John Pawson for Nikari - A Study in Absolute Clarity
When two masters of restraint come together, design becomes something deeper than form.
For Finnish maker Nikari and British architect John Pawson, their collaboration on the Frame Table series is a study in proportion, light, and the quiet power of wood.
The Meeting of Two Philosophies
At first glance, Pawson and Nikari might seem worlds apart — one known for his monastic architecture and purity of space, the other rooted in Nordic craftsmanship and material warmth. Yet their shared values make the collaboration feel inevitable: both believe that true design begins where excess ends.
Pawson’s guiding principle, “absolute clarity,” resonates deeply with Nikari’s own respect for timber and time. Working from their workshop in Fiskars village — surrounded by rivers, forests, and decades of woodworking tradition — Nikari’s craftspeople transform Pawson’s architectural precision into tangible form.
“The thinking that shapes the Frame series derives from a desire to achieve absolute clarity of form, proportion, and construction language,” says John Pawson. “The table combines economy of means with a visual lightness that is both simple and poetic.”
The Frame Table: Architecture in Wood
Originally designed by John Pawson for his own farmhouse in the English countryside, the Frame Table is a lesson in clarity and proportion. Crafted in solid ash or oak, the table’s defining element is its exposed structure — a simple, geometric frame that gives the piece both strength and serenity.
Each table is hand-finished using traditional joinery. Every edge, grain, and surface reveals the patience of human craftsmanship. The result feels architectural, yet grounded and intimate — the kind of design that anchors a room rather than dominates it.
”Whether at the scale of a monastery, a house, a saucepan or a ballet, everything is traceable back to a consistent set of preoccupations with mass, volume, surface, proportion, junction, geometry, repetition, light and ritual. In this way, even something as modest as a fork can become a vehicle for much broader ideas about how we live and what we value.”
The Frame Low Coffee Table
Building on the success of the original dining and conference tables, Pawson and Nikari introduced the Frame Low Table. The design extends the same philosophy into the living space, with proportions that encourage calm and openness.
Made in ash or oak, the Frame Low celebrates the natural life of the tree. Its grain patterns, shaped by decades of growth, become part of the table’s visual texture. Each piece passes through the hands of Nikari’s craftspeople in Fiskars, whose skill ensures every surface is seamless, balanced, and alive with quiet presence.
Available in three versions — without shelf, half shelf, and full shelf — the Frame Low functions equally well as a coffee table, side table, or statement piece. Each variation explores a slightly different balance of structure and lightness.
Pawson’s partnership with Nikari embodies a shared design philosophy: clarity, craft, and conscience. Both are committed to sustainable production, thoughtful design, and furniture that endures across generations.
For Nikari, this means working with responsibly sourced Finnish wood and using hydroelectric power from the workshop’s surrounding rivers. For Pawson, it means designing with intention and restraint, allowing material and proportion to do the talking.
Together, they remind us that true craftsmanship does not shout — it speaks softly and with purpose.
Experience the Frame Table at K5
At K5’s Collingwood showroom, the Frame Table stands as a quiet statement of everything Pawson and Nikari represent: simplicity, balance, and authenticity. The piece feels at home among K5’s carefully curated brands, reflecting our ongoing focus on craftsmanship and timeless design.
To experience the Frame Table in person, visit us in Collingwood or explore the full Nikari collection online. Each piece invites you to slow down, notice the grain, and appreciate the beauty of design reduced to its essentials.
Quiet Clarity
The Frame series is more than furniture. It’s about the feeling of calm that comes when form, material, and purpose fall into perfect balance. It’s about the honesty of craftsmanship - the warmth of timber shaped by hand, the discipline of a design that reveals just enough, and the quiet satisfaction of something made to last.
John Pawson and Nikari share a rare understanding of restraint, proving that when design is thoughtful and true, it needs nothing more.
In welcoming Nikari and the Frame Table to the K5 collection, we’re sharing more than a piece of furniture. We’re sharing a way of living - grounded, intentional, and deeply human.
Explore the Collection
Nikari is exclusively available through K5 Furniture.
To explore the full range or experience the pieces in person, visit our showrooms or browse online.