001 dining chair, pine

Vaarnii’s pinewood chair may look stiff and angular, but thanks to the curved seat, it is surprisingly comfortable to sit on. The dimensions of the chair, designed by Fredrik Paulsen, are also restrained in relation to its sturdy shapes. As a practical detail, there is a groove under the seat, allowing you to pull the chair out more easily.

In addition to the brutal design language typical of Paulsen's design, there is another element favoured by Paulsen heavily present in the chair: pinewood. According to the designer, the natural knots and grain of pine form fascinating patterns that are downright “psychedelic”, and they look best on large surfaces – hence the bulky design. Pinewood also ages quite beautifully due to the oils and resins that naturally occur in the wood, turning into a rich honey colour as the wood is exposed to UV rays.

Fredrik Paulsen

Vaarnii is a Finnish design brand that launched in 2021. In their design, the brand draws on traditional furniture, which, in the past, used to be made using local, abundant materials. Inspired by this notion, Vaarnii's furniture is also based on practicality and locally available materials – the brand's first collection is crafted in Finland, mainly from Finnish pine wood.