Notre Monde Information

In designing the Notre Monde distinctive furniture, lighting and home accessories, artists Robert Gorst and Dawn Sweitzer enliven traditional techniques with fresh ideas of global origin. This husband and wife creative team draws inspiration not only from extensive European travel, but also their experience in making a home for themselves in Russia and Robert’s native England before settling in the American Midwest. Indeed, the Notre Monde line is a direct expression of the artists’ cheerful, ongoing immersion in various cultures. Motifs and methods used in these products show their particular interest in the art and design of Eastern and Western Europe, but perhaps even more important, their respect for ways in which other communities embrace the good life. The Notre Monde studio is a dynamic combination of approaches. Dawn has the fanciful stylistic intuition of an aesthete, though one firmly grounded in the disciplines of mural painting and contemporary design. Robert brings a renaissance man’s breadth of expertise to the collaboration, whether applying lessons from his training as an engineer or work experience as a furniture-maker and architectural renovator. The synthesis of their strengths and sensibilities, combined with the talents of other members of the Notre Monde team, ensures that clients will receive the highest levels of innovation and flexibility. As a result, Notre Monde produces exceptional furniture and accessories for the home, crafted with aesthetic refinement and structural integrity. Time-honored techniques are complemented by modern materials for enhanced durability, melding luxury with practicality. In the spirit of decorative objects from 18th century Europe, individual Notre Monde pieces exhibit variations in color and finish because of the artisanal nature of special glazing silk-screening and hand-painting methods. Of course, singular, customized designs are created for larger orders.