Mary Ratcliffe’s Latest Collection Is a Joyful Ode To Craft
The designer walks us through the creative process behind Joue
Growing up, Canadian designer Mary Ratcliffe spent a lot of time in her dad’s workshop, which ultimately drove her interest in making things by hand. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve wanted to bring the creations in my mind to reality,” says Ratcliffe. “I think it’s something that I always inherently wanted to do. As soon as I had the opportunity, I took it.
Since opening her namesake studio in 2018, craftsmanship became the cornerstone of her work by prioritizing raw materials and producing furniture with attention to character and durability. In her latest collection called Joue, Ratcliffe has created a playful yet refined furniture catalogue inspired by the relationship between her son and his best friend. “I was captivated by their relationship and found myself reflecting on these joyous moments through sketching and writing about their encounters,” she says.
Here, we dive a little deeper into Ratcliffe’s handcrafted approach, her sources of inspiration, and the experiences that shaped her career as a furniture designer.
The Jour collection by Mary Ratcliffe.
What was your experience like growing up in your father’s studio?
When I was a little kid, my dad’s workshops in his basement and garage pretty much became my playroom. He always encouraged and fostered my interest in making things by giving me a hammer and nails to cobble pieces of wood together, and letting me hang out with him while he was building or fixing all kinds of things. I remember when I was about eight years old, he helped my brother and I make small paddle boats out of 2-by-4s and sheets of corrugated metal roofing.
Is there a memory that stands out the most or has inspired you to pursue this career?
I remember when I was in the seventh grade, my parents took us to New York City during March Break. On that trip, my mom and I went to all kinds of different stores. At the time, I was particularly captivated by jewellery, and I remember coming back from that trip with various ideas for jewellery designs. My journey through design led me to study architecture, but while interning for a studio in my third year of university, I realized that architecture wasn’t for me, though a lot of what I liked about it could be encompassed in furniture design. I still didn’t know that I wanted to have a furniture collection then, but this is when I started designing and making furniture pieces for myself.
The Jasper Console Table — Joue.
The Jasper Console Table — Joue.
The Jasper Console Table — Joue.
The Jasper Console Table — Joue.
What led you to produce handmade instead of factory-made furniture?
I’ve always loved the art of making. There is a special quality to a piece that has been produced by hand and not in an offshore factory. When I started out, I wanted to do everything myself, so the handmade element of the work was just a given. I never even considered finding a factory to make my designs.
Can you tell me about the inspiration for your latest collection?
Joue is inspired by my observations and experiences with my son and his best friend. They live on opposite sides of the continent, however, when they reunite, their time together is nothing short of magic. They always immediately engage in vigorous play, seemingly unaffected by the time and space between them. The physicality of their movements and games became the gestures and shapes that evolved into the refined pieces that make up this collection.
Joue — featuring the Lyndoe Bench.
The Lyndoe Bench — Joue.
The Lyndoe Bench — Joue.
The Lyndoe Bench — Joue.
What is it about play that you think is important when it comes to furniture?
I see furniture as an opportunity to play with your environment. The pieces in this collection take the essence of playfulness and distill it down to something appropriate for a refined interior; bringing this feeling of joy into a space without being too in-your-face.
What are the things you consider first when you start designing?
My inspiration always comes from my day-to-day experiences. When I’m starting out with a new piece or collection, I look at things in my life that are currently points of interest or joy. From there, I’ll start loose sketching mostly abstract forms and not trying to think too hard about designing something. Eventually, I’ll come across a shape, a collection of shapes, or a thought that I like and will build from there.
How do you choose your materials? Is there a specific one you gravitate towards?
I’ve always been drawn to working with wood because it’s what I grew up around and what always felt within reach to manipulate myself. I’ve been interested in other materials like stone, glass, leather, cast materials and various metals, but I always seem to come back to wood as the primary material.
The Viggo Side Table — Joue.
The Viggo Side Table — Joue.
The Viggo Side Table — Joue.
How do you want people to feel having one of these pieces in their home?
I hope that our pieces bring a handmade energy and a story into a person’s space. We’re a small team of six and I think there is something special about the fact that one or two people likely skewered your piece of furniture from rough lumber to a finished refined product. I also want people to feel proud knowing that in choosing to work with us, they support a tradition of craftsmanship that is becoming rarer and rarer in today’s world.
What’s next? Are there any exciting projects you’re looking forward to?
I just had my second son ten weeks ago. To be honest, the timing of this collection launch and his birth have been all rolled into each other, which has been fun, but also quite a challenge both personally and professionally. In the new year, I hope to explore some partnership opportunities and potentially expand our collection into a new category. For the rest of the year, I am reveling in the success of this collection, focusing on serving our clients as best as we can, and enjoying my young family.
