Dinesen and John Pawson Launch New Furniture Collection

Dinesen, Denmark’s leading manufacturer of handcrafted wooden flooring and products, has launched a bespoke furniture collection with revered British architectural designer John Pawson, to celebrate 30 years of collaboration. The Pawson Furniture Collection is based on the span of a Dinesen floorboard, whose pared-back forms consequently appear to be lifted directly out of the floor. This served as the inspiration and guiding principle behind both the Dining Series and the complementary new Lounge Series.

Having previously collaborated on projects of varying scale and type—including private homes, exhibitions, museums and chapels, the new furniture collection distills the ethos of the Danish word Umage, which means going beyond what is expected or considered possible, as it expands this sense of progression that Dinesen and Pawson bring to their work.

The origins of the Pawson Furniture Collection for Dinesen can be traced back to 1992 when John Pawson created an original furniture collection solely for Pawson House in London. While designing his private home in Notting Hill, John discovered Dinesen and opted for Douglas fir planks for the flooring. This decision led to the innovative use of uncut planks laid from the front to the back of the house and the creation of a table and stools from boards of corresponding width. A commission unlike anything Dinesen had previously delivered, its success ignited a lifelong friendship and business partnership between Thomas Dinesen, fourth generation and John Pawson. Their enduring collaboration continues to thrive today.

Pawson’s vision saw the floor become a crucial architectural element, and the bespoke furniture for Pawson House further championed Dinesen’s joinery in new and unexpected ways. The Dining Series features a table, bench, and stool, originally conceptualised by John Pawson in 1992 and updated with a shadow gap detail for this collection. The top and legs of the dining table are fabricated from two boards, with the shadow gap now subtly highlighted using a combination of Douglas fir planks and Dinesen Oak inserts. Stools and benches, constructed from single Douglas fir boards with solid central spines, complete the collection.

The Lounge Series is a new, complimentary addition to the original Dining Series, features pieces crafted from solid Douglas wood, including a lounge chair, lounge table, sofa, and daybed. Skilled local cabinet makers in Denmark have built the wooden frames, which are then upholstered with textiles sourced from the renowned Danish textile company Kvadrat. Each piece is made to order, allowing customers to select their preferred textile from Kvadrat's extensive upholstery library. The sofa and armchair showcase the boards on the side elevation, while the cushions continue the theme of assembled and layered elements. Similarly, the daybed and coffee table are conceived as lower iterations of the dining table, creating a cohesive and harmonious collection.

John Pawson reflects on the design of collection for Dinesen, remarking “When I look at this new furniture collection for Dinesen, I see the essence of the thinking that has shaped my work since the beginning. Everything about these pieces is pared back to the logic and poetry of the wood. The dimensions of the timber determine the proportions of the forms and then it’s all about the inherent sensory character of the material.”

Thomas Dinesen, fourth generation at Dinesen, comments on the new furniture collection: “When we met John Pawson in 1992, we provided planks only for castles, manors, and churches, and at that time, they were conical Douglas fir planks only. He was the first to request our wood for a private home, and he wanted planks of the same width (450 mm). John Pawson has in many ways changed our relationship with the 'plank' from a restoration material for historic buildings to a design element in modern architecture."

The Pawson and Dinesen relationship was first struck with Thomas Dinesen in 1992. Since Thomas stepped down in 2021, his son Hans Peter has taken the reins to continue the family’s connection with Pawson for this new furniture launch.

Hans Peter Dinesen, fifth generation, says of the new collection: "More than 30 years after Dinesen and John Pawson first met, we reflect on how far we have come but also to shape our future course. John has had a great impact on the way we view architecture and wood. When John ordered our wood for the first time in 1992, it was a renaissance for our flooring and the plank itself that became a furniture collection. Together with Pawson, we have refined our Heritage Furniture collection and added new pieces to pay tribute to our shared joy in the simple and timeless."

Photography by Claus Troelsgaard

VIEW STORY

Grand Reopening of CULT's Auckland Showroom

After a meticulous year-long restoration and renovation effort following damages caused by flooding, CULT Design has reopened the doors to its Auckland showroom. Nestled in the heart of Parnell, Auckland’s vibrant furniture district, the new space boasts a total area of 300 square metres and showcases an extensive collection of high-quality design from Australia and Europe.

Located amidst a bustling creative culture and numerous art galleries, the building originally served as the ice storage for all of Auckland, and holds a rich historical significance. Its transformation into a contemporary space mirrors the evolution of both the city and Cult’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of design.

Since expanding their offerings to the New Zealand market in 2006, Cult has witnessed the continuous growth and maturity of the country’s design industry. The impressive standard of New Zealand architecture and interior design, evolving year after year, has fostered a deeper appreciation for high-quality, designer products.

As a testament to the brand’s dedication to the discerning New Zealand market, the showroom features an extensive collection of high-quality, innovative designs. From modern aesthetics to timeless classics, the curated selection reflects the ever-evolving tastes of the New Zealand design community.

Furniture, lighting, and accessories brands available at the Cult Auckland showroom include well-known Australian collections from nau and Coco Flip, handcrafted rugs from nanimarquina, plus Danish design houses &Tradition, Carl Hansen & Son, Fredericia, Fritz Hansen, Gubi, HAY, and more.

Welcoming design enthusiasts, industry professionals, and the local community to join in celebrating the grand reopening of their Auckland showroom, Cult’s knowledgeable and passionate retail team are on hand to help visitors find the perfect forever pieces for their homes or projects.

Photography by David St George courtesy of CULT

VIEW STORY

Maison Denison by ADHOC Architectes

The small hamlet of Denison Mills, located in the Eastern Townships of Québec, Canada, was established by the Denison family, American settlers, nearly 200 years ago. The hamlet was once home to 150 inhabitants and was located along the road that connected Quebec City to Boston. Today, only four buildings remain, including the flour mill, which was converted into a private residence after being classified as a heritage site in 1973. ADHOC Architectes has now been tasked with restoring and adapting the annex of the Denison family's farm house, to meet the needs of the new occupants, a couple with a passion for history and literature, who settled there in 2006 to raise their three children.

Choosing to preserve the architectural heritage of the building, the clients sought to increase their living space by converting the historic outbuilding of the house into a library that opens to the outside, office, garage, and future dormitory. ADHOC Architectes' work on this home in the Val-des-Sources Heritage area has resulted in a peaceful and charming new space that blends in with its surroundings, giving the impression that it has always been there.

The decision to renovate and reuse the existing building rather than demolish it and build anew was made with consideration for the environment. The architects at ADHOC Architectes strengthened the structure using reclaimed hemlock beams. To ensure eco-friendliness, locally produced hemp wool was selected for insulation, and the roof was made of durable sheet metal. This renovation not only showcases sensitivity to the architectural heritage but also demonstrates a commitment to sustainability.

“While some historic buildings built in Quebec are falling into disrepair and see their future uncertain, the owners of this bicentennial residence have chosen to renovate, rather than demolish and rebuild. The Denison project thus pays homage to the regional character of ancestral farmhouses, while adapting them for today's needs,” says Jean-François Saint-Onge, creative director and partner at ADHOC Architectes.

In the 1830s, the main stone house was built with a focus on thermal comfort. The surrounding landscape, used for agriculture, was designed for productive value instead of its scenic beauty. This resulted in a gradual addition of annex buildings that split the 83-acre site into two parts.

To reconnect the new residents with nature, the architects installed large windows on either side of the building. During the summer, these openings provide access to the outdoors and in the colder months, they bring in natural light and offer views of the surrounding agricultural land and forest.

Like a changing landscape over time, the volumes of the residence express the contrast of their respective eras through their design. The exterior of the annex features a harmonious blend of cedar shingles, white clapboard, and metallic materials in grey steel and black awning, complementing the stone house. The annex and stone house have always been connected, with ADHOC Architectes preserving the existing openings and repositioning the entrance to consolidate the two structures.

The connecting space on the ground floor has been transformed into an entrance vestibule that separates the original spaces of the stone house and the new, contemporary spaces in the annex. The architects played with heights and selected materials, such as a slate floor, to create a smooth transition. This flooring is a nod to the historical quarries of Shipton Township and the exterior cladding of the house.

The new living space is a place dedicated to literature, with a modular winter reading room and an office overlooking the space. The first step in the renovation was to stabilize the structure of the building, which had sagged over time. The use of the full height of the cathedral ceiling helps to add volume and diffuse light throughout the room. The application of a mixture of natural materials, with wood chosen in neutral tones, gives a harmonious, contemporary, and nevertheless timeless character to the room. The millwork installed along the walls, veneered in local white oak wood, is done in the book match style of the 1970s and is contrasted by a polished concrete slab. Upstairs, the ceiling is made of wooden laths, painted white, and is supported by exposed beams to add a more rustic touch.

All in all, this project unites ADHOC Architects' philosophy of architectural preservation, conserving the context’s heritage with Dominique and Valery’s love for history and literature. By bringing these shared values to the building, they have added to its legacy and written a new chapter in the history of Maison Denison. With the devoted care of Dominique Lebel and Valery Pigeon's family, the Denison site has a bright future ahead.

Credits

Architect: ADHOC Architectes

General contractor: Constructions Namasté

Photograpy: Maxime Brouillet

VIEW STORY

Wadham Gardens by Ohra Studio

Wadham Gardens by London-based Ohra Studio perfectly exemplifies the less is more approach. Tired of being surrounded by excess, the clients enlisted Ohra for their signature aesthetic, which combines minimalism, soothing colour palettes and natural ecological materials while emphasizing simplicity and comfort. Together, they focused on the essentials, creating a light and airy space that perfectly captures the modern London spirit.

Initially, the project team, led by Ochra Studio CEO Zlata Rybchenko, focused on the clients’ lifestyle, ensuring elements that were integral to this (such as their piano for home musical events) and those essential to the interior design were incorporated. The result is a calm and cosy atmosphere that serves as a stage for the owners' beautiful collection of art and furniture, such as the Philippe Hurel Yumi Sofa designed by Laurène B. Tardrew & Romain Jourdan, the marble coffee table by Stahl+Band, the Menu Androgyne Dining Table, Flos Wireline Suspension Lamp and a painting by Oliver Watts.

Wooden elements are integrated throughout the project to add warmth and character, with American walnut panelling helping to create a sense of privacy without sacrificing natural light.

The living room, kitchen and dining area feature concrete floors, while the bedrooms and family rooms are finished with a warmer palette of wood to bring a sense of comfort. Crafted from natural materials, the kitchen exudes minimalism, purposely absent of any non-essential items. That way it can be filled with what’s most important to the owners - food, guests and conversations. The kitchen connects with the main space of the living area, which is divided into two parts – the piano area and the relaxation zone near the fireplace.

The restrained material palette and neutral colours create a calming, tranquil atmosphere, while the carefully curated selection of art and furniture provides a subtle visual interest. Wooden elements and clean lines add a sense of warmth and richness, and large windows allow natural light to flood the space.

By paring down the owner's belongings to what they truly love and need, Ohra Studio has created a home that not only reflects their style and personality but one that feels both sophisticated and inviting.

Images courtesy of Ohra Studio

VIEW STORY