The Copenhagen design studio is known for its minimalist style. Seeking tactility and depth, the creative duo behind Atelier Cph, Sara Ingemann and Mandy Rep, continually explore new techniques and materials.

“We create our artworks by combining a love of tactility with an endless exploration of new techniques. We use combinations of different materials—from textiles we buy at secondhand shops to old paper bearing traces of history and handmade paper.”

All their materials come from secondhand and vintage shops, friends and family, and nature. These materials are central to their creative practice because they carry memories. “For us, it’s very important to use materials that have their own history,” Sara says. “It gives our work life.”

By layering different materials, Sara and Mandy create intricate, finely detailed works that convey special meanings. Their creative process is full of trial and error and trust in themselves: “We try to stay spontaneous and trust our instincts, but there are also a lot of revisions and perfectionism involved in maintaining the tight, finished quality we like.”

Since launching their first design series in 2012, they have drawn inspiration from architectural lines and Japanese minimalism. “Architecture can convey so much about the history of a place and is closely connected to different art movements,” Mandy shares. “We’re very inspired by the modern architectural styles that converged in the 20th century, such as the Dutch De Stijl movement, Bauhaus, Brutalism, and Constructivism.”

However, with their latest collection—the Garden Collection, created especially for The Poster Club—they realized they wanted to make works that were more playful and fun.

“In this series, we experimented more with organic shapes and dared to break conventions to create a bolder, more expressive design.”

As it turned out, inspiration was right on their doorsteps. Sara and Mandy both enjoy taking long walks in their spare time, wandering through the natural surroundings near their respective homes. After years of working in a studio in central Frederiksberg, they now also work at Rep’s home in the forests north of Copenhagen. “We both like to stay spontaneous and want to be able to work in different places. Having a space close to nature suits us perfectly. We have found common ground in nature and feel its inherent sense of connection.”