We've had so much fun getting to know our new friend, Carter Averbeck of Omforme. Omforme is Norwegian for "transform" - which is exactly what Carter does with the vintage finds he comes across.  Carter is a multi-skilled artist and craftsperson with an eye for great design and an extra dose of flair. He also owns Trompe Decorative Finishes. We are delighted by the new life he brings to abandoned pieces from the past- the ultimate in recycling.  Plus - he's from Minneapolis, too!

Read his interview with us below and we're sure you'll be charmed by him, as we have all been.  Then, check out the sweet bench table he partnered with us to transform.




How did you get your start designing and "renewing" furniture?


Revamping furniture has been a lifelong hobby. My parents did amazing things with furniture and we always had wonderful pieces throughout our home. My mother would find items and my father would refinish it into a work of art. Their passion was definitely transferred to me. The idea that forlorn furniture with good bones can be transformed has always been exciting. Like spinning gold from straw,…I love the challenge of taking what others think of as junk and making it beautiful.


Tell us about your design process? Where do you draw inspiration?


The search is the starting point: looking for furniture with good bones. Items that have iconic or streamlined shapes. Before I even take in a piece, I'm already imagining it's potential. A vast archive of knowledge from my interior design world has been permanently lodged in my brain - which is already a sponge for new conceptual ideas. Since I am currently an interior designer for others, it's only natural for inspiration to come from all the resources I've been exposed to. Design icons I admire for their boldness are Ettore Sottsass (led the Memphis Movement in the 80's - the last distinctive design era before homogenization began in the 1990's+), Philippe Stark (updates iconic design in clever format), Marc Newson (giving amorphous organic element to modern furniture).


What are you most excited about in the next year?


Potential is the most exciting thing right now: Potential to break out of the world of mass manufactured furniture masquerading as individualistic with exciting, gleeful, colour saturated one of a kind pieces that speak of real personality. Buying a chair from a big box furniture store may be safe, but it isn't personable. I hope to change the public's notion of what individual style is in regards to buying home furniture and decor. As Omforme grows, so hopefully will the ability to add an element of giving back to the community by offering underprivileged youth to aquire skills of refinishing and using their creative abilities to come up with iconic styles for each piece of furniture we have. It's all in the works,….and that's exciting!

What is your favorite part about living in the Midwest?


I would like to say the weather, but that changes every 15 minutes. However, the midwest affords me the time and inclination to pursue dreams and turn them into a reality. There is a real quality of life here unburdened by big city constraints of having to earn enough just to get by. There is also a huge amount of talent here and meeting up with other creative people gives way to incredible collaboration, not to mention a built in support system.


It's raining and you can only pick one song to listen to, what would that song be?


Rollercoaster by Everything But the Girl. Reminds me to contemplate and have gratitude with everything I have in life.


What's the best meal you've had in the last year?


Lobster Mac & Cheese,…. I can't help myself from loving revamped versions of down-home cooking. Oh...wait, do you see a pattern here?