Award-Winning Designer Henrik Pedersen on His Modern Outdoor Design and Timeless Teak Collections

“Too often, outdoor spaces are treated as separate environments rather than natural extensions of the home,” shares the longtime Gloster collaborator.

When it comes to outdoor furniture, luxury homeowners want it all: Durability, timeless style, beauty, and comfort. That’s a tall order for brands to rise to, but companies like Gloster have the secret sauce.

Known for inventive, luxury outdoor furniture that lasts for generations, we use a type of wood that has been relied on for 700 years: Teak. We responsibly source this high-end material from Indonesia, but that’s not the only thing we’re sourcing carefully from around the world. We also seek out global talent as visionary design is an essential ingredient for our distinctive, enduring collections.

Since 1960, Gloster has created strong partnerships with internationally-recognized designers to continuously produce meticulously-crafted, modern outdoor furniture and lighting that exceeds expectations. We’ve worked closely with Germany-based designer Sebastian Herkner, British designer Mark Gabbertas, and more. For the past 14 years, award-winning Danish designer Henrik Pedersen has also been a go-to for Gloster, designing over 30 collections for the brand.

Recently, Cottages & Gardens magazine got the chance to chat with Pedersen about his modern outdoor design inspiration, creative philosophy, and approach to designing furniture that enhances life outdoors, but the conversation didn't end there. The interview below includes the original discussion along with two additional questions that offer further insight into Henrik's enduring partnership with Gloster and the design principles that continue to shape his work.

Choosing a favourite design is a little like choosing a favourite child—every collection has its own personality and every project represents a particular moment in time. Each one has contributed something valuable to the evolution of the brand.

That said, Grid will always hold a special place for me. As the first collection designed for Gloster, it marked the beginning of a long creative journey. It also remains one of the brand’s strongest commercial successes, which makes it particularly rewarding. More than anything, it demonstrated that contemporary design and lasting appeal can exist together—a philosophy that has continued to guide our collaboration ever since.

One of the strongest developments is the continued convergence of indoor and outdoor living. The boundaries between the two have become increasingly fluid, and the aesthetic language of outdoor furniture has evolved significantly as a result.

Today, outdoor furniture is no longer confined to traditional expectations. Designers are exploring softer forms, richer materials and more architectural expressions that would once have been associated exclusively with interior spaces. This freedom has opened up exciting new possibilities. Outdoor environments are becoming more sophisticated, more personal and ultimately more integrated with the overall architecture of the home, creating spaces that encourage people to spend more time outside without compromising comfort or design quality.

Yes, design has been a defining part of my life for as long as I can remember. From the age of 13 or 14, I was constantly exploring different creative disciplines—designing clothing, building furniture, and creating fictional interiors. Looking back, I realize I was never interested in just one discipline; I was fascinated by the entire creative process and by the relationship between objects, people, and space.

Those early experiments shaped the way I think today. They taught me to see design as something holistic rather than isolated, where every discipline informs the next. Fashion, interiors, furniture, and architecture all became part of the same creative language. Rather than one defining moment, it has been a continuous journey driven by curiosity and making. Design has never really been a career choice—it has simply been the most natural way for me to understand and engage with the world.

My design philosophy is rooted in two fundamental principles: Honesty and clarity—both in expression and construction. If a design begins to feel forced or unnecessarily complicated, I know it’s time to return to the drawing board. The best designs often appear effortless, but they are usually the result of careful refinement.

I also firmly believe that the more creative disciplines you master within the broader field of design, the more freely you can think. Fashion, graphic design, interior architecture and furniture design constantly influence one another. Working across these disciplines has allowed me to develop a broader perspective, where ideas, materials and proportions move naturally between different scales and contexts. That cross-disciplinary approach has become a defining characteristic of both my process and my work.

Although I had been working as a designer for many years, my relationship with Gloster began around 14 years ago with a trusted design partner who introduced us. Together, we explored where the brand could evolve—identifying opportunities to modernize the collection while respecting Gloster’s heritage and craftsmanship.

Our conversations quickly centered on creating a more contemporary design language without losing the timeless qualities that had always defined the brand. The first result was the Grid sofa collection, which remains one of Gloster’s bestselling collections today. Looking back, it became an important milestone—not only for Gloster, but also for the long-term creative partnership that has continued to evolve ever since.

Teak is naturally one of the finest materials for outdoor furniture because of its exceptionally high natural oil content, which gives it remarkable durability and resistance to harsh weather and coastal environments. Few materials age as gracefully. Over time, teak develops a beautiful silver-grey patina that enhances its character rather than diminishing it.

Beyond its durability, teak possesses another quality that is often overlooked—it is incredibly tactile. Unlike metal or synthetic materials, which can become uncomfortably hot or cold depending on the weather, teak remains pleasant to the touch throughout the seasons. I often notice that people instinctively interact with wooden furniture differently. They run their hands across the surface almost unconsciously. There is a warmth and humanity in wood that creates a stronger emotional connection between the user and the object.

Sustainability has evolved from being an important consideration to becoming a fundamental responsibility. At Gloster, this commitment is deeply embedded throughout the entire production process. With its own teak farms, sawmill and manufacturing facilities, the company has an exceptional level of control over quality, sourcing and environmental responsibility.

At the same time, significant progress has been made in the development of outdoor materials. Many of today’s fabrics, fibres and components are either recycled or fully recyclable, making it possible to reduce the environmental impact without compromising performance or longevity.

Ultimately, I believe the most sustainable product is one that people genuinely value and keep for many years. Timeless design, lasting craftsmanship and responsible production will continue to define the future of sustainable furniture.

Great interiors are never defined by individual pieces alone. They emerge from the dialogue between architecture, furniture, lighting, materials, art and personal objects. The most successful homes are layered, combining contemporary design with pieces that reflect the personality and experiences of the people who live there.

The same principle applies to outdoor living. Too often, outdoor spaces are treated as separate environments rather than natural extensions of the home. When architecture, furniture and landscape are conceived together, the transition becomes almost invisible. Materials, proportions and atmosphere should flow seamlessly between inside and outside, allowing the outdoor space to feel like another room rather than an addition. That continuity creates a richer, more complete living experience.

The inspiration behind Wrap came from the simple idea of a blanket—something that wraps around you or throw over the chair, creating comfort, warmth and a sense of protection. Although the construction of the chair is structurally precise, the visual expression is intentionally soft, organic and flowing, almost as though the upholstery has gently enveloped the frame.

I have always been interested in creating furniture that feels emotionally inviting as well as visually refined. Wrap was very much about translating that feeling into form.

Recognition is never the primary motivation for designing, but it is always gratifying. Receiving an award is a meaningful acknowledgement—not only of the collection itself, but also of the continued relevance of thoughtful, human-centered design.

Designing more than 30 collections for the same brand has been a unique creative opportunity. It allows you to work both deeply and broadly at the same time. Over the years, you develop an intimate understanding of the collection as a whole—where it needs to expand, where there are gaps to fill, and where new ideas can strengthen the overall offering.

What I appreciate most is seeing the collection function as one coherent family rather than a series of disconnected products. Every new design should complement the existing range while contributing something distinctive of its own. Building that kind of long-term continuity is both creatively rewarding and, I believe, one of the greatest strengths of a brand like Gloster.

As an extension of the home, especially in coastal and warm locations, outdoor spaces deserve just as much thought and sophistication as interiors. All you have to do is walk onto the terraces of the finest homes in the Hamptons, Palm Beach, Malibu, and beyond to see how frequently top designers lean on Gloster to create fabulous outdoor environments for their clients.

Every collection is designed with longevity in mind—balancing architectural forms, enduring comfort, thoughtful functionality, and materials that gracefully withstand the elements.

For more than 14 years, Henrik Pedersen's collaboration with Gloster has helped shape a collection of outdoor furniture that balances architectural design, exceptional craftsmanship, and enduring comfort. Explore his collections or contact our team to learn how Gloster can help bring timeless outdoor living to your next project.