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Susan Pilato, CEO of Mantra Inspired Furniture, has a unique approach to sustainable design and a deep-rooted passion for solid hardwood. In an exclusive interview, Pilato shared her journey and insights into why hardwood is the centerpiece of her company’s creations.
The Journey to Solid Hardwood
Mantra Inspired Furniture was born out of Pilato’s experience with a client and a furniture manufacturer who standardized on solid wood. “I have to admit that I didn’t know a whole lot about solid wood furniture at the time,” she says. But over years of working with these materials, her perspective changed. “I came to truly not only appreciate it but love it for reasons of durability. I saw firsthand how solid wood furniture lasts and is beautiful. Its beauty lasts because you can refinish it and repair it.”
Pilato shared that this longevity sets solid wood apart from other materials. “Over 25 years, most of the furniture that was not solid wood is gone. But all the solid wood furniture stayed and is still in play after 25 years.”
Defining Sustainability in Design
Pilato emphasizes the importance of considering the long-term impact of materials. “When you think about sustainability, so much of the focus has been on, ‘How much carbon are we using to create a product?’ Really, we need to consider, ‘Where is this product going to be in 10 years?’ With solid wood, whether it’s hardwood floors, furniture, or walls, you have something that can be repaired, refinished, recolored, or reshaped.”
She points out that other materials, like MDF or particle board, don’t offer the same durability or adaptability. “We need to start using our common sense about what materials are going to be, not just today, but 5, 10, 20 years from now. That is what sustainability means.”
Misleading Labels in Sustainability
Pilato is critical of certifications that complicate understanding what true sustainability means. “There’s so much focus on getting a certification and not enough focus on what the certification really means,” she explains. “We’re getting away from common sense and the actual truth about American hardwoods. These certifications are expensive for small manufacturers, and sometimes they obscure the fact that solid wood is one of the most sustainable, renewable materials you can use.”
Designing with Solid Wood
Pilato believes that the beauty of solid wood lies in its individuality and history. “Every single piece has its own personality. Every single piece has its own beauty, just like the trees themselves and just like us humans.”
She also laments the lack of education about working with solid wood in design programs. “Unfortunately, as a designer, you’re really not taught a lot about how to design with solid wood, and I think that’s a huge, huge mistake.”
The Connection Between Wood and Well-Being
Beyond durability and aesthetics, Pilato highlights the calming effects of being surrounded by wood. “We’re learning more about how nature and wood heal human anxiety. There’s so much talk about biophilia and the effect it has on people. Wood calms us. It’s proven that people are more productive and feel better around nature.”
Pilato sees this as especially relevant today. “In offices or homes, being around natural materials like solid wood can bring a sense of peace and happiness. The mind doesn’t like to be tricked by fake materials like plastic laminate. Real wood, with its natural variations, helps us feel grounded and connected.”
Carrying the Torch
Mantra Inspired Furniture carries forward the legacy of craftsmanship and sustainability. “We picked up the baton and kept running down the field,” Pilato says. “We’re constantly inspired by the history and potential of solid wood. Designing with it is exciting, and I can’t wait to see where we grow, like the trees themselves.”