I have always believed in doing less but better. It is not laziness. It is conservation of time, energy and space.
That belief became the starting point for Studio Huske.
As an architect I learned to see systems everywhere. At home I began to notice the same inefficiencies: the endless tidying, the small frustrations that filled the hours. After becoming a parent those inefficiencies multiplied.
I wanted less friction. I wanted calm.
Design for me is never decoration. It is response. Noticing a problem and finding a gentler way through it.
Studio Huske grew from that instinct: to create durable, tactile pieces that make home life smoother.
During the pandemic our home became everything at once. Office, classroom, playground, refuge. With two toddlers and a floor that never seemed to stay clean I began designing a play mat that could shift with us. Beautiful enough to live with, strong enough to live on. That became the first Huske product.
What started as a personal solution slowly became a collection. Each design was shaped by that same question.
How can one object do more, last longer, and feel better in daily use?
Most baby brands start from what other baby brands have done. The starting point here was the floor itself, what babies actually do on it, where they push, where food lands, how long they stay in one spot before moving somewhere else.
That observation shaped the mat, not market research into what other play mats look like.
The inspiration for Studio Huske did not come from other play mat brands. It came from Swiss hospitality design, where a floor surface gets chosen for how it performs over years, not just how it looks in a photo. And from interior architecture, where the decision to leave something out is as deliberate as the decision to include it.
Kate’s background is architecture. That shapes what the mats are made of, how they lie, and what they do not need.
The material
Every play mat is made from silicone leather, certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I, the most stringent level, approved for direct contact with baby skin. It is the same material grade as baby pacifiers.
Not vinyl. Not PVC. A completely different material.
Production takes place in Korea with a specialist manufacturer whose standards match mine. Every batch is tested. The mats are packed in Switzerland by Zueriwerk, a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities.
Between Ireland and Switzerland
I am originally from Ireland and now live in Uster, near Zurich, raising my children between both cultures.
One full of stories, the other built on precision. Huske sits somewhere in between. Emotional but disciplined. Practical but soft.
Living in Switzerland has shaped everything I value about quality and restraint. Good design here is not about luxury. It is about clarity and responsibility. Buy well, buy once. That philosophy sits in everything I make.
The mat never needs washing. It is always ready. For a parent, that is not a small thing.
Portability turned out to be the feature I reach for most. Fold it into a bag and something always comes up.
Studio Huske is about systems that support life. Fewer objects, less noise.
My principles
Three ideas guide everything I design.
- 01 Keep it simple. Strip away anything that does not serve a purpose.
- 02 Low impact, high performance. A mat that disappears when not needed and works hard when it is.
- 03 Texture and colour that feel good to touch. Not loud, not trend-driven. Made to last years, not seasons.
"Once you go Huske you never want to go back. The most practical product in the house."
Verified buyer, SwitzerlandCommon questions
What is Studio Huske?
A Swiss-based design studio creating silicone leather play mats for families. Every mat is designed to handle the mess, movement, and unpredictability of life with small children, without compromising on how your home looks or feels.
Who is behind Studio Huske?
Kate Gannon, an architect originally from Ireland, now based in Uster near Zurich. Kate designed the first play mat during the pandemic as a practical solution for her own family, and it grew from there into a full collection.
What are the mats made of?
100% silicone leather. Not PVC, not EVA foam, not vinyl. Silicone is the same material grade used in baby pacifiers. Every mat is Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I certified, the most stringent level, meaning it is safe for direct contact with baby skin.
Where are the mats made?
Production takes place in Korea with a specialist manufacturer. The mats are then packed and shipped from Switzerland by Zueriwerk, a social enterprise that employs people with disabilities.
Are the mats safe for babies?
Yes. The silicone leather is Oeko-Tex Standard 100, Class I certified, which means it has been independently tested and approved for direct contact with baby skin and mouths. The mats contain no BPA, no phthalates, no formamide, and no PVC.
If you have ever stood in a room scattered with toys and thought there must be a simpler way, you already understand why this brand exists.
Kate
From CHF 39. One mat, years of use, no replacements. Free shipping above CHF 125.
See sizes and coloursKate also writes on The Journal, read about her writing and background. See the Clara San Millan tote bag collaboration. Explore our IKEA Kura bed hack plans for a hands-on project.