Nikari is a contemporary wood design studio and furniture manufacturer from Finland. It’s production is currently based in the village of Fiskars, a national heritage site and centre of arts and crafts.
Originally I got to know the company at the Salone del Mobile fair a few years back, and the brand stayed with me ever since. I’m insanely happy to feature them on the blog and proud to see they’re paving the way for a new era of Finnish furniture design.
I decided to get in contact with Johanna Vuorio, managing director of Nikari, to understand what’s under the hood as the company continues to expand abroad.
ARKITECTURE table by Kari Virtanen, designed in 1992 and CAFÉ CLASSIC stools by Rudi Merz from 1999. © Nikari.
First things first Johanna, can you tell me a little bit about the origins of Nikari?
Nikari’s story began in 1967 when cabinetmaker Kari Virtanen set up his one-man wood workshop in the south of Finland. His curiosity to explore innovative methods of carpentry led his first studio years filled with close collaborations with Finnish masters of architecture and design. Kaj Franck and Alvar Aalto influenced his designs as well as work methods.
However, the backbone of Nikari’s studio was always to preserve traditional wood carving- and surface coating methods. Back in the 1970s this was not a topic much talked about, so we’re proud to have been forerunners on the debate about sustainable manufacturing.
In 2016 Nikari invited twelve different designers to participate with their interpretation of Nikari using only Finnish wood. These pieces were created for January 2016, sofa tables JANUARY by Harri Koskinen. © Nikari.
Can you tell me a little bit about Nikari in the current furniture market?
For decades Nikari operated solely in in Finland. In 2012 we made the decision to go beyond the local market and participated in our first foreign furniture fairs.
LINEA sofa by Jenni Roininen in 2015, DECEMBER XL chair Jasper Morrison & Wataru Kumano in 2014 and APRIL sofa tables by Alfredo Häberli from the 2016 series. © Nikari.
We’ve worked hard and been active in shows every year, the Stockholm Design Fair being one just now in February. We’ve also teamed up with international designers such as Wataru Kumano, Louise Campbell, Alfredo Häberli and Jasper Morrison to share Nikari’s story and see what Finnish craftsmanship inspires them to create.
DECEMBER XL chair by Jasper Morrison & Wataru Kumano in 2014. © Nikari.
APRIL Tables by Alfredo Häberli, 2016. © Nikari.
I think Nikari’s focus on sustainable, durable and timeless wooden design from Finland is an attractive currency on the international furniture market right now.
Additionally, the expertise in wood craftsmanship that Virtanen has passed down to more junior makers in the company as our history place us as an important. And hopefully also an inspiring player in the current furniture market.
ARTE ALVAR tray by Alvar Aalto. © Nikari.
ARKIPELAGO table by Kari Virtanen in 2010 SEMINAR bar chair also by Kari from 1997. Hanging LED pendants by Jenni Roininen, 2014. © Nikari.
What would you say are some of the elements that make you a very Nordic brand?
Nature and especially wood is a central part of Nordic society. I’d argue wood is also such an incremental part of Nordic society that we don’t even think twice about us having been avant-garde or modern for using it for so long. It’s been an economical and ecological solution for us throughout time.
Having the sawmill close to Nikari’s headquarters empowers cabinetmakers as well as designers to guarantee the finest quality starting from the design process all the way to the finished product © Nikari.
Since 2014 we have a hydraulic power plant which gives us a 100% of our electricity as well. We also use mainly northern European wood species. I think this gives the pieces a very authentic Nordic soul. Our sawmill is right next to us here in Fiskars which allows our production to be fast when needed as well. At Nikari, we’ve always incorporated sustainable, biodegradable waxes and oils in our production too.
A quick snap of some of the beauty of Fiskars. © Nikari.
Another thing that makes our brand a very Nordic one is that we aim to create design which is relevant today but is both timeless in aesthetic and production. We see our products and the way we make them being relevant decades, if not centuries. In every step of the design process we keep things simple, functional and minimalistic.
Nature and especially wood is a central part of Nordic society. PERIFERIA sauna stool from 1997 by Kari Virtanen is a classic Nikari example of how their wooden designs are timeless, sustainably made and durable for everyday rituals. © Nikari.
That’s interesting! Could you detail a little more on your design process?
Our process varies depending on the product and the designer we work with. However, the idea is to stay true to our core values. We always start with the raw material itself. I think it’s fair to say all cabinetmakers want to work with the most beautiful pieces of wood they can. Each wood has its own characteristic and we want each design to cherish and respect that.
Detail of a cabinetmaker at work at the Nikari sawmills in Fiskars. © Nikari.
We set off developing a theme for the year, which helps us define which products we’ll be developing. Overall we just make sure we really enjoy the creative journey that year takes us on.
LINEA PERCH stools in a kitchen setting. Design by Wesley Walters and Salla Luhtasela. © Nikari.
Going forward, any particular projects coming up for Nikari we can look out for?
The next big stop is the infamous Salone del Mobile now this April. We are really excited as we will reveal a new range of products from our design collaborations with designer (who won the award for Designer of the Year) Cecilie Manz and Stockholm-based Claesson Koivisto Rune. Have to admit we are really looking forward to sunny warm Milan days after this long, cold Finnish winter! After Milan, in May come and visit us at 3 DAYS OF DESIGN in Copenhagen!
The Nikari management team clockwise from left; CEO Johanna Vuorio, Creative Director Jenni Roininen and founder Kari Virtanen. © Nikari.