I have over forty years of experience in furniture making, in partnership with my wife Helena, in Australia and in Finland. We have worked with hundreds of clients: making furniture for residential and office projects; designed custom pieces for clients and for our own collections; restored antiques; designed and built seating for ships; and furnished bars, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and display homes.
The skills that I have developed are craft based, but refined with an acquired design knowledge and used in a manufacturing setting. These skills are quite unique today and not easily reproducible, so I welcome the opportunity to teach, and use each project to communicate the benefits of my expertise and provide the best crafted solution possible.
Commissions Commissions for unique pieces are interesting for me to work on. It’s a balance between the client brief and my own imagining of the piece. Working closely with the client but retaining freedom to conceptualise in my own way, I hope creates a significant piece with longevity and meaning for the client. Here’s images of a commission of the Chancellor’s Ceremonial Chair for Griffith University.
Griffith University
Chancellor's Ceremonial Chair for Griffith University
Griffith University Chancellors Ceremonial Chair
Griffith University Chancellors Ceremonial Chair
Silver ash with Elmorustical aniline leather and stainless steel detail
This collection is based on making local furniture craft more visible, bringing it into presence as an alternative to homogenous design. Using local materials and a slightly unique aesthetic, I am using the finished piece to display the craftsmanship within it. As with all of my work, I am endeavouring to create material culture which is relevant and long lasting.
Origins
activating material adapting design representing craft producing culture
Stool by Lasse Kinnunen
Stool by Lasse Kinnunen
Jarrah with hand crafted stainless steel detail
Stool by Lasse Kinnunen
Stool by Lasse Kinnunen
Jarrah with hand crafted stainless steel detail
Oksa cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Oksa cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Camphor laurel and gidgee with hand crafted stainless steel hinges and detail
Oksa cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Oksa cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Camphor laurel and gidgee with hand crafted stainless steel hinges and detail
Cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
camphor laurel
Cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet by Lasse Kinnunen
camphor laurel
Sheer cabinet
Sheer cabinet
camphor laurel
Sheer cabinet
Sheer cabinet
Camphor laurel and blackwood
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
queensland blackbutt
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
Cabinet Lasse Kinnunen
Juhani chair
Juhani chair
Featured in a Finnish interior
Juhani chair
Juhani chair
Unique contemporary aesthetic
Juhani chair
Juhani chair
Solid blackbutt timber and Woodnotes paper yarn upholstery
Banjo table series
Banjo table series
Natural material and simple aesthetic
Jann bench
Jann bench
Jann bench
Jann bench
The skill is in the detail.
Simo Stool
Simo Stool
Blackbutt with soap finish, upholstery in Woodnotes paper yarn textile
Katri coffee table
Katri coffee table
An elegant tale designed to complement materials used in sub-tropical houses.
Katri coffee table
Katri coffee table
Side profile, a little quirky but very functional.
Katri coffee table
Katri coffee table
Flat pack! And no tools needed!
Detail of Offcut Table
Detail of Offcut Table
Deka projects
Here are images of a few projects undertaken with Deka where I have designed and manufactured new furniture. It’s just a snapshot, the Deka website has more detail of recent projects.
Client Projects
Examples of design and manufacture projects for clients over the years.
Gold Coast apartment 2
Gold Coast apartment 2
Pietari dining table with Markus custom chairs
Gold Coast apartment 2
Gold Coast apartment 2
Mika sofas with Pietari coffee table
Gold Coast apartment 2
Gold Coast apartment 2
Pietari dining table with Markus custom chairs
Gold Coast apartment 2
Gold Coast apartment 2
Mika sofas with Pietari coffee table and Woodnotes rug
Terrace Swing
Terrace Swing
Helena's concept, my design. Bringing a little piece of garden for an urban sanctuary.
Scott Street dining
Scott Street dining
Lucy dining table with Markus chairs
Scott Street Living
Scott Street Living
Design and manufacture of furniture and art objects for luxury sub-tropical living in Kangaroo Point, Brisbane.
Origins coffee table in Scott Street
Origins coffee table in Scott Street
Made from camphor laurel with my special wax mix surface finish and high polished stainless steel legs
Scott Street
Scott Street
Pietari sofa and Lucy dining table
St Lucia House
St Lucia House
Design and manufacture furniture for living room, dining room, bedroom and entry.
St Lucia House dining room
St Lucia House dining room
The client chose the popular Jacqueline dining table, Markus chairs and Markus buffet from the Deka range. I recommended the use of jarrah to complement their existing flooring and timber doors.
St Lucia House - dining table detail
St Lucia House - dining table detail
I designed the Jacqueline dining table in 2004 for Deka's born classic collection. It instantly became very popular because of the high polished and unique design of the stainless steel leg. We do all our own stainless steel work in-house, its a time consuming job to polish to a mirror finish but the result is stunning. These tables are perfect for the Sunshine and Gold Coasts, for beachside living, you never need to worry about corrosion.
St Lucia House - buffet
St Lucia House - buffet
The Markus buffet had been a popular design of the Deka born classic collection. I designed it in 2003 and it has evolved with more features, new handles and a choice of legs. I use self-closing and full extension drawer runners in most of the cabinets as a standard now. The legs are either high polished stainless steel or kickboard.
Gold Coast apartment 1
Gold Coast apartment 1
Theodore bed
Gold Coast apartment 1
Gold Coast apartment 1
Jacqueline dining table with Alexander chair and Napoli barstools
Gold Coast apartment 1
Gold Coast apartment 1
Markus modular
Gold Coast apartment 1
Gold Coast apartment 1
Living room with Ella coffee table and Markus credenza
Hyne reception
Hyne reception
This project included the design and manufacture of reception, boardroom and offices furniture for Hynes Timber's Brisbane Office.
Hyne offices
Hyne offices
I designed and manufactured all desks and credenzas for all the offices - each was a custom layout but by using the same details in each one, brought it all together for acohesive finish.
Hyne boardroom
Hyne boardroom
I designed and manufactured the boardroom table and wallunit for Hyne Timber offices in Brisbane.
Sydney Apartment
Sydney Apartment
This Sydney apartment was completed in 2000. The client was an existing Deka client who needed his new apartment custom furnished. It was an interesting project as I was allowed free scope on the design which included dining setting, wallunit, living room, bedroom and aquarium. The dining table and chairs were designed to feature high polished stainless steel with an individualistic aesthetic.
Sydney Apartment
Sydney Apartment
The wallunit was designed around the latest flat screen TV and a built-in bar.
Sydney Apartment
Sydney Apartment
The sofas chosen were from Deka's collection. The coffee table and side table were designed to match the dining table design.
Kantti Collection
For this collection for Deka Design I collaborated with Helena and Nora. We wanted to create a collection made with local, sustainably sourced timbers that would suit residential interiors and also commercial projects.
Kantti Collection
Collection of timber furniture designed for commercial and residential projects.
Kantti II chair with timber seat
Kantti II chair with timber seat
Kantti II chair with timber seat
Kantti II chair with timber seat
Kantti II chair with upholstered seat
Kantti II chair with upholstered seat
Kantti armchair
Kantti armchair
Kantti cafe chair
Kantti cafe chair
Kantti dining chair
Kantti dining chair
Kantti dining chair
Kantti dining chair
Kantti desk
Kantti desk
Kantti stool collection
Kantti stool collection
Kantti barstool
Kantti barstool
born classic for Deka
This collection of contemporary furniture for my family company Deka has been developed over many years for our residential and commercial clients. Echoing the clean lines of contemporary furniture, this collection illustrates the virtues of high quality manufacture and a long term classic aesthetic.
The Deka collection evolves quite naturally. I am constantly developing or refining concepts, most of which make it to production, some that lay dormant until the time is right, and a few that never make it past pencil and paper. The design process is a relatively quick one because of the ease of collaboration: concept on paper, presented to Helena and Nora. If agreed it proceeds to design and material selection, then ready for prototyping or production.
A few of my signature pieces for Deka are shown in the gallery below. It’s just a small sample, the full collection is shown on Deka’s website.
Deka
'born classic' collection for Deka
Lucy table
Lucy table
Poilshed stainless steel.
Zamu armchair
Zamu armchair
Zamu dining chair
Zamu dining chair
Zamu dining chair
Zamu dining chair
Kalle chair
Kalle chair
Swivel chair with recliner
Lucy table
Lucy table
Detail
Zamu daybed
Zamu daybed
Antero swivel armchair
Antero swivel armchair
Designed as part of the Deka 'born classic' collection in 2004. Based on the Neo chair, it inherited the same acrylic and stainless steel base, but was stylised for presence.
Neo swivel armchair
Neo swivel armchair
Designed as part of the Deka 'born classic' collection in 2002, the Neo chair is very comfortable and generously sized with a swivel base in stainless steel with acrylic detail. The acrylic detail is a subtlety in design which has a visual impact almost unrecognisable, but without it the base design would not be the same. I have used this unique base detail in the Neo table and all the swivel chairs I have designed for Deka.
Pietari sofa collection
Pietari sofa collection
Finalist in Design Institute of Australia Queensland Design Awards 2006 for furniture design. The Pietari collection extends from sofas to dining table, coffee tables and a bed design.
Pietari sofa
Pietari sofa
Detail
Pietari dining table
Pietari dining table
The Pietari has a high polished stainless steel leg and high gloss timber veneer top for a durable finish. I began to use stainless steel in furniture legs and details for the Gold Coast market in the late 1990's. The salty air along the coastline is detrimental to chromed steel and many aluminium chair legs, so I decided early on never to use any other material. Stainless steel, although it has high embodied energy, does not need to be coated, it doesn't age, mark or corrode and it is fully recyclable at the end of the furniture's life.
Pietari dining table with Sebastian chair
Pietari dining table with Sebastian chair
High polished stainless steel leg, high gloss timber veneer top. The method of construction allows for long spans while maintaining a sleek low profile appearance. The detail is hidden on the inside!
Pietari credenza
Pietari credenza
Entertainment unit with customisable shelving and drawers.
Leon chaise
Leon chaise
Designed in 1999, this is a contemporary version of a modern chaise. It is made from plywood and stainless steel with upholstered padding. Has not dated yet.
Kalervo swivel armchair
Kalervo swivel armchair
Antero's little brother.
Wallunit
Wallunit
This is an example of a custom wallunit that we produce for Deka's clients. Each one of these requires custom design of details for electrical wiring, storage of audio/visual equipment and mounting of TVs etc.
