Nikari launches partnership with Woodnotes |

NIKARI LAUNCHES PARTNERSHIP

WITH WOODNOTES

DESIGN

CEO Johanna Vuorio with April tables, lounge chair December, both Nikari. Carpet from Woodnotes.

Finnish producer Nikari launches a joint partnership with design brand Woodnotes, which produces rugs, curtains, furniture and accessories using the unique material paper yarn, produced in a small spinning mill in Finland.

The venture is based on a long relationship with previous collaborations at international fairs and in pop up stores. Both companies are strongly based on craftsmanship and share a special bond to the raw material wood. Although they will remain as two separate brands, they will draw on each other’s similar values and help push each other in a competitive market. Nikari’s CEO Johanna Vuorio will take the lead for both companies.
”Woodnotes rugs and curtains in paper yarn are really delicate and timeless. We are looking forward to discover new combinations of materials and learning from each other,” Vuorio says.

WORDS

Jonna Dagliden Hunt

Akademia chairs_Basic table_oak_in space1

Academia chairs designed by Wesley Walters & Salla Luhtasela

Nikari was originally established in 1967 by founder and cabinet maker Kari Virtanen, and amongst his long term customers was architect Alvar Aalto and Kaj Franck, both influencing his work strongly. In recent years the company has collaborated with many international designers like Jasper Morrison, Alfredo Häberli and Claesson Koivisto Rune. The company still has its headquarter in the Finnish village Fiskars, with its creative community of designers, craftsmen and artists and a cooperative of more than 100 members.

”It is about 600 people living in the village, so there is almost one artist or craftsman in each family. It brings inspiration and knowledge, and we have the opportunity to learn from true professionals. If you need something from an iron smith, you can just walk next door,” Vuorio explains.

Edi table and bench by Claesson Koivisto Rune.

Arte Osa 3_birch_curly birch details_in space

Shelf Arte Osa in birch

”“We feel there is a growing demand for companies taking proper responsibility. The pandemic has been an awful experience on every level, but it has also offered a chance for society to reset.”

TNE What is sustainability to Nikari today?

JV “The wood we use is mainly supplied by a sawmill next door. Most of the timber comes from Northern European forests and we use tree species which have been cultivated in accordance with the sustainable development policy, like birch, oak, ash, elm, alder, spruce and pine. We are located in the oldest machinery workshop in Finland, powered by a small hydro power plant, and thus we use 100 percent renewable energy in the workshop. We produce half of the furniture in Fiskars and subcontractors in Finland make the rest. We also think about the circular economy a lot; how can our furniture get a second life? We have a project where wooden chips left overs from production are taken to a local farm where they grow shitake mushrooms. Apparently, it is great for the taste.”

TNE How has the pandemic affected you?

JV “We feel there is a growing demand for companies taking proper responsibility. The pandemic has been an awful experience on every level, but it has also offered a chance for society to reset. The pandemic has forced us all to think about the choices we make, and it feels like there is now a chance for a new start on a global scale.”