Claudia Middendorf is the founder of Mathilde home, a textile brand she launched in 2017. Mathilde’s minimalist linen quilts and pillows are keepsake items intended to be passed down through generations. Just like heirloom beans, these heirloom quilts preserve heritage and honor the idea of slowing down and being intentional about how we consume. Each item is made in Claudia’s studio in an old milling building overlooking the Blackstone River in Rhode Island and we’re thrilled to be able to connect and share her story.
Beanstory: You studied graphic design at the California College of the Arts and RISD (Rhode Island School of Design) - and you still practice graphic design. What drew you to textiles?
Claudia Middendorf: While I love graphic design, I wanted to create something tactile, with longevity. I wanted to take a traditional medium and make it unique. I try to push myself to make something different.
B: Quilts are having a bit of a resurgence. Why do you think this is?
CM: I think a lot of us are tired of buying throw-away items. We want something special, that will last. Quilts embody this sense of comfort and ease that we hope to feel in our own homes.
There’s a quote on our website that I think captures this sentiment:
“It’s no surprise that wherever we are in the world, sleeping under a quilt will always evoke that sense of ease, rest, and simple pleasure of being home among our favorite things.”
"It’s no surprise that wherever we are in the world, sleeping under a quilt will always evoke that sense of ease, rest, and simple pleasure of being home among our favorite things"
B: What do you love most about your work?
CM: I love the transformative power of design. You can create so much with so little. I also love knowing that something I’ve created is bringing joy to someone in their homes - or even out of their homes. I have a customer in California who wrote to tell me she took her throw camping. She takes it everywhere! While each piece is special, it doesn’t have to be precious. These are pieces that can grow with you and your family. I find it really rewarding to know that I’ve played a part in building connections and memories.
B: It’s hard to build a business making small-batch anything. Are you hoping to scale your brand or what are your aspirations for this business?
CM: I’m trying to grow my business within the interior design and architecture community. With those projects, I like that I’m part of something bigger than the item that I’m making. I get to contribute to building a client’s vision of home.
B: What does home mean to you?
CM: Home is what gives us comfort. It’s where we feel safe. In that sense, there’s a lot of cross-over between my work and yours. We talk about comfort food - beans being the ultimate example of that - and, likewise, with my textiles, I hope to help people feel more grounded and connected to their homes.
B: That’s such a beautiful parallel. Are you a fan of beans? No pressure!
CM: I love beans! My mother is from El Salvador and beans have always been part of my life. We’d eat a lot of black or red beans growing up. Our empanadas were made with plantains on the outside rather than dough and stuffed with beans. Then we’d drizzle a little crema - or creme fraiche - on top. It’s delicious.
B: You grew up in California. Do you miss living there?
CM: I love both coasts. In California you’ve got the rolling hills, oak trees, the Mediterranean climate…I can go into my parent’s backyard and pick a lemon right off a tree. Here, I love the change of seasons and the East Coast sensibility. It’s nice to have experienced both places.
B: What have been some of the influences in your life and work?
CM: My mother, who is now in her 80s, has always been very creative and will make something beautiful or delicious out of whatever she has. When we were growing up, we’d set the table for four with mixed matched dishes or whatever we had on hand. We’d make it all fit together. That sensibility has influenced a lot of my work - being resourceful with materials.
I’m also influenced by pretty much anything Italian. There’s an appreciation for artisanal craft - as there is in France and Japan. In those cultures there’s a sense of reverence for craftsmanship that I want to have in my work.
There’s also a book that influenced my creative path, called The Web of Life by Fritjof Capra.
B: What advice would you give to your younger self?
CM: Keep curiosity alive in your everyday life. Be ruthless in your pursuit of knowledge, foster a creative practice that may feel awkward at first—but will improve with time, again and again. Don’t let it go. Keep at it. Take the class at the local college, enroll in a workshop, attend shows that inspire you. Seek out conversations with those who challenge and expand your thinking. Connect with your tribe—whether they are art lovers, food enthusiasts, crafters, or writers, from all cultures and across industries. The joy that comes from pursuing knowledge in the sciences, arts, literature, politics, economics, and design will impact you in ways you can’t yet imagine.
What beautiful advice and sentiments that very much echo our own approach to staying creative and curious. Thank you, Claudia! It's been such a treat to connect with you.
To learn more about Claudia and her work, visit the site of MATHILDE HOME.