Shaping Sustainable Futures Through Design
Our Philosophy
At MIO, we see design as a powerful catalyst for change. We’re committed to shifting cultural values towards sustainable and equitable systems, utilizing design, artistry, and science to address complex global challenges and inspire creativity across communities.
Our Journey
From a one-bedroom start-up in 2001 to a trailblazing leader in sustainable design, our journey is a tale of passion, innovation, and resilience.
Discover Our Story
Jaime Salm: Creativity Without Limits
Jaime was always the artistic one in the family, exploring every creative outlet his parents encouraged—ceramics, painting, engraving, carpentry, music, and sculpture. As a teenager, sculpture became his passion. He spent weekends scouring junkyards in nearby towns, removing the passenger seat of his car to haul home rusted gears, beams, and rebar—his raw materials for creation. With an arc welder gifted for his birthday, he transformed metal scraps into art, plugging into the clothes dryer’s 220-volt outlet whenever he had the chance. This was the start of Jaime’s lifelong journey in the art of repurposing.
Isaac Salm: Business for Good
Isaac was sharp, pragmatic, and always a step ahead. As a kid, he kept his growing collection of CDs and model cars in perfect order, untouched by his brothers' chaos. He had an instinct for business—spotting opportunities where others didn’t. During the holidays, he and Jaime repurposed the silicone packaging from imported chocolates into molds for handmade candles, which Isaac sold effortlessly. Navigating deals with older kids and adults, he quickly learned how to read people, anticipate needs, and turn ideas into action. He understood systems—how things worked and how they could work better. These early experiences shaped his empathetic management style and his talent for bridging ideas, industries, and people—skills that would later define MIO’s approach to sustainable design and innovation.
The genesis of MIO was marked by innovation, a bold vision, and a touch of audacity. At their first tradeshow, the Salm brothers proudly introduced their debut collection—thoughtfully designed, sustainably crafted, and unlike anything else on the market. When visitors inquired about their "green products," Isaac quickly realized that sustainability, at the time, was still seen through a narrow lens. People expected muted tones, raw textures, and an aesthetic that signaled eco-consciousness in the most obvious ways. Instead, MIO’s designs were vibrant, modern, and meticulously crafted—not green in color, but green in philosophy. That moment underscored what would become a defining principle of MIO: sustainability doesn’t have to look the way people expect it to. It can be bold, refined, and full of life. It’s not just about the materials used but about rethinking processes, repurposing resources, and challenging conventions. What began as a small, unconventional debut has since evolved into a brand that refuses to compromise between design and responsibility. MIO continues to push boundaries, proving that sustainability is not a limitation—it’s an opportunity to create better products, smarter systems, and a more thoughtful future.
The Hat Trick: A Lesson in Reinvention
A chance visit to a Philadelphia hat shop sparked one of MIO’s most unexpected breakthroughs. Among rows of felt and straw hats, the Salm brothers saw more than headwear—they saw untapped potential. When they learned the hats were handcrafted upstairs using century-old molds, curiosity took over. What if hats weren’t just for heads? That question led to a creative experiment. Instead of shaping the felt into traditional brims and crowns, they flipped the forms upside down, transforming them into sculptural bowls and lampshades. A single-purpose object became something entirely new. This "hat trick" became more than a clever design solution—it defined MIO’s philosophy. Rethink. Repurpose. Reimagine. A hat could be a bowl, just as a factory could be adapted for unexpected possibilities. Sustainability wasn’t just about materials; it was about seeing beyond limits. That mindset still drives MIO today—proof that sometimes, the simplest shift in perspective leads to the most extraordinary ideas.
Our Commitments
MIO’s guiding principle, Responsible Desire, makes sustainability something people genuinely want—not out of guilt, but because it enhances their lives. Through good design, eco-efficient manufacturing, and storytelling, we shift perceptions and values, inspiring choices that naturally lead to reduced waste, smarter consumption, and a healthier planet.
We source with purpose.
Material selection is the foundation of sustainable design. We prioritize mono-materials for easier recyclability and reduced waste contamination while sourcing certified materials like FSC-certified wood products, Red List-free components, and recycled or upcycled resources. Beyond environmental impact, we seek materials with social and ecological benefits, supporting fair labor practices, regenerative production, and waste diversion initiatives. By partnering with manufacturers who share our values, we ensure that every material contributes to a more responsible and sustainable future.
We design for circularity.
Sustainability isn’t just about responsible materials—it’s about designing for longevity, adaptability, and the full product lifecycle. Our products are intentionally crafted to integrate into industrial or natural cycles, ensuring that resources remain in use for as long as possible. We carefully match materials to their use cycles, balancing durability with end-of-life solutions that allow for easy disassembly, reuse, or recycling. By prioritizing modularity and material selection, we create products that not only last but also evolve with changing needs.
We close the loop.
A circular future is only possible if sustainable choices are accessible and intuitive. That’s why we focus on designing for disassembly, material recovery, and responsible disposal. We make it easier for consumers and businesses to participate in circular systems—whether through recycling, upcycling, or return programs. Sustainability shouldn’t be complicated or costly; it should be a seamless part of everyday life. By designing products with clear, actionable end-of-life solutions, we help bridge the gap between good intentions and real environmental impact.
Our Blog
How to Turn One Bedroom into Two – Practical and Legal Tips
Rooms rarely stay what they start as. A bedroom becomes a studio. A nursery becomes a home office. And sometimes, one space needs to become two. That's where modular room dividers or acoustic panels can redefine how you live and work.. Whether you're carving out privacy, creating flexibility, or rethinking how your home works, dividing a single bedroom can be a smart solution. Using a room divider wall or modular partition system can help you transform space affordably and sustainably. The key is knowing your options—what’s temporary, what’s permanent, and what’s required to do it well. Recommended products for this Application [products ids="nomad-system-felt-acoustic-room-dividers, shift-walls-room-dividers"] Room Dividers vs. Permanent Walls: Two Paths to Creating Space Before picking up a tape measure or calling your contractor cousin, it’s important to decide: Is this a permanent renovation or a temporary reconfiguration? Temporary (Modular) Partitions Temporary installations allow you to reimagine space without permanently altering your home. They’re renter-friendly, often tool-free, and beautifully flexible. This route works especially well if your needs might...
Temporary Wall Systems for Homeowners: What You Need to Know
Why contract-thinking and creative flexibility are shaping the future of the home. At MIO, we’ve always believed that great design starts with asking better questions. Like: what if walls could be rethought as tools? What if separation didn’t have to mean permanence? And what if the systems we use in offices, hotels, and public spaces (contract-grade, modular, designed for adaptability) were reimagined for the home? What if a simple modular room divider could redefine how a home feels? Today, we’re living in fluid spaces. Homes have become multi-use environments, working double and triple duty as offices, schools, meditation zones, podcasts studios and nap nests. It’s no longer a luxury to have temporary wall systems, it’s a creative necessity. From acoustic room dividers to modular wall panels, flexible design is changing how we live. Recommended products for this Application [products ids="nomad-system-felt-acoustic-room-dividers, hangout-acoustic-room-divider-single-quilt-copy"] Types of Room Dividers for Homeowners Beyond the Static Wall: A New Landscape of Division Temporary wall systems come in all shapes and setups. But they’re all rooted in...
Nomad System Cardboard: A Classic, Reimagined
Posted by Jaime Salm, MIO Culture Creative Director In 2008, we introduced a product that was unlike anything else in the furnishings market. It was flat-packed, made from cardboard, and designed to create space where there was none. We called it Nomad System, and It quickly became one of the first modern cardboard room dividers built for creativity and flexibility… A tool for shaping interiors, supporting creativity, and bringing structure to the in-between places of our lives. Fifteen years later, Nomad is still doing that work, only now, it’s doing it with improved materials, refined details, and a renewed commitment to the values that inspired it in the first place. Recommended products for this Application [products ids="nomad-system-room-dividers, custom-nomad-room-divider"] Designing for Cardboard, Not Around It The origin of Nomad System is a story we love to tell because it reminds us why we design. While exploring prototypes for a space-making concept, we mocked up the forms using cardboard. We weren’t testing the material; we were testing the scale....
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