Missana :
People need upholstered furniture for their comfort and for relaxation
Upholstery Company based in Valencia, Spain . Upholstery Furniture is still a complex art, that requires a certain amount of human touch . Inspired by the natural environment Missana Upholstery Furniture are far more as just furniture pieces.Text by Andrea Juckem Imagery courtesy by MissanaMissana is an upholstery company based in Valencia, Spain. Their Mediterranean location and love for light and nature is reflected in everything they do. Missana is not just about quality design, but also enthusiasm and well-being that they want to share with all of us.
Husband and wife duo, Pepe and Maria, created Missana 25 years ago through a shared passion for upholstery. We had the great pleasure to speak with Maria recently about their journey.
What made you want to start an upholstery company?
I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and so has my partner and husband, Pepe. One day, we just knew in our hearts that it was time to set up our own business, despite the fact that the economic situation at that time was far from optimal. It’s been a real challenge, but our hearts and minds have pushed us in a very impulsive way, and so far, we haven’t regretted it. It might sound too simple, but we chose upholstery because we had to do what we were good at, what was easy for us and, above all, what we loved. Your mission is to spread enthusiasm and well-being. Your greatest wish is to turn winters into summers – so your customers feel comfortable and relaxed. Why is this so important to you?
We are Mediterranean – that means we love light and nature, and we want those elements to be reflected in the products we develop and bring to market. By letting our minds flow, by getting inspired by our natural environment and by working on research for new projects, we try to offer our clients much more than just a piece of furniture. Our purpose is to convey the respect for nature so that our clients can enjoy not only the quality and comfort of our products, but also the Mediterranean spirit, which offers so much optimism.With more than 25 years of experience in upholstery, how do you perceive the change and development of this traditional craft over the years?
The greatest development has been in the raw materials used – like wood, foam and fabrics. I would say that as we grow more concerned about global warming, we need to be more and more eco-friendly to protect our environment and try to have the smallest impact possible. The techniques we use to produce our items have more or less stayed the same. Maybe our sewing machines have become more sophisticated and smarter, and the pre-cutting machines have also been designed to fit our needs to shorten production times; however, upholstery technique remains a complex art, and it will always require a certain amount of human touch. 
What do you think that people expect from furniture these days? Are they willing to spend more for the right piece?
People need upholstered furniture for their comfort and for relaxation. Choosing the right design not only improves the beauty of the space, but also helps you relax and lowers your stress. Knowledge of design is greatly improved these days, and that has created an increase in demand for new designs, colors, origin stories and materials. Craftsmanship stands out as a preference for buyers. I see that people are willing to spend more in order to have quality over quantity. What is most important to you when it comes to designing a new product?
New product design should help us create spaces that improve well-being — both physical and emotional. It should create a safe, efficient and functional environment and allow for easy maintenance. Therefore, a proper choice with designing shapes or layouts is essential and vital for its full and perfect integration into any space.
You mainly use suppliers that are less than 60 km away. What can local producers and artisans bring that no one else can?
Purchasing a handmade product supports artisans and motivates them to keep on creating. There is so much passion and work ethic behind each product – and that should be seen. Using suppliers close to us is our way to support and to improve the economy of our entire community. This way we are also environmentally conscious – spending less on transportation and significantly lowering the amount of carbon released into the atmosphere.
Where do you find your creative inspiration?
I believe that inspiration is all around us. You just need to reflect and listen to your thoughts, note them and work on them. Interact and talk with people around the world. Be active. Also, I think traveling is extremely important as the quote suggests: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” 
You created a Missana Lab to focus on the relationship between the handcrafted tradition and technology. Can you tell me more about that?
Since technology has appeared in our daily lives, it has revolutionized everything we touch and, consequently, has also evolved into a new concept of art: digital art. In general, art expresses emotions, feelings and vision, whereas handcrafted goods are based on using your hands, brain skills and technique. Our thought was, “Why not connect both concepts to enhance innovation and creativity?” So, you not only get a NFT (a unique digital asset), but also purchase a real product from the virtual world that the real world is able to produce. And you can touch it, use it and enjoy it.We already have two special items from 3D artists and many more to come, hopefully.
What keeps you moving forward and how do you rest?
My passion for what I am doing and my love for design, textures and colors keeps me going.There are plenty of ways to rest, unwind and recharge your body and mind depending on your lifestyle and your own philosophy of life. In my case, reading, listening to music, going to the cinema or theater and, of course, traveling are my personal favorites.