MAMBO FACTORY stands at the intersection of heritage and modernity, creating furniture that serves its purpose and shapes how we interact with our environments. Today, we explore the concept of ‘Innovating Tradition’ as we dive into MAMBO FACTORY’s vision for timeless, impactful furniture design.

In this exclusive interview, we explore MAMBO FACTORY's design philosophy with Cláudia Melo, creative director and co-founder (with Cristina Torres and Leonor Ferreira).

Collaboration, craftsmanship, and innovation create pieces that elevate everyday living. From their roots in Portuguese craftsmanship to their forward-thinking vision, MAMBO FACTORY’s designs continue to push boundaries, seamlessly blending traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities.

Who are you as a furniture designer, and how do you see furniture design's role in people’s lives?

We design as a team, valuing collaboration over individual vision. Being Portuguese and growing up in a place deeply rooted in beauty, craftsmanship, and material knowledge has shaped our approach to design. These traditions are an essential part of our foundation, but they are also the future that inspires us. Innovation and the evolving needs of modern living are our creative process drivers.

For us, furniture is more than just an object it is an integral part of how we experience and interact with our environment. As furniture designers, we see our work as a way to shape people’s lifestyles, emotions, and spaces.

Every piece we create enhances comfort, expresses personality, and fosters meaningful connections. We believe in blending heritage with forward-thinking design to craft furniture that stands the test of time and transforms how people live.

What is daring and elegant furniture design?

Daring and elegant furniture design fuses heritage and innovation, where craftsmanship meets contemporary vision. It is about creating bold yet refined pieces that shape meaningful spaces. Our design balances tradition and future-thinking, crafting timeless furniture that transforms how people live.

What is the most challenging aspect of handmade furniture?

The most challenging aspect of handmade furniture is balancing craftsmanship with consistency and scalability while preserving the uniqueness of each piece. Ensuring high-quality materials, precision, and durability requires skilled artisans and time-intensive processes. Additionally, adapting traditional techniques to modern design demands and sustainability standards adds complexity to the craft.

How do you celebrate the luxury of living through furniture design? 

That is such a good question. Celebration is a recurring theme for us, and last year, we launched our first outdoor collection. The theme was "Celebrate the Outdoors." Every piece was designed for communal use—beautiful, crafted to perfection, yet customisable with curated colours and selected materials. We believe in creating elegant and practical furniture, enhancing everyday living with ease and purpose.

Is it important to celebrate furniture's legacy and stories?

It is absolutely important to celebrate furniture’s legacy by honouring craftsmanship while embracing innovation. We preserve traditions through skilled artisanship and quality materials while reinterpreting them for modern living.

How do you see replication and counterfeits in furniture design?

Morally, we find it appalling. It’s not just a huge disrespect to designers who invest time in creating something new and forward-thinking but also to the craft itself. Counterfeit pieces cut costs at the expense of quality, leading to disposable furniture that adds to environmental waste. Sadly, it often also means unfair wages and poor working conditions for those producing them. Businesswise, it’s not our main concern—our clients value quality and appreciate made-to-order, customisable pieces, and return to us because they recognise the craftsmanship and lasting value in what we create.

Is the attention to craftsmanship and details a way to say you care about your clients?

Of course. Attention to craftsmanship, details, and materials is our way of showing we care by creating beautiful and lasting pieces, tailored to each client’s needs and designed to enhance their everyday living.

What are the prerequisites of a daring and elegant furniture piece?

A daring and elegant furniture piece must push boundaries while maintaining balance, offer uniqueness without sacrificing practicality, and be crafted to enhance space and experience.

How do you balance contemporary design with traditional techniques?

We balance contemporary design with traditional techniques by innovating within the foundation of craftsmanship, using time-honoured methods to create modern pieces that respect heritage while meeting today’s needs.

How do you work trends in your creative process? 

We avoid using trends in the design itself, focusing instead on materials. A piece can be made with a trendy material or one we’ve used forever, the same applies to fabrics. Many of our designs have been in the collection for over 10 years and remain timeless.

How do you balance your creativity with your client’s needs and tastes?

In the end, our clients’ needs guide what we create. We learn from their reactions to past pieces and let our creativity shape the rest. With customisable colours and materials, our designs offer flexibility, allowing clients to tailor each piece to their vision.

What was your biggest career life lesson?

It may be cliché, but following your instinct is fundamental. When something feels off, it’s usually for a reason—trust it and make the necessary changes.

Can furniture be art?

I believe furniture can be art, and we explored that with our brand, Dooq. To reach that status, there must be intention beyond what sells—a pursuit of the new, the unseen, and the unexplored, where design becomes more than function and transforms into expression.

Do you have the responsibility to push boundaries as a furniture designer? 

I believe we have a responsibility to push boundaries; otherwise, we would only follow paths already taken. However, reflecting the world around us is not our focus; we create with intention, innovation, and a vision that goes beyond trends or external influences.

Conclusion

MAMBO FACTORY’s commitment to redefining the role of furniture in people’s lives is evident in its approach to design—one that values both tradition and innovation, beauty and functionality. Their focus on craftsmanship and the seamless integration of modern living needs ensures that their pieces are not just furniture but lasting expressions of art. 

MAMBO FACTORY creates timeless, daring, elegant pieces that enrich spaces and homes.