George Mahoney is a furniture designer in Minneapolis Minnesota. His work ranges from limited production, site specific and one of a kind. His design focuses on material exploration, he pushed the boundaries and explored the possibilities of wood in his furniture. Know more about the designer in the following interview,

1. My first question to you is who is George Mahoney in flesh and blood?

George: Minneapolis, MN based furniture designer and Adjunct Professor at Minneapolis College of Art and Design.

2. In nearly all your created products, you have made use of polycarbon, mid steel, cashmere fabric, stainless steel to name a few, here I’d like to know, what do you feel about the furniture that is manufactured from recycled stuff.

George: Recently, I’ve been working with vinyl billboards as upholstery (Lu-Be). The billboards are test runs and usually thrown away. Recycling is very important and green design is a subject that I understand and utilize in both my teaching and future designs, specifically bamboo both as a wood substitute and textile.

3. How do you negotiate your research, which, although centered on furniture, can cross boundaries of interest?

George: My inter-disciplinary background, photographer, graphic and furniture design allows me to take influences from architecture, industrial design and fashion. Material knowledge, combined with those areas is also a big area of inspiration.

4. What is the story behind Spunk Design Table?

George: The table design for the Spunk Design Machine consisting of six graphic designers that can work independently or collaborate as a group. Each workspace is designed to be independent, yet not isolated.

5. Can you describe an evolution in your work?

George: The Miles design, being the first of the hoop chairs, specifically the triangular shaped attachment point, seemed clumsy and forced. That intersection (where the seat and back meet) was re-worked 3 times from the Miles to Metropolis to most currently the Evans.

6. Amongst your created work, which one is your all time favorite?

George: That is a tough one, I just about answered this with five different answers. I can narrow it down to two the Evans chair, which is un-believably comfortable and the Telephone (containment) which is sculptural, architectural and striking from any viewpoint.

7. To me your designs have a very modern, urban feel to them. Do you design specifically for urban spaces?

George: Primarily yes, I find urban centers inspirational.

8. I’m curious to know the decorating style of your home?

George: During a show/exhibit? Then it’s pretty empty, as far as my wife is concerned, lately her favorite chair has been on exhibit. Seriously, I live in an Arts and Crafts bungalow, it has an eclectic mix of mid century classics combined with my work.

9. What advice would you give to someone who has just moved into a new, empty home and doesn’t know where to start?

George: Really think about how you live and what your habits are in order to define your needs and living style.

10. Finally, we would like to have your thoughts on the Instablogs News Network and all its related sites. Which one is your favorite?

George: I like it’s international political style, meaning it isn’t mainstream US news.

What crosses your mind when I say the following...

George: Edit, edit, edit.

Your inspiration comes from?

George: Urban landscape and material.

Do you like to be on the timeless stage or trend-setting stage?

George: My materials are very forward thinking; trendy, but combined with a timeless style.

What is your favorite material to work with?

George: Metal.

What is the trend for materials this year?

George: Green.

Thank you George for sparing out time in doing an interview with us, it is greatly appreciated. I’d also like to wish you luck for all your future endeavors.