A Profound and Rich Core

”Nikari has always been associated in my mind with extremely high-quality carpentry and a deep, visible appreciation for materials. When I began discussing the possibility of continuing the company with its founder, Kari Virtanen and his business partner Rudi Merz, I learned a lot about their perspective on the significance of craftsmanship, natural materials, and aesthetics.

Nikari’s foundation is built on profound thinking and understanding design, product manufacturing, and wood as a material. Craftsmanship is at the heart of it all. The company’s history is also linked to iconic Finnish names like Kaj Franck and Alvar Aalto, with whom Kari Virtanen collaborated during the early days. Together with a dear friend and our creative director, Jenni Roininen, we have had a chance to develop this story forward.

Crafting timeless furniture

Nikari’s products are durable and ecological, each exuding the tactile quality of the material. Despite being produced in small series, each piece is unique due to its natural solid wooden body. Our goal is to create poetic products that exude sophistication, tranquility, and dignity. Nikari’s works are never fleeting; our aim is to craft furniture that stands the test of time in every sense. It feels meaningful to continue on this path and leave a mark on it.

“When I began discussing the possibility of continuing the company with its founder, Kari Virtanen and his business partner Rudi Merz, I learned a lot about their perspective on the significance of craftsmanship, natural materials, and aesthetics.” — Johanna Vuorio

Creative design studio

At Nikari we like to stay creative, brainstorm in our own way and collaborate across borders. My task is to look at things on a broad scale and envision grand lines towards a relevant, hopeful future, although I enjoy taking part in every sector of the company from product development, manufacturing decision, or graphic design to the finances, too.

I’m inspired by the movements and harmonies of people, things, colors, light, words, sounds, details… and I believe in giving ideas and thoughts ample space. I belong to the group of people whose minds are constantly brimming with thoughts, so the environment must be open and calm. Establishing optimal conditions for creative work is essential: everything must function, and the workspace should be receptive and permissive. Creativity flourishes in a safe atmosphere where ideas can be freely explored. Small steps are equally important to bigger ones – and in all decisions we should think about how they affect the future generations.

Talented Team

I’m incredibly proud of the fantastic gang we have at Nikari. We have worked together for quite a long time, and the collective knowledge we’ve gained is invaluable. The synergy of many minds is always superior to one. We’ve managed to preserve and develop Nikari’s original spirit and philosophy. Nikari is like a precious gem passed down from generation to generation – a delicate and beautiful story from Finland. Now it’s in our hands, and someday we’ll pass it on to the next.”