Tino Seubert on Modern Laminate Furniture Design with Formica®

German-born and educated in Bolzano, Paris and London, Tino Seubert first gained recognition in 2018 with his wicker and aluminium stools and benches for the Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield. These works established his interest in pairing organic craft traditions with precise, industrial processes – a dialogue that still defines his design practice today.

Discovering the Potential of Laminate Sheets

For Tino, selecting surfaces is never just about looks – it’s about versatility, durability, and creative freedom. This search led him to Formica laminate, which quickly became an integral part of his design language.

“I like to go for the plain colours – the choice is huge and I love the gentle texture of the matte finish.”

For designers, laminate sheets offer the ability to experiment boldly with colour while maintaining practicality: surfaces that are durable, easy to maintain, and high in quality.

Colour and Craft: The Hana Collection

Among Tino’s most notable projects with Formica laminate is the Hana Collection, a family of side tables and a sideboard. Inspired by Japanese carpentry, the name “Hana” – meaning flower – refers to the distinctive pattern created by four wooden dowels piercing through the surface.

Photo credit: David Wilman 

For this collection, Tino selected F8822 Denim, F4155 Sun, F5342 Earth and F2005 Paprika, all in Matte 58 texture. Paired with oiled oak and walnut, the pieces achieve a warm, tactile quality while demonstrating how laminate can elevate modern furniture design with colour and precision.

Created during lockdown as commissions for friends and family, Hana has since grown into a collection available in custom sizes and finishes. 

Exploring New Directions: The Nude Chair at 3 Days of Design

In 2025, Tino unveiled another landmark project at 3 Days of Design in Copenhagen: the Nude Chair. Four planes intersect at sharp angles to form a linear yet sophisticated seat, inspired by the radical aesthetic of the 1970s – a decade when design became both political and personal.

The chair reflects a refined balance of structure and sensuality. Surfaces in direct contact with the body were crafted in FENIX^® Cacao Orinoco, matte, velvety, and soft to the touch, while the outer sides and frame were finished in Formica Laminate F3209 Sol, a bright and luminous yellow.

The Nude Chair shows how laminate allows designers to reinterpret past aesthetics while shaping contemporary forms – blending tactile comfort with bold colour. Exhibited on an international stage, it reinforced Tino’s reputation as a designer bringing fresh perspectives to laminate furniture design.

Advice for Designers Considering Laminate

Tino encourages fellow designers to take full advantage of laminate’s creative potential.

“Don’t be afraid of bold colours and embrace the slim brown line on the edge of the Formica laminate sheet. It’s what makes it special.”

That fine edge becomes a subtle yet distinctive design detail – a reminder that laminate surfaces aren’t just practical, but also rich with visual possibilities.

Whether through the playful use of bold colours, the softness of matte finishes, or the fine detail of laminate edges, Tino Seubert represents a generation of designers who see Formica Laminate not simply as a surface solution, but as a creative medium that enables bold, lasting design.

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