INTRODUCING MOTARASU

OUR LATEST BRAND FROM DENMARK

We are very pleased to represent & distribute Motarasu (Denmark) in North America, launching May 1st, 2024

Studio Nordhaven exclusively distributes leading Scandinavian brands, including Stelton, Gejst, Rig-Tig, 101 Copenhagen, Sera Helsinki, Nordstjerne and now Motarasu in the USA and Canada.

ABOUT THE BRAND

VISION

Motarasu gathers Japanese and Danish designers in one brand, thereby emphasizing the common design styles and traditions of the two cultures. Both nations have long and proud design traditions and much in common when it comes to designing and functional furniture. Motarasu lives by the philosophy that we should surround ourselves with beautiful, quality furniture and interior that is specially selected to bring joy.

THE STORY

Motarasu was founded in Denmark in 2019 by Mikkel Zebitz. As many Danish designers before him, Mikkel was inspired by the distinct aesthetic of Japanese design. But the difference is where classic Danish design icons as well as contemporary designers to wide extent have let Japan act as an inspiration, Mikkel wanted to change this - "motarasu" means "to change" in Japanese - by uniting the designers of the two nations to create contemporary design together.

Art and nature are the key elements in all of our designs and the end result are poetic, tactile and functional objects. Motarasu works of its showroom in Frederiksgade, Copenhagen with private clients, architects, galleries, and high-end retailers internationally.

"At MOTARASU, we live by the philosophy that we should surround ourselves with beautiful, quality furniture and interior that is specially selected to bring joy."

JAPANDI

COMBINING JAPANESE & DANISH DESIGN

Danish design has been highly influenced by Japanese design for over 150 years, since 1853 when Japan opened its borders towards the rest of the world after centuries of being closed. The design styles of the two countries are very similar, both focusing on simplicity, premium materials and craftsmanship.

JAPANESE DESIGN - Much like Nordic design traditions, Japanese design is often associated with minimalism. Japanese design seeks to eliminate unnecessary decorations and let the material and function of the furniture speak for itself. Ties to the past are very visible in contemporary Japanese design, with a profound respect for old traditions, craftsmanship and ancient techniques. Focus of the design process is on simplicity and function. A piece of furniture should be as beautiful seen from the back as from the front. The natural surfaces of the materials are often the only décor on a design object. This simplistic approach derives from the idea that beauty is found in simple things, in less rather than more.

DANISH DESIGN - Less is definitely also more when it comes to Danish design. Clean lines and a love for materials are at the heart of Danish design. A product should first serve a purpose and aim to help solve a problem: form follows function. Factors such as a scarcity of raw material have led to a great respect for materials and a simplistic approach to design in Denmark as well as Japan. This means that any excess details are often eliminated in Danish design, letting the shapes and material of the product be the decoration in itself. The raw material stands out in its own right, and often the natural surface of a material such as the lines of the wood is emphasized as a key design element of the product.