An innovative designer is putting a spin on traditional plastic mats and transforming them into award-winning objects to make a warm and stylish home.

The Thai furniture market is a fast-developing sector, with new designs and skilled craftsmanship being important factors in the industry’s growth. In 2014, furniture exports were worth 38.5 billion baht.

Doonyapol Srichan explains that his girlfriend and fellow designer Sini Henttonen provided the inspiration for founding Product Design Matters (PDM), when she remarked that the colourful and shiny plastic mats used in Thailand’s homes and temples served the same purpose as carpets and rugs in the West.

“Mats are carpets for hotter climates so I wanted to develop the design for mats,” says Srichan. “We’re the first Thai brand to take the plastic mats and develop them into something new. People tend to think mats are old-fashioned. We’ve solved that problem and we can match the mats with elegant furniture now.”

According to Srichan, his team was determined to change the look and feel of traditional mats. “We spent a year developing the material to become stronger, and we use the motto that our products look good like carpets but are as easy to clean as plastic mats,” he says. “We’ve also woven it to be 30% denser to give it a better feel.”

Coated with a UV inhibitor, the mats can be used both indoors and outdoors. Using recycled plastic to decrease its glossy shine, PDM products are designed to be classic, timeless pieces that can endure the test of time. “I think carpets are the key to creating a warm look for the home,” says Srichan.

The brand has enjoyed success, receiving the DEmark award from Thailand and the Good Design award from Japan, as well as other international recognition. The innovative textile is also stored in textile libraries in Milan and New York, as well as the Thailand Creative and Design Centre (TCDC) in Bangkok.

With exports to Spain, Australia and Japan, PDM has launched other products, such as bags and furniture made from the same woven textile.

Now, Srichan is working on many new projects, as he sees design as being an important cog in his country’s continued development.

“The [design] industry in Thailand has grown a lot,” he says. “The government and the DITP have also been giving the industry more attention. Thai culture is very deep but there needs to be more development of products. Design can be a nation’s weapon and I believe that it can drive the economy forward.”

For more information, visit www.pdmbrand.com

Words by Pimsirinuch Borsub