TAMEKO Scandinavian Home Textiles - Interview with the Founders Dominika Leveau & Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

February 14, 2025

Visit the TAMEKO collection at Tempo Design Store

During many discussions we’ve had over the years, the subject of creating a brand that elevates the experience and lifts textiles up to a level of other iconic Danish design brands kept coming back. We spotted a gap in the market where we could really make a difference with the kind of proposition we’ve had in our minds. One Spring, we simply decided to give it a shot. Three and a half years later - we are ready to show a glimpse of what we’ve been working on! - Dominika Leveau

What is Tameko?

TAMEKO is a brand-new name in home textiles focusing on timeless design and supreme quality that allows our textiles to be a backdrop to everyday life and tell a thousand stories in years to come. The first collection includes luxurious bedding, elegant table linens, and sophisticated interior textiles, all reflecting a deep appreciation for tactile materials and Scandinavian aesthetics.

How do the two of you know each other?

Over the past few years, we’ve been collaborating closely on massimo copenhagen. We are both very driven and hard working - we clicked from day-one - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

I met Chim shortly after moving from London to Copenhagen through mutual friends in the design world. He has a great experience with producing quality textiles - not only rugs, but also other home textiles. His knowledge of the product, production techniques but also the market is rather impressive. I come from an international business background with experience in early- stage start-up development, and since establishing myself in Denmark, I run a small creative agency. It is pretty easy to see how our skills and expertise complement each other. We’ve been brainstorming strategies together and uplifting massimo’s brand for some time now. We share the same vision, have a very good dialogue and team dynamic. A strong foundation for our venture with TAMEKO - Dominika Leveau

How did the idea come about to create Tameko?

For a while, I was looking into establishing a complementary brand to our rug universe at massimo. Same high standards, appreciation for design, and attention to sustainability principles. TAMEKO was meant to simply be an extension and continuation of what we do at massimo but creating textile products other than rugs. Shortly after we began working on this project - we both quickly realized that it was going to be so much more than what we originally anticipated. The journey so far has been very exciting and there is so much more to look forward to - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt.

During many discussions we’ve had over the years, the subject of creating a brand that elevates the experience and lifts textiles up to a level of other iconic Danish design brands kept coming back. We spotted a gap in the market where we could really make a difference with the kind of proposition we’ve had in our minds. One Spring, we simply decided to give it a shot. Three and a half years later - we are ready to show a glimpse of what we’ve been working on! - Dominika
Leveau

What makes Tameko stand out in comparison with other textile brands

TAMEKO’s first collection shies away from flashy patterns and bright colours, instead giving precedence to the natural qualities of the materials. Celebrating the effortless crinkles of linen and the soft, smooth fibres of cotton. Our approach is to work with nature, putting material at the forefront, and celebrating an honesty in construction allowing form to emerge from function. - Dominika Leveau

The fabrics are the heart and soul of TAMEKO. This means our design and production process differs from other textile brands. We don’t design products and then pick materials. We do it the other way around. Taking a step back, we design and make our own fabrics - before turning them into beautiful products envisioned by the award-winning design studios, such as Space Copenhagen. This level of craftsmanship and flexibility to create exactly what we want, could only be matched in India, where the tradition for textile making is centuries-long. - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

Furthermore, to what Chim said, having the design talent on board is also still rather unique in the textile world. You hear about different creative collaborations, but developing the textiles from pretty much a weave, requires knowledge, skills and - a lot of patience. It takes time to make our products, but they are designed to be timeless and crafted to last. TAMEKO is not part of a “hype culture” and we shy away from one-season wonders. We prefer to slow things down and make something that is treasured for years and passed by generations - Dominika Leveau

This brings me to another aspect that is distinctive about TAMEKO: labeling. A lot of thought went into it. And in the end, we decided to keep the branding on the products to a minimum. We believe that the quality of our products will speak for themselves. There is no need to advertise at the dinner table or in somebody’s bedroom. If you know, you know. And we trust our customers will come back for more and gift TAMEKO to their beloved after trying our products for themselves. - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

Aaaaand this is why we wrap every product in a luxurious box - ready for gifting. As you can see we can go on, and on, and on…But let’s stop here and don’t spill all the tea at once! - Dominika Leveau

What is the vision of Tameko?

The vision of TAMEKO is best described by our motto: “Fabrics for life”. On one hand, TAMEKO aims to bring back the past traditions, where linens were seen as keepsakes to treasure - quality fabrics lasting a lifetime, often passed by generations. On the other, encouraging us to elevate our daily life, suggesting that beauty should be woven into, quiet, everyday moments, and not stored away for special occasions. - Dominika Leveau

And in terms of our vision for the future of TAMEKO, we plan to slowly but steadily introduce more product categories, and more variations when it comes to sizes, colours and fabrics. The Collection 001 is a start. A beautiful introduction and in some sense a foundation of the TAMEKO’s textile universe - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

What is your favourite product so far and why?

This is a difficult one, as I am a big fan of what Signe and Peter (Space Copenhagen) designed for TAMEKO. I like that our products are thoughtful - every little detail has been considered not only in how they look, but how they are being used and lived with. But If I have to choose, for me, it is probably the table collection. Placemats, table runners and napkins. I generally love to host. I believe making your table look beautiful shows effort and excitement. Adding a beautiful placemat or folding a napkin on top of the plate somehow changes the mood and makes simple Sunday breakfast a moment to remember. - Dominika Leveau

Our bed linen is my favourite. It was the first product that my kids picked from the samples. For a long while, those couple of samples were constantly in the wash and use on repeat! They simply didn’t want any other bed linen - and we didn’t have any more in stock, as we were still in the development stage. It really did put the quality to test! Those early samples still look great, even after hundreds of washes. And the kids still enjoy them. Coming from dad and a person who is responsible for the production-side of things at TAMEKO - this is definitely a reason for me to like our bed linens so much :D - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

What does considerate textiles mean to you?

For us, considerate textiles mean a holistic approach to everything we do that promotes quality and responsibility. From choosing the materials that minimize the environmental impact, to designing products that last. Producing quality textiles in an ethical way in places where tradition for this kind of craft exists for centuries.

Why do we need another textile brand?

A new brand can enrich the industry, promote positive change, and cater to evolving consumer demands. More brands lead to greater consumer choice, allowing individuals to find products that resonate with their values and lifestyles. I think healthy competition encourages brands to push boundaries with technology and materials, driving advancements that can benefit the entire industry. - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

In my opinion, we don’t need another textile brand that does exactly the same as everyone is doing already. But I do believe we need more brands that are changing things up. At TAMEKO we say that our products are “Inspired by the past. Designed for the future.” - and what we mean by this is that while we aim to bring back old traditions of quality textiles, we want to do it in an innovative way. We want to move as far away from the - poor quality, fast-paced trends, and general perception that textiles are something to buy cheap, use carelessly and throw away - as we can. I think new brand that wants to help make this change should be more than welcomed. - Dominika Leveau

How did you discover this factory in Karur, India?

I discovered the factory in Karur through years of experience in the textile industry, where I’ve had the privilege of working with various factories across India. Through my role at Massimo Copenhagen, I’ve developed strong, long-standing relationships with artisans and workshops, which has allowed me to build a network of trusted partners over time. The decision to collaborate with the Karur workshop for our first collection was far from random; it was driven by the exceptional level of craftsmanship and expertise they bring, which was essential for creating the unique fabrics we envisioned for //Collection001. We always aim for the best in quality and skill, and Karur stood out for their ability to deliver the intricate, refined work we were looking for. Moving forward, depending on the material or technique required for each new collection, we may collaborate with other artisan teams who specialize in those areas. The goal is always to work with the finest craftsmanship to ensure that every piece reflects our commitment to quality and artistry. - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt.

Is Tameko producing mostly for interior design projects or ready-made products for stores?

TAMEKO’s first collection was launched as ready-made products, designed for anyone to enjoy and bring into their homes. However, thanks to our extensive experience in working with interior design projects and our ability to accommodate custom orders of any size, we’re already able to offer tailored solutions as well. This flexibility is something we take great pride in, especially given that TAMEKO is a new brand. It also sets us apart in the contract market, where there’s an increasing demand for more refined, authentic, and tactile products - but usually the distinctive artisanal brands are not able to do that. We see this as a unique opportunity to offer something truly special for both individual customers and larger, more bespoke projects alike. - Dominika Leveau

What can we expect for Tameko in 2025, are there more collaborations and special collections coming soon?

2025 is shaping up to be a truly exciting year for us. We soft-launched TAMEKO in the second half of last year, and it’s been wonderful to see some of our pieces already selling out! Moving forward, we’ll be expanding the collection by adding more product varieties in the fabrics our first customers have loved most, along with introducing new colours. On top of that, we’re working on two thrilling collaborations. One is in connection with a new hotel opening in Europe, and the other takes us into the world of wellness. These projects are still under wraps, so I can’t share too much just yet, but we’re really looking forward to revealing them when the time is right! - Chim Scavenius-Sonne Schmidt

What are some of the local landmarks, cafes and restaurants in Copenhagen you could recommend to our readers?

Breakfast or quick coffee stop - Studio X Kitchen or Kismet - both near Kongens Have, which invites for a stroll. Brunch - Lido - which is also close to DAC (Danish Architecture Center). For classic Smorrebrød my favourite is restaurant Møntegade - the atmosphere and the menu are wonderful. For a winner-dinner it must be Bistro Boheme or Maison - both have amazing French influenced menus that suit any taste and dietary preference, made by excellent chefs. Bistro Boheme is close to the Danish Design Museum - which also has a great cafe, FORMAT. After a visit at the museum, I would recommend a walk by the water towards Nyhavn, passing by Amalieborg and Offelia Plads. And if you feel like dressing up a little and mingling by the bar with a great cocktail - my personal favourites are Levi and Esmee. - Dominika Leveau