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Words by: Alicia Hoisington March 02, 2022

Designer Sérgio Matos believes furniture design plays a much bigger role in society than just serving a function in the home. Rather, it shelters memory, history, and ties, and paired with the essence of Brazilianness, Matos tells stories and preserves the spirit of his home country of Brazil through his work.

The work of Sérgio Matos radiates warmth with an exotic twist. Through his collection of outdoor chairs, poufs, benches, swings, and decorative pieces, Matos embodies Brazilian design principles, such as being grounded in an identity that resists time and preserves ancestral techniques and processes.

Originally from Mato Grosso on the Westernmost side of Brazil, Matos moved to the Northeast of Brazil to attend design school in the state of Paraíba.

“Coming to the Northeast as an outsider I was able to see the potential and beauty of things that most locals probably fail to see in their day-to-day life,” says Matos.

Through this move, Matos was exposed to a rich variety of traditional craftsmanship that would eventually become a major element of his craft and design studio—and would inspire him to spread the word of high-end Brazilian furniture design.

Today, Matos values a combination of largely-manufactured pieces and limited-edition works that can take up to four months to create. Most commonly, the designer utilizes natural materials like wicker, leather, and strong thread for hammock straps. Much of Matos’ work is produced through partnerships with small independent manufacturers.

“Our Northeast has a very rich culture and is my main source of inspiration,” says Matos. “All my pieces have a reference to the area, be it through the artisans who help me produce them, or the materials I find there, or even just something I might have spotted at a street fair.”

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