A New Standard of Excellence – Karimoku New Standard from Stylecraft

Words by James Lyall Smith
Images Courtesy of Karimoku New Standard

Born from a deep understanding of skilled craft and realised through innovative technologies, Karimoku New Standard represents Japanese design at the highest level. Available in Australia exclusively through Stylecraft, Karimoku New Standard fuses con temporary design with traditional Japanese craftmanship to produce timeless furniture collections.

Testament to the proud standards of quality Japanese design, Karimoku New Standard (KNS) is defined by a combination of progressive innovation and an unparalleled echelon of manufacturing excellence. Established in 2009 by leading furniture manufacturer Karimoku, KNS has collaborated with internationally renowned design talents to create a collection of furniture and objects that exemplify the Japanese sense of style, function and inherent joyfulness.

Established in 2009 by leading furniture manufacturer Karimoku, KNS has collaborated with internationally renowned design talents to create a collection of furniture and objects that exemplify the Japanese sense of style, function and inherent joyfulness.

Driven by a belief that a product’s function is equally important as its aesthetic, KNS uses sustainably sourced Japanese hardwoods, paying close attention to traditional production techniques that pay homage to a bygone era of skilled craftmanship. Evolving over the past decade through collections and collaborations, KNS takes pride in establishing new standards of manufacturing and design to maintain the brand’s universal accessibility.

The Karimoku New Standard offering includes a combination of dining and side tables, together with seating, lounging, coat stands and accessory collections that are suitable for both commercial and residential settings. The heart of the KNS offering is the collection of Colour Wood dining, coffee and side tables designed by Scholten & Baijings. Made from an intricate assembly of 14 individual laths, the pieces of the Colour Wood table collection feature Japanese precision combined with the beauty of traditional timber furniture.

Available in a range of combinations to suit any design aesthetic, the aptly named Elephant lounge, designed by Christian Haas, features a unique versatility that encapsulates the overarching playfulness of the design.

Function and style are further explored in the Elephant lounge and Castor collection of seating and tables. Available in a range of combinations to suit any design aesthetic, the aptly named Elephant lounge, designed by Christian Haas, features a unique versatility that encapsulates the overarching playfulness of the design. The Castor collection of seating and tables designed by Swiss studio BIG-GAME has been evolving for over a decade, in the process redefining the concept of simplicity in design through every new iteration. The longevity of the collaboration, and the products it has created, speaks to the durability of Castor’s design character and the synergies that can be found between Japanese and Swiss design.

Karimoku New Standard’s latest offering, the Polar Lounge Chair, adopts a design language based on an intriguing combination of soft shapes balanced against straight lines and geometric components. The contrast of design elements provides the lounge chair with a gentle appearance has a strength of character suitable for both residential and commercial applications.

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Informed by a mission to produce contemporary and long-lasting furniture that celebrates traditional Japanese craftmanship whilst maintaining a contemporary appeal, Karimoku New Standard is available in Australia exclusively through Stylecraft. Encapsulated by a range of expertly produced products that live up to its name, KNS truly sets a new standard for design and manufacturing excellence.