Our latest Eldvarm Encounter takes us to Hudson, New York where we caught up with Matt Eastwood of Gestalt Haus to talk about all things design.
We learn more about Matt’s love of Scandinavian design, the breathing space he finds in simplicity and what the fire means to him. He tells us how he changed career as he turned 50 to pursue his passion, his dedication to the act of creativity and his commitment to empowering the next generation of creatives. Read on for a truly inspiring Eldvarm Encounter.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to be interested in design?
After completing a degree in Graphic Design, I spent most of my career as a creative director in advertising. But I always knew I wanted to eventually work somehow in interior design and architecture. Over the years, I designed and renovated a few houses, two of which ended up being featured in prominent interior magazines. So, when I hit age 50, I decided to take a sabbatical from advertising and start Gestalt Haus. I’m having so much fun I don’t think I’ll ever go back.
Where do you find inspiration? Is there a particular period in art or design that speaks to you?
I’m a huge fan of mid-century modern and Scandinavian design. And you can certainly see that influence in the products we sell at Gestalt Haus. But I also really love the simplicity of Japanese design and have found some beautiful and iconic pieces to include in the store.
We like to have books that inspire in our showroom, so we are always keen to hear what books others find inspiring. What is a book that you share with friends and family?
I love to read books about the creative process and what inspired it. I recently finished legendary music producer Rick Rubin’s new book, “The Creative Act”, and it was so inspiring in terms of creation and creativity.
Do you have a favourite book on design?
I have so many favourite design books that it would be impossible to list. But two of my favourite books that focus on creativity are Paul Arden’s “It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be.” It’s a wonderful book about making mistakes, pushing yourself, and embracing a creative life.
The other is a wonderful book called “A Curious Mind” by Brian Grazer, who I was lucky enough to interview on stage in Cannes a few years ago. Brian and I had both been running “Curiosity Sessions” for many, many years, so I jumped at the chance to interview him about some of the incredible people that he had met over the years – from Princess Diana to Michael Jackson.
Gestalt Haus seems to be devoted to a simple, elegant design. Do you find that this aesthetic language allows for moments of calm and reflection?
When I started Gestalt Haus it was based on the German word “Gestalt”, which loosely means that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. In terms of Gestalt Haus, it means that every piece is important and must contribute to the overall aesthetic. I wanted people to be able to buy anything in the store and know that it would go with everything in the store. One of my favorite quotes about design is from A.G. Franzoni, “Empty space does not mean emptiness. On the contrary, sometimes it represents a pause, an interruption, or time to reflect.”
That’s why I value simplicity in design so much, it gives you room to breathe. It gives you room to relax.
Where did you first discover the Eldvarm range? Could you tell us about which is your favourite of our products?
My husband and I bought a house upstate in New York about 15 years ago. And, of course, it has a beautiful fireplace.
We searched high and low for some beautiful fire tools that would match our aesthetic. And, believe me, it wasn’t easy. We eventually discovered Eldvarm and instantly knew that they were the most elegant fire tools on the market.
Of course, at the time, I never imagined that I would be selling the brand all these years later. When I opened Gestalt Haus, I knew Eldvarm had to be part of the collection.
We like to think of collectibles in the home as a way of connecting with moments and memories. We aim to produce objects that will act as reminders of these, markers of a moment in time. What is the most precious item in your home and what is the story behind it?
One of the most precious pieces we own is the painting our friends and family bought us as our wedding gift. By the time we were married, we had two homes and pretty much everything we could ever need in terms of homewares, so we chose a painting by the artist, RETNA, and asked everyone to contribute to the purchase of it. It’s such an important piece in our home and takes pride of place in our living room.
We think of the fireplace as the heart(h) of the home. Do you have any particular memories or associations with the fire from your childhood or more recently?
I grew up in a hot climate in Western Australia, so a fireplace was never really part of life there. But I think that made it extra special when I moved to New York and had the opportunity to sit by our fire as a snowstorm rages outside. It feels so cozy, and I never tire of it. I’m not sure my fellow New Yorkers love a snowstorm as much as I do, but it’s one of my favourite ways to spend an evening.
We believe that lighting the fire or a candle can really have the effect of lowering the sounds of life, taking a moment to slow it down. Is this something you relate to?
This is absolutely true. In fact, we recently released our own range of candles and one of them is called “Midnight Campfire”. The wording on the packaging reflects this idea perfectly – “From long, languorous summer nights, to huddling together to stay warm in winter, Midnight Campfire evokes childhood memories and encourages time spent together to create new ones. With top notes of Raspberry and Mandarin, mixed with Moss and Smoked Wood, Midnight Campfire invites you to swap stories and stay up far too late.” For me, a fire, and a fireplace, is very special.
Eldvarm has built itself around four core elements. These are Love, Beauty, Generosity, Vulnerability. Which of these elements speaks to you the most and why?
I’ve always tried to live a life of generosity, both professionally and personally. Professionally, I love giving back and mentoring young creative folks as they take their first steps towards a creative career. Almost 20 years ago, whilst still in advertising, I started a program called LaunchPad designed to help people get started as creatives. It’s one of my greatest joys watching the “Launchies” succeed in their careers. Many of them have gone on to be creative leaders in their own right and now pay it forward to the next generation of creative hopefuls. To me, that’s the power of generosity.
Next time you find yourself in New York, make sure to stop by Matt’s beautiful showroom for a moment of calm and inspiration for your home. Gestalt Haus is at 614 Warren St, Hudson, New York 12534