Kabuni Spotlight - Michael Thomas Host of mth woodworks

Story: Sam Wink, Jennilee Marigomen, Jill Greenwood

Photography: Jennilee Marigomen

Michael Thomas Host has a deep and profound appreciation of nature. The son of a forester and an avid outdoorsman, the founder and owner of mth woodworks set his design roots in the great forests of the Pacific Northwest.

Always finding inspiration from life, Michael’s journey would take him to Brooklyn, New York, where he would dive headfirst into custom furniture building and large scale wood installations– acquiring new techniques and skills along the way. In 2002 Michael returned to the West Coast, where he continued his professional development managing a local woodworking shop.

Since the birth of mth woodworks in 2010, Michael has crafted designs that encapsulate the history of the raw material. In both residential and commercial applications, the pieces he creates showcase growth rings of trees in modern resins–the future and past held in stasis. These techniques offer clients the ability to put natural history on display, to create conversation around ecological sustainability, and to connect the modern world to the organic.

As a born and raised native of BC, what particular elements of the environment have inspired you?

Obviously I've been inspired by our beautiful lush temperate rainforests, but there's so much more to this province. Where else can you snowboard, mountain bike and surf all in one day?  It keeps the inspiration flowing.

For four years you worked as a yacht builder.  How did this feed into your eventual move into furniture design?

Yacht building was great for building up skills and experience with epoxies and resins. It was also one of the nastiest jobs I've ever done which makes me appreciate my career even more now.

Is there a material that you dream of working with in the future?

I'd like to experiment with some different more exotic tree species in the future. Imagine a bloom table done with a walnut tree stump.

What is your favourite part of your process?

Asking the favourite part of the process is like asking which breath of air is your favourite. The entire process from the search for material to the final delivery and everything in between gives me so much and keeps me excited and motivated.

Outside of the design world, what are some of your major inspirations?

Mountain biking and snowboarding have always been my go to activities to clear my mind and keep it open to new ideas and designs. Surfing is my new favourite. The sounds and smells and colours always help to keep things fresh and inspire fresh concepts.

Does form follow function or function follow work in your work?

Because I'm working with such strong and distinct forms in the cedar stumps, function seems to follow form in this quest to add usability to these natural shapes.

Your products are sold internationally. What was a pivotal moment that led to this success?

I think that winning Western Living's Designer of the Year twice has helped put me on the map. But sheer perseverance has been the real reason for most of this international success.

What are the challenges you and other local makers face?

More importantly, what isn't challenging about starting a small business? There are so many challenges that have had to be overcome, but as time goes by things get a little easier. Staying ahead of the pack and constantly creating new designs is a real challenge these days.

Slow design encourages designers to make a conscientious choice of materials and processes, and consider which design strategies may encourage a long-life relationship between the object and its owner. It also considers post consumer life. Do you feel that you art part of this movement?

Mother Nature definitely took her time on the material I use, and I think this ensures a long life relationship between a piece and its owner.

What is one thing you are excited about in the Kabuni App? To be honest, The Dream Room at the Kabuni Design Studio blew my mind. It's pretty exciting technology. How are you trying to make better homes for everyone? I am trying to create a product line that helps people connect with our beautiful outside environment, and make it easy for them to find something that fits their style and design aesthetic.