Nikari is a wood design studio and furniture manufacturer, whose story began in the Ostrobothnia region of Finland. In 1967, at the age of 19, Kari Virtanen opened up his workshop, having learnt woodworking from elder masters. This one-man venture soon built itself a name by receiving commissions from the likes of architect Alvar Aalto and designer Kaj Franck. Intrigued by the vast selection of tree species available locally, Nikari moved to Fiskars in 1993, an old ironworks and village which, at the time, was developing into a melting pot collective for artisans.
Expertise on the species of wood growing in northern Europe remains a defining feature of Nikari’s work. The atelier’s cabinetmakers transform specimens from the Finnish forest into Scandinavian furniture design pieces, made mainly out of birch, oak, ash and also leather, meant for indoor use. Nikari is also involved in interior design projects from private homes to public spaces such as churches, universities, concert halls, hotels and restaurants.
Nikari
