Tolstrup developed her line of pallet furniture while participating in TEN, a dialogue between ten London based designers that was set up with the intention of responding to sustainability issues in design. The result was the Pallet Project, which initially consisted of the Low Pallet chair, the High Pallet chair in different sizes, a stool and a floor lamp. Over the years, Tolstrup also created a hanging light and a block stool. As Tolstrup explained to us in an email, “The Pallet Project is a sustainable, accessible and an agent for social change. The furniture is made from disused pallets – a source of cheap, often wasted, wood. It takes self-assembly to a new level of affordability; the raw materials are easy to find and the instructions simple to follow. Since its inception the project has unfolded in many unexpected ways.”
Her designs were so popular that Tolstrup decided to share the plans rather than just sell her own furniture, so now she offers the design tutorials for the Pallet Chair Lo, the Pallet Chair Hi and the Floor Lamp. Nina says, “This was in the spirit of the project taken to a global level: designing for the global market but with materials sourced locally.” Over time buyers of her plans have sent her pictures of their creations, some of which she shares on the Studiomama website. The Pallet Project has also encouraged her to incorporate sustainability, recycled materials and a waste-minimizing ethos throughout the rest of her work.
Tolstrup has also donated the rights to manufacture the chair to non-profit org Amistad o Nada in Buenos Aires. The furniture made by Amistad o Nada is now sold in galleries and design shops in Buenos Aires, and the money raised from the sales also fund better machinery for the furniture production. Help support this great designer’s work by purchasing the design plans for one of her chairs.
Images ©Nina Tolstrup/Studiomama
