Made by Morgen combines practical design with a creative flourish
Having both practical knowledge and creative sensibilities in equal abundance is a rare thing – most people tend to lean one way or the other. The design world unearths some of these multitalented gems, with maker and creative Nick McDonald as a prime example. His brand, Made by Morgen, strikes the perfect balance between expert craftsmanship and creative passion.
You probably wouldn’t pick it from looking at the designs, but the Made by Morgen story actually started with a building apprenticeship. Unsure of what he wanted to do, Nick climbed the ranks of the industry and ended up as a structural foreman overseeing giant projects like shopping centres and apartment complexes. Over the ten years in this industry, Nick’s distance from the hands-on aspects and shift towards management made for stress and unhappiness – so he left the job, purchased a warehouse and made all his furniture from scratch. This awakening to a marriage of both practical and creative skills working in harmony to create amazing pieces was a turning point for Nick, who went on to travel to Europe and hone his craft with makers from all walks of life.
Upon his return to Australia, Nick soon realised that the cost of materials was a prohibitive force on his journey to becoming a fully-fledged furniture maker – so he got creative and salvaged 2500 lineal metres of Australian hardwood from a cattle-auction grandstand on a farm neighbouring his parents’ property. These days Nick favours more refined materials like American oak and European beech, but the Made by Morgen ethos has remained the same – keep it minimalist, recycled, sustainable and ethical. These days, Nick works out of a Melbourne studio crafting Made by Morgen goods with a talented team by his side (as well as an adorable blue heeler named Roscoe).
You can see the full range of Made by Morgen pieces and enquire about custom work on the brand’s website.