Interview with Birgit Hoffmann and Christoph Kahleyss

What kind of requirements do today’s beds have to meet?

Nowadays, of course, a lot more goes on in beds than just sleeping. In fact, beds are where people watch television, read or work/play on the computer, while eating and drinking at the same time.  Beds act as a place of refuge, a space to relax in and sometimes even as a workplace and are to some extent now replacing the sofa.

The bed is increasingly becoming a focal point in the home and is partly taking over the role of the sofa.

Functional headboards offering a high degree of reclining comfort would seem to be a sensible way of meeting such requirements. Headboards, by definition, must be comfortable to lean on. Take, for example, the adjustable headrest fitting in our Pad bed.

Sleep is taking a more prominent place in the public consciousness. Consequently, the materials used to make beds are becoming increasingly important, especially when it comes to the mattresses we lie on for eight hours a night. There is a desire for natural, uncontaminated materials, and their use is much easier to manage in regional production as exemplified by Möller Design.

How would you describe your collaboration with Möller Design?

Definitely uncomplicated and based on a high degree of trust. Möller Design generally presents us with a topic which we are free to work on as we please. We’ve got to know each other well now, so we can get by without the need for detailed briefings. During product development our specifications are put into practice as far as possible. This means that certain details are realised which may be a little more expensive, but which make each bed special. And last but not least, we never cease to be impressed by how beautifully Möller showcases the new products for photo shoots and at exhibitions.

Tell us something about the new LIV bed. What’s special about LIV?

The bed is based on a classic bed-frame. A key feature is the core leather apron into which we’ve inserted soft pillows. The combination of leather apron and classic frame construction give the bed a charmingly antiquated look and feel, while the pillows make it casual and cosy.

Which factors, if any, influence your work?
Or, to be more precise: How do you actually go about designing a bed?

First and foremost, we need to have a thorough knowledge of the market, which is why our work always begins with a lot of research. Then, through discussion, we try to find a design approach which is both innovative and embodies a clear-cut idea. We draw inspiration from the most varied sources ‒ travelling, visiting art exhibitions or from the natural world.
Our philosophy is “go through life with your eyes open, and inspiration will come to you from all sides.”

Which other products would you like to design in future?

A micro house or a tree house or maybe even an innovative lamp. That would be a complete change of direction for us.