A Fine Tuning — Morgen and Sandford

Through a focus on simplicity and craft, the launch of Morgen and Sandford sees two aligned and passionate creators convene. Combining design by Nick McDonald of Made by Morgen and the creation capabilities of Charles Sandford, the range is a testament to refined, locally-made and sustainably-sourced furniture intended to outlive its makers.

Meeting through the industry some years ago, both Nick and Charlie align on many levels. Their shared love of making, using their hands for creating and the tactile outcome of their efforts runs as a common vein through each of their work. After a handshake agreement a few years ago, the duo have been fine tuning their collection, which is now ready to share with the world. We both just want to make quality furniture that is timeless and beautiful,” says Nick, “using sustainable principles and methodologies that achieve economies of scale – allowing a larger audience to own one of our Morgen and Sandford pieces.” Adds Charlie, “we wanted to fill a gap, where we make locally-made furniture affordable and attainable.”

After a handshake agreement a few years ago, the duo have been fine tuning their collection, which is now ready to share with the world.

Charlie makes custom pieces and built-in cabinetry for top designers and architects, but his equipment is capable of much larger scale production. The Morgen and Sandford collaboration allows the exploitation of this potential. The early conversations between the two confirmed their respective strengths would bolster the other. “After building a successful business of my own, I wanted to expand on that, refining and homing in on my strengths as a designer, and that’s where the opportunity came up,” says Nick. Thus, the bringing together of design, a handmade approach and commercially replicable capabilities was the ideal pairing.

Morgen and Sandford is launching with a series of nine pieces, ranging from a sideboard, dining table, bench seat, coffee and bedside tables and a stool. The series is inspired by midcentury experimentation with the capabilities of industry and a pared-back restraint that reflects the shared interests and approaches of its designer and maker. “Our relationship started and grew organically,” reflects Nick, “as we’re both so passionate about crafting pieces that will last a lifetime. We started with prototyping both the bedside and the coffee table, and the rest of the collection evolved from there.” All sharing a similar silhouette of organic and soft edges, the pieces combine clean lines and a simplicity that is the result of cleverly integrated joint work.

The series is inspired by midcentury experimentation with the capabilities of industry and a pared-back restraint that reflects the shared interests and approaches of its designer and maker.

The increased focus on local designers and makers over the past couple of years has opened incredible opportunity, and Morgen and Sandford want to take advantage of that growing client base. Reducing the overall build time also allowed for both Nick and Charlie to scale up production. “Where traditionally a piece would take an independent maker 14 weeks to make, with Charlie’s manufacturing mechanisms, we are able to achieve the same result within around six to eight weeks,” Nick explains.

Together with industrial designer Marinos Drakopoulos, Morgen and Sandford plans to test and explore ideas and efficiencies, leaning on Marinos’s experience and design skill and knowledge to optimise output. With the ultimate goal remaining to grow and be consistent in their dedication to their respective crafts, Morgen and Sanford is a partnership born from an understanding that the two can work better together than alone. “Together,” Charlie reflects, “we’re bringing what we know and what we do best to make a whole.”