Q&A with Ricky Nordson from Nord&Sand

To gather a deeper and more intimate connection with the artisans we work with and the agents that represent them, we asked each to answer a series of questions. We will be showcasing each Q&A in correlation with our familial content. Enjoy!
x Shop Zung

 

Without giving away your location, describe where you are right now. What are the things you see, smell, or hear around you? 

Being so far up north in the Northern Hemisphere summer hasn’t quite started yet, but days are getting longer, the trees are turning green and birds sing their hearts out.

 

"The green wall looking out the window is from my home office. The building is from 1793."

Taste, touch, smell, sound, sight — which of the five senses do you rely on the most? Why? 

Picking one is hard. I always rely on my senses being for work or in my spare time. Should I pick just one I would have to say: Sight. I love the early morning hues over the ocean or the explosion of color during a sunset.

Tell us about your relationship to Studio Zung. To begin, when and where did your relationship with Tommy start? What drew you to working with us? 

I used to live just around the corner of Studio Zung in Soho, NY. The area is known for a vast amount of retail spaces, but not very often do I stop up and say; Wow, what is this?. That’s how I felt the first time I encountered Studio Zung. Clean lines, well curated products and an amazing designed shop and studio. Always curious, I went straight in and met Tommy for the first time. Tommy took time out to explain the concept behind the shop and showed me around the studio.

How has this relationship evolved over time? Could you describe one of your favorite moments or projects working with Tommy and our Studio?

Later on I introduced Finnish Nikari and Danish Noorstad to Tommy and with a mutual agreement we did a pop-up to further the knowledge of these two brands.

We want to know more about your creative process, walk us through it. How do you begin your projects? Do you anchor it with an image, a material, color, feeling? How do you come to a stopping point and know your work is complete, if you ever think so?

My approach is somewhat different from designers. I represent furniture makers which I feel a connection with. Design, craftsmanship and functionality are keywords that get me going and finding the right designers that have the same approach are crucial. I found that in Tommy and Studio Zung. Together we have done some amazing projects.

How would you describe your work? How do other people describe your work?

One word: Scandinavian.

What is your favorite object or piece of furniture from your portfolio?

Should I choose one object from my portfolio I would have to say the Akademia Chair by Nikari. It is a simple form follow function at its best.

 

Think of an object in your home that has the most significance to you. Could you share with us what it is and the memory behind it?

An early abstract painting by Walter Darby Bannard. It’s basically a black dot on a canvas. I love the simplicity and no fuss attitude in the painting. 

The story behind it was that my wife was in Miami and called me to tell me she was in love. In love with a full stop, a black dot.

 

We live in a society where so much of our identity is surrounded by the things we consume whether that be the things we buy, the food we eat, or the content we see, along with the fast paced nature of it. How do you approach mindful living and sustainability in the context of your work and in your everyday life?

All the brands which my company, Nord&Sand, represents, only work with sustainable sourced wood from Europe. In this day and age there is no reason to work with excotic woods. Many of the looks from these categories can be achieved through stains and heat treatments.

What do you envision for your brand in five years? 

Very simple. We just want to offer the best in Scandinavian design.

What do you want people to take away from your brand? How do you want to be remembered? What is the legacy you imagine for your brand? 

For us it’s important that every single product can be enjoyed for generations to come.

Are you looking forward to anything in the next few months? Any new exciting projects or plans?

My biggest project at the moment is actually a personal one. My family and I purchased an original Friis and Moltke summerhouse last year which needed some love and care. It's a restoration project where we try to be as true to the original as possible but at the same time bring it into the 21th century - it is a lot of work and loads of fun!

 

 

 "The next two projects, happens within the next month, will be a new up to date kitchen from Danish Reform and the “small” house on the left will have a single raised Japanese bedroom instead of two small bedrooms."