Quark goes to meet TIPTOE! TIPTOE is this iconic brand of decoration in France. A company that has changed our relationship to modularity. TIPTOE places environmental responsibility at the heart of its approach. Discover TIPTOE's vision in sustainable furniture.
How did Matthieu and Vincent meet and how did they enter the world of sustainable furniture?
TIPTOE was founded in 2015 by Matthieu Bourgeaux and Vincent Quesada . Matthieu comes from a family of entrepreneurs in the Chamonix valley in Haute-Savoie. They have a metal turning company that still manufactures essential parts for TIPTOE products. There is a real family history that continues today.
Vincent very quickly joined Matthieu on the project. They met on the school benches at EM Lyon. He had a background in investment banking and has always had an attraction for photos, all things aesthetic, especially art.
What do you produce in sustainable furniture?
TIPTOE is a sustainable furniture brand, 100% made in Europe. Our mission is to make sustainable furniture that is well thought out, well produced and built to last. We revisit all the house's iconic objects with a new vision so that they both last a very long time and are made from well-sourced and recycled materials when possible.
We started with a modular table leg with a clamp system that made it possible to create a table very quickly with any type of top. Then it evolved into a more global furniture brand. In particular, we have an SSD chair: Simple Solid and Durable, stools, shelves, a new table and a sofa.
Can you describe your process for creating sustainable furniture?
We focus on design. We believe that for an object to be sustainable, it must be well thought out at each stage of the value chain. It starts with our product team doing a lot of research and then design, materials and manufacturing.
The creation process lasts between 6 months and a year and a half. Each product is truly accomplished in terms of design and choice of materials. We work with companies only in Europe for the manufacture of our objects.
The product team will then take over to create the storytelling around the product launch. They explain its creation, the inspirations, and organize photo shoots to highlight the object and promote it on our site, social networks and the press.
Where are your materials located in Europe?
It all depends on the type of material we need. We really go where there is the best know-how. We also go to Belgium or France for wood and to Eastern Europe (Bulgaria, Romania) for steel. Some of the parts of our objects come from the family factory in Matthieu, which specializes in metal turning.
Do you think TIPTOE will have to reinvent itself, especially with the pandemic we are going through?
The pandemic has reinforced our approach. People are looking for a lifestyle with more meaning and a more in-depth reflection on their consumption. This has always been at the heart of TIPTOE's DNA. Offering sustainable furniture is still quite rare in the sector. We are really going in the direction of the awareness that there has been during the pandemic. Confined people wanted to create a pleasant space to live with objects that they really like.
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In your opinion, do the decoration and therefore the furniture have an impact on our moods and our well-being?
Yes totally. A well-appointed room contributes to our well-being. I think you have to surround yourself with objects that you sincerely love and that you have chosen. TIPTOE products will be able to follow people all their lives.
Can you explain your eco-responsible approach?
This approach has been at the heart of the brand project from the start. We have established 5 principles for sustainable design that will guide the entire creation of our objects:
- Create simple objects : Here, it is the function that takes precedence.
- Do a lot with little : Create very clear objects in their lines and that we will be able to deconstruct or recycle.
- Use the right materials : Steel, which is one of our main materials, is the most recycled material in the world. We are increasingly using recycled plastic for our trays or for the SSDR chair. We are always trying to innovate in the use of materials and to find ever more sustainable materials.
- Create to last : Our objects must be solid to accompany people throughout their lives.
- Thinking about deconstruction : Having a vision of the object throughout its life cycle. Our chair for example is in five parts and if it is damaged or worn there is no need to throw it away you can exchange a part. We can therefore also recycle each part of the object separately.
What is your cult object?
Our iconic object is the first of TIPTOE: the table leg. It allows either with trays that we already have or with our trays to create a unique table. It is offered in many colors. With the 4 legs you can make a small console and if you move one day you can reuse them to make a dining room. There really is this idea of lifelong support. It has a very identifiable look and it has remained the brand's flagship object since the beginning. We are very proud of it.
Finally, what do you think of the Pegboard and the modular design? Should we prefer a single function object? Or does the multifunction provide solutions in line with our lifestyles?
We like that the objects are multifunctional. This is TIPTOE's DNA. It is also the DNA of the table leg that we have created. The function has a very important place in the TIPTOE objects so if it can be multiple it is even better. We see it for example with our LOU stool that our community loves. It is above all a seat but customers also use it as a decorative object.
Do not hesitate to consult our last article: Studio Ammo
Interview by Clara Didier
Formatting by Coralie Mottu
