Nikari — Dreamscapes in Wood
In the ethereal embrace of time's flowing river, Nikari unfurled its narrative tapestry in the enchanted year of 1967, nestled along the beguiling banks of the Nikkarinkoski. This mystical birthplace, resonating with the sylvan echoes of Seinäjoki, bore witness to the inception of a legacy steeped in the artistry of woodcraft. A whimsical dance of words birthed the appellation 'Nikari,' a harmonious medley intertwining the Finnish term "nikkari," an ode to the masterful cabinet maker, the poetic moniker of Nikkarinkoski, translating to "the river stream of the cabinet maker," and the visionary maestro behind it all, Kari Virtanen.
In the realm of Nikari, the very essence of nature's cyclical ballet finds expression in the sinuous grains of wood, an arboreal symphony conducting a timeless opus. Wood, the sole votary of renewable provenance, dons its mantle for an enchanting duet with the realms of construction and furniture craftsmanship.
Separat Space Divider. Design by Cecilie Manz.
Harmonizing Sustainability: The Kaleidoscopic Symphony of Renewable Energy
Beholden to the kaleidoscopic hues of sustainability, the sanctum—a sanctified trinity comprising the head office, studio, and workshop—resonates with the dulcet hum of next-generation renewable energy, a lyrical sonnet emanating from the hydro power plant nestled harmoniously by their haven.
Separat Space Divider —“The simple and carefully detailed Separat space divider lets the wooden surfaces speak.
The clever natural tanned leather hinge grows old together with the wooden components, creating a beautiful patina.”
The arboreal bounty, hewn with a discerning gaze, finds its genesis in the proximate Fiskars sawmill, a symbiotic neighbor in this woodland fable. Drawn from the verdant tapestry of Northern European forests, these timeworn sentinels stand testament to the tenets of sustainability and biodiversity. Here, within the sanctified walls of Nikari, craftsmanship is an alchemy of solid wood, upholstery materials, fabric, joints adhesives, and surface treatment materials, each imbued with the spirit of eco-conscious discernment.
Timeless Artistry
A choreography of longevity defines Nikari’s creations. Crafted with an artisanal precision that transcends epochs, the upholstery parts, tethered to wood by the metallic embrace of screws, beckon the promise of renewal, ensuring an enduring dalliance with time. A symphony of ecological ethos cascades upon their creations, as oil, wax, and soap, akin to enchanted elixirs, grace the surface with an ethereal patina.
In the realm of design, Nikari is an arbiter of ambition and contemporaneity, a paean to the venerable Nordic craftsmanship philosophy. With an air of restraint and serenity, their designs bow in reverence to the very essence of wood. A chameleon of elegance, Nikari furniture weaves seamlessly into the tapestry of diverse interiors, a transcendent dialogue echoing through the corridors of time.
We had a meeting with Johanna Vuorio, the CEO of Nikari, to delve further into the concept behind the brand.
Hi Johanna, so nice to meet you. Can you share with us the origin story of Nikari?
We want to create beautiful, long-lasting wooden furniture according to our over 50-year old original idea of combining modern design with the Finnish craftsmanship tradition. Today it feels more important than ever to take into account all the different qualities of a proper product from high-quality design and functionality to sustainable production. Some background information: https://nikari.fi/far-from-the-tree/.
How would you describe Nikaris design philosophy, and how has it evolved over the years?
Characterised by an ambitious and contemporary approach, the design of Nikari furniture is deeply rooted in the traditional Nordic craftsmanship philosophy. Restrained and serene, the design respects the essence of wood. Nikari furniture fits naturally into interiors from various periods.
What role does Finnish culture, tradition, and nature play in Nikari's design process and the aesthetics of Nikari's products?
Our design processes start with the material and its characteristics - and the Finnish culture of appreciating modesty together with minimalism, as well as the knowhow of traditional craftsmanship is echoed in the forms and the finishing of every product. We live surrounded by forests and lakes and wish to make all our decisions based on the respect for generations before and after us - in harmony with nature.
What are some unique or unconventional materials or techniques you have experimented with in your designs, and how have they influenced your work?
We work with wood, which is at the same time both new, unique and traditional. This material influences our work with its peculiarities. It challenges us both in design and in manufacturing: it has its saying in all the end results.
Sustainability has become a crucial aspect of modern design. How does Nikari incorporate environmentally friendly practices into its production processes and design choices?
We use only green energy in all our manufacturing (we have a local hydro power plant located next to our building), we research all the surface finishing materials and other add-on materials such as the upholsteries carefully in order to find the best option both ecologically as well as technically. The packaging and the transportation is developed constantly according to the best possibilities available to us and naturally we source our wood material safely. Alas, a sense of generational responsibility is at the core of Nikari’s operations. We aspire to manufacture furniture that withstands the test of time, both in terms of practicality and aesthetics — carefully designed and crafted furniture that will last as long as possible. Of course, minds and needs may change over time; but, in such cases, Nikari’s quality and durability ensures that a once loved piece of furniture will find second love, in another home. In this way, Nikari’s solid wood furniture is a good investment in a double sense, retaining its financial value as well as an ecological value, as an enduring carbon sink. When using wood as our material, our carbon footprint in that area is basically zero. Although we were aware of our near zero footprint, it still came as a pleasant surprise when the emissions report confirmed this fact. We are happy about it and, at the same time, we focus on those aspects where we can further improve our operations.
