Creative Parents — Mr and Mrs White
A creative couple in business and life, Nathan and Sasha White’s journey in handcrafted timber furniture goes hand-in-hand with the home they built, raising their three children.
Words: Emma-Kate Wilson | Photography: Samantha Claire & Joshua White
Sasha and Nathan White from Mr and Mrs White with two of their daughters, Oak (8) and Clay (5). Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
‘We are forever trying to get the balance right and juggle all the demands. To be honest, I can’t remember what life was even like before kids!’ says Sasha White. Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
‘Our love for the home and what we put in our home is at the core of what we do,’ says Sasha White. Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
The Barrel Armchair from Mr and Mrs White. Photo: Joshua White
First based in Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Mr and Mrs White’s timber furniture came to represent the laidback and clean coastal aesthetics that surrounded their studio and home. Launched in 2011, the handcrafted designs are an extension of the pieces creative directors Nathan and Sasha White use every day.
‘Since 2011, we have developed and tested our furniture in our home, creating what we would want to use and live with on a daily basis,’ says Sasha White. ‘We believe that well-made furniture can bring freedom of expression through thoughtful selection, simplicity of design and attention to detail.’
With this mindset influencing their practice and style, Mr and Mrs White hero natural materials with high-quality craftsmanship. ‘We are forever inspired by the craftmanship in Japanese joinery and the greats of mid-century furniture design,’ says Sasha.
The journey for Nathan and Sasha’s venture into timber furniture grew together. ‘It wasn’t until we were married and creating a home together that we discovered our love for ‘creating’ with our own hands,’ says Sasha. ‘The more we created, the deeper our love for design grew, the more we discovered ourselves really.’
For the creative duo, parenting and the design business have gone hand-in-hand. They had their first daughter at the beginning of their journey, and Mr and Mrs White is the result of the lives they have built together. As a result, their work is inspired to be intentional and generational. ‘Something that our own children can grow to be a part of one day (if they so desire),’ Sasha adds.
‘Becoming parents hasn’t so much changed our practice; it has shaped our practice for the better,’ Sasha continues. ‘Family and the home is at the core of what we do. It inspires us and slows us, which can be frustrating but ultimately, it is a good thing.’
‘Our true passion lies in creating and expanding on our own unique collection of furniture design; we are particularly proud of our barrel collection, Um Chair design and the various bespoke banquette designs we have designed and crafted for and with CM Studio,’ says Sasha White. Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
“For both Nathan and myself, becoming designers and craftsmen has been a gradual progression and realisation through our life and journey together.”
‘Becoming parents hasn’t so much changed our practice; it has shaped our practice for the better,’ says Sasha White. Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
‘For a piece of furniture to really embody the authenticity of your work, that is what we are forever aspiring to. Designers like Charles and Ray Eames really embodied this for us and were greatly influential to our design journey,’ says Sasha White. Photo: Joshua White
‘Our desire is for people to see, touch and feel the quality and beauty that comes with introducing high-quality craftsmanship and natural materials into their home and workplace,’ says Sasha White. Photo: Samantha Claire Photography
Mr and Mrs White have shared the love with popular Australian brands, including Assembly Label, Natalie Marie Jewellery, Bondi Wash, Faithfull the Brand and more. But it’s their unique collection that continues to inspire them, drawing on their life experiences as a family of five.
‘We are about to launch a new bed design which we are excited about; it’s called the ‘Tumby Bed’ and was inspired by our recent move to the Northern Rivers,’ Sasha adds.
After ten years in Sydney, Sasha and Nathan — along with their three daughters, Selah (11), Oak (8) and Clay (5) — relocated manufacturing and design headquarters to the Northern Rivers after going through a major health issue in 2018.
‘Despite its challenges, moving has been the best decision for us. The space has given us room to breathe, bond closer as a family and get back to the heart of our business,’ says Sasha. ‘Always inspired by nature, we are surrounded by it here – both the mountains and the sea.’
With another season of growth ahead of them, recently being affected in the NSW floods and setting up their business and home in a new location, Sasha reflects on these experiences of change that go with raising a family. ‘My role has always been flexible in this way to accommodate for the various needs over the years,’ she adds.
And their advice for parents? ‘Not advice, more just encouragement. And that is to say – You’re doing a great job. Bad seasons will end. Your hard work will be worth it.’
