Craftmanship - Daniel Mencel

Craftmanship

Design

Our furniture creation is accompanied by an analog design process, where the primary tools are the mind, hand, and pencil. We believe that just as the furniture should be entirely handmade, every line of the design should be drawn by a human hand.

To see how our ideas perform in the real world, we create prototypes. Sometimes multiple versions are necessary to test joint strength, ergonomics, and the final aesthetic. Thanks to prototyping, nothing in the finished design is left to chance.

In our designs, we often follow the principle of the golden ratio – a key to maintaining harmony and creating proportions aligned with nature. The result is a balanced, coherent design.

Material

Material selection is a rigorous process — we choose only defect-free wood pieces with grain patterns that complement the character of the project. We ensure that the wood’s grain and color remain consistent throughout the entire piece, which is why many of our creations are crafted from a single block of wood.

For wood to be stable and predictable, it must undergo a relaxation process. A several-week resting period after initial processing allows the material to reach uniform moisture content, essential for the success of subsequent stages. Proper relaxation minimizes the risk of warping and enhances the furniture’s durability.

Techniques

Our work relies on woodworking methods known for centuries. We use hand tools because only they capture the true character of the craftsman’s hand movements — allowing precision, full control over the material, and the quietness in which the wood reveals its reaction to the blade. Hand processing reveals the real beauty of wood — the detail of the grain, its depth, and the play of shades.

However, it is not the tool but the skill of the craftsman that determines quality. Experience, precision, and sensitivity bring out the best in every instrument.

Among the indispensable tools are hand planes. In skilled hands, they are instruments of extraordinary precision — smoothing surfaces after mechanical processing and shaving wood with accuracy down to five hundredths of a millimeter. Working along the grain direction achieves an impeccably smooth surface, almost mirror-like.

Hand planes and chisels require frequent sharpening, an essential part of the production process. Perfection, and thus the highest product quality, can only be achieved with very sharp tools.

Ultimately, the human hand is the finest tool of all. It decides the final outcome. Handwork is defined not by force or power but by delicacy and tact. Every movement is a conscious choice.

Joinery

Creating joinery requires near-surgical precision. Each joint is crafted individually with exceptional care. In many of our pieces, these joints remain visible, acting as subtle design details that define the refined character of the furniture. Their flawless execution directly contributes to the piece’s value. As a small artisan workshop, we enjoy the privilege of making what would be nearly impossible in mass-production furniture factories. Our creations — celebrated for their beauty, craftsmanship, and durability — demand time, skill, and a heartfelt devotion to woodworking.

Sanding

Sanding is a time-intensive, entirely manual process carried out along the natural direction of the wood grain. Through gradual refinement using increasingly fine grades of sandpaper, we achieve an exceptionally smooth surface.

This process highlights the grain’s depth and the wood’s natural texture—often creating an almost three-dimensional effect in certain species. It is a crucial preparatory stage before oiling, which brings out the wood’s full beauty.

Oiling

To finish our furniture, we use a natural Swedish linseed oil with a touch of varnish. The oil penetrates deep into the wood, hardening from within. This treatment creates a surface that is resistant to stains and scratches without forming an artificial coating—preserving the natural structure of the wood while adding a soft, velvety sheen.

Upholstery & sewing

Producing every element in-house allows us to maintain an uncompromising level of quality. That is why our studio includes a dedicated sewing workshop. We personally upholster our furniture, sew each cover, and select fillings tailored to specific needs. Our cushions and upholstered chair elements are made using leathers sourced through a meticulous months-long selection process. The ideal material—meeting all of our standards without compromise—was found in a traditional Italian tannery. These leathers stand out for their perfect softness, supple grip, and rich coloration. The seating is filled with natural goose down and feathers. Carefully chosen proportions allow us to fully harness the properties of each—lightness, softness, and resilience.

The seating elements are filled with natural goose down and feathers. The carefully balanced proportions make it possible to draw on the full range of their qualities — lightness, softness, and resilience.

Filling

The seating elements are filled with natural goose dawn and feathers. Carefully balanced proportions allow us to capture the full spectrum of their qualities — lightness, softness, and resilience. To prevent the filling from settling or shifting, we designed double-chamber cushions with vertical partitions. This arrangement allows the feather-filled elements to retain their shape and resist flattening. Each partition is equipped with a zipper, allowing the filling to be added and removed according to the user’s preference.