In the Norwegian fjords, a new design company is bringing timeless furniture back to life with purpose and precision. Matre preserves local craftsmanship through contemporary production rooted in tradition. Their ambition? To create honest, lasting furniture made in Norway, designed to live for generations.
Photos by Stephanie Sikkes
Matre, founded in 2023 by Elizabeth Matre-Aas and Ole Kristian Bergsjø Aas, is a small, focused team, working closely with second-generation furniture maker Per Arne Sæter at the iconic Vatne factory. As Sæter nears retirement, the team is committed to preserving not only his expertise, but the cultural heritage embedded in every stitch and joint. It’s here, at Vatne, that Matre continues to produce legendary Norwegian designs by Sigurd Resell, Fredrik Kayser, and Knut Sæter—each piece a tribute to craft and continuity.
We ask the team a few questions about their relationship to leather and what good design really means.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
“Honest,” says the team at Matre. “With a strong sense of character. Our furniture is made to stand on its own or live beautifully alongside other pieces. It’s meant to endure—both in how it looks and how it functions.”
So what is good design, in your view?
“That’s a big question,” they admit. “But we believe good design responds to a real need in today’s world. It uses materials that are close to us, both in terms of geography and values, and it carries a clear responsibility for nature and the environment. The form should speak for itself, and the function should simply make sense.”
“There’s a specific knowledge required to upholster furniture in leather. It’s a vital part of the legacy from Vatne Møbler that we want to carry forward.”
What drew you to leather, and to Elmo specifically?
“We don’t like all leather,” they say. “But we like Elmo because of the responsibility they take in production. Elmo is a role model for manufacturers in general.”
At Matre, leather isn’t just a material—it’s a part of their cultural heritage. “There’s a specific knowledge required to upholster furniture in leather. It’s a vital part of the legacy from Vatne Møbler that we want to carry forward.”
How do you choose materials in general?
“Our selection process is intentional,” they explain. “We look for suppliers who take quality seriously, and the planet too. Locality matters. Responsibility matters. That’s why Elmo felt like an obvious choice.”
Is there something in particular you value about working with Elmo?
“Absolutely. Beyond their commitment to using the full hide and producing responsibly, the partnership itself means a lot. We get the support we need, when we need it. It’s a close collaboration that adds real value to our work—and we make sure to share that story with our customers.”
For Matre, working with Elmo is more than a material decision. It’s a connection between craft, culture and a shared vision of what good design should be.