
With an inherent knack for building, Mischa Couvrette developed his appreciation for design while spending time with a group of budding architects as he worked towards his bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences at Dalhousie. Embracing his newly discovered passion, Couvrette began by crafting furniture on the East Coast before eventually making his way to Toronto via a yearlong sail to Guatemala on a boat he overhauled with a friend. His designs display an unwavering devotion to honest materials – a reflection of his straight-shooting nature – and his stewardship of the hollis+morris brand is a testament to his extraordinary ambition.
As a kid, what did you answer when asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
I wanted to be an adventurer; I had a mural that spanned a whole wall in my bedroom. When I was 5, I would stay up late pretending my bed was a boat and I would sail around with all my friends (stuffed animals). My mom would have to come by several times each night and beg me to end the journey for the evening. I grew up in a French speaking house, so the adventures of Tintin were a nightly inspiration.
How would you describe your design philosophy?
Functional, beautiful, timeless – in that order
Give us some context about where you live: How long you’ve been there and how does it influence your work?
I live in a heavily wooded ravine area in the West End of Toronto, the area has been heavily sculpted by the Humber River. This year I completed a ground up construction with my good friend and architect Jonathan Mandeville of Passage Studio. We collaborated on the full project which resulted in the design of 12 new pieces that have ultimately become production pieces for hollis+morris.
Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to be a designer? If so, what was it?
I realized I wanted to be a designer after restoring a rickety, old, 38ft steel sailboat with a few friends that we ultimately ended up sailing to Guatemala after university ended. When I arrived home after this sailing adventure (my childhood bedtime dream) I started working as a project manager for a construction company. The process was so long & arduous and lacked the freedom I was used to, so I started designing and building furniture in my dad’s converted two car garage. Producing new ideas and smashing them together was addictive and I fell in love immediately. Now, I’m living my dream job. I love designing pieces, solving challenging problems, finding the right balance and proportions in a piece. My job has evolved as the business has grown, I thoroughly enjoy growing a business and all of the trials & tribulations that come along with it.
Which of your projects or products are you most proud of? Why?
I’m most proud of our newest collections. I was never formally design trained; in fact, I have a degree instead in Environmental Sciences and Marine Biology. I really feel over the last few years I have finally hit my stride in design. The new products are departures from the materials I originally started the brand with but still feel aesthetically connected. I enjoy distilling an idea down to its simplest form, taking something that inspires me from nature and abstracting it. I think a particularly good example of this, and my favorite of the moment, would be the Oyster Sconce. Knowing what went into the development of the internal technology and its interaction with the substantial frosted acrylic lens, I am proud of how simple and understated it looks from the outside. I consider it a job well-done as a designer when I am able to deliver a functional yet beautiful design and that continues to feed my confidence to keep exploring.
What is the most pressing issue in the design world today?
I think the most pressing issue in design is waste. This is where my degree in Environmental Sciences takes over, from its very inception, hollis+morris has been based around sustainable practices. From the materials we use (LED, solid wood, etc) to our packaging and marketing materials, minimal waste is at the forefront of all decision-making. We aim to create pieces that last longer than we will.
What’s now?
We are always experimenting with new LED technology and now we are focused on new ways to diffuse this light. Exploring how different materials reflect and refract the light has been very inspiring, including the very practical application of signage and wayfinding. I am currently working on 5 or so new lighting pieces that will complement our collection of products.
What’s next?
We have been seeing a lot of interest lately in our brand from new markets globally so there will definitely be some travel in our future. It’s a little early to say for sure but, the adventure continues!
And just curious: What is your favorite band and/or song?
Favorite band at the moment is Dijon
To discover more, visit Hollis and Morris and follow on Instagram @hollisandmorris