At Trouble Studio design isn't just about creating functional furniture and homeware—it's a statement of sustainable craftsmanship and modern living. Recently, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Matthew Coules, founder of Trouble Studio, to discuss his journey, his brand's philosophy, and an exciting new partnership with Poppy. We're thrilled to announce that Trouble Studio products are now available to rent on Poppy, making their sleek and sustainable designs more accessible than ever. To top it off, we put Matt through a quick-fire Q&A to give you an inside look at the story behind the brand.
1. What drove you to create 'Trouble Studio'? And How did you come up with the name?
I started Trouble as a space to have complete freedom in creating across all levels. I wanted to make products for modern living that are made in a more artisan fashion, as locally to me in Oxfordshire as possible.
I called it Trouble because I’ve always been inspired by the ones who defy an rebel against mainstream culture, I want to do something that divides opinions and makes a bit of a statement.
2. Can you share some of the biggest inspirations behind your design process?
My design process usually starts with a simple idea and then a real deep focus on the manufacturing processes, it’s here that I usually find a way of taking something that is very basic and adding value.
I’m obsessed with details and efficiency in design, it’s often like a jigsaw puzzle that I have to keep re visiting. I also put a strong emphasis on interactiveness, I want people to be able to have their own influence on how the product exists in their own space.
I’d say someone looking for something that is slightly unique and characterful for their home. Someone who is looking for a conversational piece of furniture.
4. If you could share one message or feeling with people who bring your pieces into their spaces, what would it be?
I guess through design I’m always trying to convey joyfulness in its simplest form. I’d love to think that one of my objects makes someone smile when they walk into the room in the same way that I smile every time I look at one of my guitars or my Eames rocking chair.
5. How do you incorporate sustainable craftsmanship into your designs, and why is this important to you?
Sustainability is something that fascinates me and one thing I'm mindful of doing is using trendy 'eco materials' for the sake of it when there is so many other less talked about avenues. I guess the main thing I'm trying to do aside from locally manufacturing in small batches, is create products that are very well built and timeless in style so they do not need to be replaced every few years.
An extremely high percentage (pretty much all) of the carbon footprint of a piece of furniture is attributed to its manufacture and its end of life disposal, It’s far better for people to have one well-made item that they can use for life than replacing it with a new one every 5 / 10 years.
6. What role does the manufacturing process play in shaping the aesthetics of your pieces?
A lot of the time the manufacturing process comes before the actual realised idea for the product. I’ll often think a lot about a machining process of a material process and how I can manipulate it before working out how I can apply it to something. After being kicked out of design school at 17 my first real job was in manufacturing as a wood machinist, so most of my knowledge of making comes from those experiences, and being involved in the entire process from raw sheet material to finished item.
7. What excites you most about bringing your products to a rental model? How do you see this shaping the future of your brand?
To me it’s about accessibility. I want to price my things so they are accessible for everyday normal people to buy and being able to rent them massively supports that and allows people with a lower budget to experience them. Also allowing people to rent for the time they need the item for and then for it to go on to the next home supports philosophy around elongating product life cycle. For the future I can see rental shaping how my products are designed a lot more.
8. What can we expect to see from Trouble Studio in the future?
I’m working on quite a few things to be launched asap.. the Duo chair which I have shared a first look on Instagram (see below), which Is an aluminium side chair that will be upholstered in industry waste fabric. Ox bench, more accessories, A shelf with a very talented local fabricator friend who makes race car seats and other cool things, more street photography, more playlists, shortlisted for a design award, Videos, Products in some furniture shops,.. A lot going on really, for a side hustle!