Maison Matisse favours the use of natural materials that are renewable and recyclable for its creations. In this vein, the pieces from the collection Les Mille et Une Nuits are made of cork that has been recycled by an FSC-certified specialist. The choice of cork allows for innovative design in a material that has been little used in decoration until today.

Cork is the outer bark of the cork tree, with forests in the western part of the Mediterranean basin and in North Africa. At Maison Matisse, the principle source of cork comes from eco-managed forests in Portugal.

The lifespan of a cork tree is roughly 200 years. The harvesting of the cork takes place every 9 years. This is fundamental to the durability of the forest, because it allows for planting to be regulated, while giving trees the needed space to grow. Each harvest period is followed by a planting sequence, allowing for the renewal of the forest while fulfilling production demands.

The cork used to make Maison Matisse products (stools, shelves, trays, desktop accessories) is a blend of cork tree bark and cuttings from recycled corks. The cork is broken down using mechanical means. It is then ground and cleaned to produce a block of raw material from which each product is cut to achieve its unique final shape.

Cork is a hypoallergenic, rot-proof, lightweight material that is water-resistant with low air permeability. It is heat and fire resistant, chemically neutral, and provides thermal and acoustic insulation, whilst being particularly elastic and durable over time. Underused in the world of design, it contributes here to an innovative collection paying tribute to the creativity of Henri Matisse.

The pieces in the collection, Les Mille et Une Nuits, are made entirely from recycled cork. Paying homage to the creativity of Henri Matisse, the choice of cork allows for both an innovative design and a unique application of colour through flat areas of paint. The result echoes the work of Henri Matisse, whose experiments with gouache coloured paper led to a new mode of expression: that of the cut-outs.

The pieces are manufactured in Portugal, where there is a long tradition of working with cork. The cork is first reduced to granules then compressed into blocks. The blocks are subsequently cut into sections onto which, using a 3D-capable machine, the technician engraves the final shape. Any waste produced during this process is subsequently recycled. The paint is then applied by hand. The colours are selected specifically for Maison Matisse and correspond to the colour palette of the painting that served as inspiration.