In our latest independent business posting on Hidden Edinburgh we talk to Justin Baddon, owner and director of Moleta Munro. Based on London Street just off Broughton Road Moelta Munro specialises in contemporary European furniture and lighting. Read on to find out more about Justin and one of Edinburgh’s best furniture shops.
Can you tell me a little about your background, your interest in design, and how Moleta Munro came about?
I formerly trained as a Textile Designer at Duncan of Jordanstone School of Art in Dundee but I could claim to be a self-trained graphic designer too. Over the years I have worked in textile design, graphic design, interior design and design management. My interest in design is diverse given the different fields I have worked in, inspiration is everywhere. Moleta Munro came about after a life-changing move out of London back to Scotland and was initially a melting pot of fashion, home accessories and lighting, largely with a Scandinavian slant. Over the years we have evolved and our focus is largely within furniture and lighting.
This year marks Moleta Munro’s 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, how would you say design trends have shifted?
Interior design trends are increasingly linked to fashion and lifestyle trends and seem to be changing more rapidly than they were a decade ago. It can make it hard to keep up, so we tend to default to many classic looking pieces that have a timelessness about them. I also feel that there is increasingly a slightly worrying homogenisation design, a mono global design is becoming apparent.
Can you tell me about the brands and designers you supply, is there a unifying feature that makes them especially desirable?
There are two main props to our business: the classic modern and the contemporary. Consequently we work with brands that have one or the other as their main focus. Designs we sell come from many of the classic modern greats including Arne Jacobsen, Hans Wegner or Poul Kjaerholm but contemporary designers such as Jaime Hayon, Cecille Manz or Space Copenhagen are prominent, too. Of course, we approach things with a largely Scandinavian approach, though many brands we now work with are European rather than just from the Scandinavian countries. One of the things they have in common is the fact that they are largely high quality brands that have an ethos of selling quality over quantity. Many of the items we sell are investment pieces built to last over several generations
Why do you think beautiful design is important in our living and leisure spaces?
Man has always sought to improve things wherever possible, beautiful design improves our everyday experiences and enhances our quality of living.
Do you have a favourite or extra special piece of furniture you couldn’t live without?
I treated myself to a CH22 lounge chair by Hans Wegner last year, I love the marriage of form and comfort it encapsulates.
What is your dream project?
We are working on number of five star hotel projects currently, they are pretty dreamy!
Why did you choose Edinburgh as a base for your business?
When returning from London to Scotland I had a strong desire to move to the wilds, Edinburgh seemed a safer bet for establishing a business. I guess it has worked out quite well.
Edinburgh is known as a city of culture, do you think it is destination for design?
I don’t feel that design is the first thing that comes to mind with Edinburgh but there are increasing numbers of design savvy people establishing businesses that bring design to the fore. I hear there’s something of a London exodus afoot!
What are some of your favourite spots in Edinburgh?
I live quite close to the Shore in Leith and can frequently be found pottering around the area & Custom House where Kestin Hare is based. I also love the Stockbridge Market on Sunday…great to find foodie treats.
Tell us about the Timber House on Skye. Do you get to go there regularly yourself for a getaway?
I try to connect with Skye about 3 times a year, I just have to remember to book it out! It’s a wonderful bolt-hole to have, but it has also served as a bolt-on to the main Moleta Munro business over the years. If you are a fan of the outdoors, as I am, the combination of enjoying all that Skye has to offer and being able to return to a well-designed base is positively fantastic!
Address: 43 London St, Edinburgh EH3 6LX
Phone: 0131 557 4800
Web: www.moletamunro.com
