busy weaving throughout the craft week. This loom is incredibly old and it’s still used as a key piece of machinery for Mourne’s textile production today  (I heard that this was the very one used to make Robin Day upholstery back in 50’s and 60’s).

The collaboration with Mourne Textiles and Carl Hansen + Søn celebrates both family owned companies in their passion for craftsmanship, design, creativity and integrity to each handmade item.

Mourne Textiles

Mourne Textiles was created by the Norwegian Grandmother of the family, Gerd Bergersen. Her talents began studying design and hand-weaving at the Home Industries School for Women in Oslo, then travelling to the UK working as a designer for Welsh woollen mills. Gerd moved back to Norway in 1937 where she became designer to one of the largest textile mills in Norway and Advisor to the Norwegian Home Industries.

In brief, Gerd married an Englishman one year before the war, they travelled together to the far east and studied many different weaving techniques. Being commissioned to create 22 hand woven rugs for the Palace of the Maharajah of Gwalior. An accident of war resulted in Gerd settling in the foot hills of the Mourne mountains, Ireland, where she then set up Mourne Textiles.

Mourne Textiles

Importing looms and machinery from Norway and Gerd’s vast experience at a young age, she was set to have a company with great success, creating textiles for Eames, Robin Day and Conran, just to name a few.

With daughter Karen Hay-Edie and grandson Mario now at the helm, they aim to preserve Gerd’s legacy and expertise, continuing to keep Mourne textiles alive while keeping the traditional values.

Mourne Textiles weaving at the Carl Hansen + Søn showroom

(Below) The Colonial Chair, designed by Ole Wanscher, 1949, using Mourne Mist fabric in Donegal Grey.

Carl Hansen, Colonial chair in Mourne textile upholstery

(Below) The Colonial daybed cushion, designed by Ole Wanscher, 1950, using  Mourne Mist fabric in Donegal Grey. Rug and cushions from Mourne Textiles.

Carl Hansen day bed upholstered in Mourne textiles

This event highlights the craftsmanship, quality and detail with each item made, there is beauty within each piece and an evident passion for craftsmanship and design.

Carl Hansen + Søn furniture can be specified with almost any upholstery fabric including from Mourne Textiles.

H x

Visit Carl Hansen +Søn and Mourne Textiles for further information

* All photography © Hannah Trickett

 

14 Comments

  • Reply Ann B. May 11, 2016 at 12:30 am

    These are beautiful fabrics. Thank you for posting such an interesting background story.

    • Reply Hannah May 11, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      it’s such a great story and they’re so nice too 🙂

  • Reply Tiff @Curate & Display May 11, 2016 at 10:40 am

    Utterly beautiful, so pleased you got to see Mourne, they are my favourites 🙂

    • Reply Hannah May 11, 2016 at 2:19 pm

      I didn’t know much of them before I visited Carl Hansen, was quite the treat 🙂

  • Reply june Olsen May 11, 2016 at 11:02 am

    Wow! what a collaboration! I have long been a BIG fan of Carl Hansen (love family businesses with a solid tradition of both craftmanship and design)….I’d never heard of Mourne textiles before, but loved hearing the history of Gerd Bergersen, and seeing those old Norwegian looms still getting used in Ireland! Great post

    • Reply Hannah May 11, 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Thanks June! Yes I agree the Carl Hansen products are SO nice, great to discover a textile company with Norwegian history, I wasn’t aware until Carl Hansen collaborated, they’re amazing!

  • Reply Katy at Apartment Apothecary May 11, 2016 at 2:02 pm

    Completely beautiful! Such a brilliant post x

    • Reply Hannah May 11, 2016 at 2:23 pm

      Thanks Katy! I was in awe 🙂

  • Reply Old Fashioned Susie May 11, 2016 at 2:10 pm

    Gosh these are beautiful and your photography is spot on!

    • Reply Hannah May 11, 2016 at 2:24 pm

      Thanks Susie, working on my photography, getting there. I think the stunning location and textiles helped a little 😉

  • Reply Kate May 11, 2016 at 5:40 pm

    Lovely post Hannah, and what beautiful fabrics – sad to have missed this!

  • Reply Cate May 11, 2016 at 11:01 pm

    I missed this event, I was supposed to go, wish I had now! I LOVE that colonial chair! x

  • Reply Carole May 11, 2016 at 11:10 pm

    So beautiful. That rug hanging on that brick wall *swoon* Family heirlooms in the making.

  • Reply Abi | These Four Walls blog May 18, 2016 at 9:54 am

    What beautiful textiles and photos! Sounds like a wonderful event x

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