Armōin
 

Harmony

[Definition]:  The harmony of something is the way in which its parts are combined into a pleasant arrangement.

[Translation]:   Gaelige:  Armóin

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Armóin furniture was born in harmony with nature. A look that can communicate through the sense of touch and sight. Seeing and feeling the grain rise and fall with playful segmented curves and rounded edges all allow the pieces of furniture to talk in another language. A harmony and connection told by visual and sensual storytelling, interpreting the forest and its story by craft and design in balance and harmony.

 

We put an emphasis on meeting our clients in their own homes. It is important to see the spaces first-hand, to survey the light in the rooms, the existing decor and get a feel for the client’s tastes and wishes. We value this process, as a personal meeting is the only way to build up a trusting relationship, and to perhaps pick up on little ideas or words the client may say, which could influence in some small way the design development.

 

Our client’s brief was very open, with two main features - that of free flowing curves and solid heavy construction. Our task was to create a range of living and bedroom furniture. Each bedroom furniture set was to be slightly different in design while keeping the overall look the same. This lends to a bespoke sculptural feel for the client and allows us to be more creative with each piece. We took design inspiration from the natural world and predominantly the beauty of Oak forests and the ecosystems within. Paying particular attention to the balance and harmony that they contain.

 

Timber was (European FSC) sustainably sourced in Italy where forests are replanted for future generations to enjoy. This is a main focus of ours with each project, as with the quantity of timber needed it would only be right and moral to use a sustainable source and thus keep within the overall ethos of harmony and balance.

 

Using European white oak for this project was an obvious choice, a wood species that is native to Ireland but is also multi-cultural like our clients, who conduct business and have homes internationally. It would also tie in with other designed pieces in the layouts and with the flooring choice throughout the home.

 

Oak is a hardwood with the most wonderful tones of honey and caramel, which only enhances and mellows more beautifully with age. It has been used for Centuries in a wide range of uses from ship building to furniture making, thus making it a very versatile durable timber. Trees have been known to live for up to 300 years. Oak is a spectacular timber to work with, revealing a sweet vanilla aroma in the workshop when being crafted. Every piece can tell a story with natural variations in grain, colours, knots and other features.

 

The prime grade oak we selected was milled in a specific way called ‘quarter sawn’. This method of cutting logs ensures the most stable timber and shows the best of grain features like the striking medullary rays, which are seen as wavy ribbon-like patterns that appear over the straight grain.

 

Each piece was hand selected with an experienced eye to choose the best part, matching to its neighbouring segments. This is a very involved process, going over every square inch by hand, revealing the beautiful grain in its best form, almost foreseeing how the raw timber will be shaped and machined into life. Taking note of grain features, colours, tones, and any defects. We constructed these segments into alternating layers, staggering the joints to create greater strength and visually pleasing interplay between rounded end grain.

 

Harmony and balance is in everything and especially in the laws of nature. Each segmented piece is shaped to precision to interlink and connect with its counterpart to form a balance to create the seamless flow of segments in harmony. Rounded corners and edges show off this interplay of segments representing flowing shapes found in the natural world while also adding a tactile element.

 

An end grain double dovetail, or butterfly was added to each segment joint of end grain and long grain. To further interconnect and blend these elements while also adding one of the strongest joints known in nature.

 

The drawer fronts are finished in a figure burr oak veneer giving subtle contrast to the solid timber construction. Burr veneer is cut in thin sheets from root stumps of the oak tree revealing a magical layout of swirly grain and knotty burrs. Almost representing a map topography reflecting the forest - which is translated through elements of design and thus bringing the story of the forest directly into the client’s home.

 

Adding a shadow gap entirely around the drawers gives them a sense of individualism and space - a separate element - while also having a harmonious connection with the solid curved profiles.

 

It was decided at an early stage to omit any drawer handle, as to add one would over complicate the design and interrupt the clean lines. Instead a lip has been created under the drawers to allow them to be opened and closed seamlessly. Bespoke oak dovetail runners were made to ensure smooth and controlled operation of the drawers.

 

Finished with a mid-sheen clear lacquer to give protection for everyday life and to ensure the longevity of the pieces. This finish was chosen especially to let the timber be as natural as possible all while allowing the lacquer to saturate the grain, highlighting variations in tone and colour on the individual segments.

 

Each piece has ties to the next, in relation to its segmental design and seamlessly interconnecting elements, a true sense of balance and ultimate harmony. However overall they stand alone as individuals, each design varying differently – just like each piece of timber or each tree standing in a forest. Each is a segment, and each is connected in harmony through the eyes of nature. Armóin.

 

 

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Design & Manufacture:   Adrian Duyn – Joop Duyn & Sons Ltd.​

Client:  Private Residential​

Materials:   Wood: European Oak Sourced in Italy. (Quercus robur) Veneer: European burr figured Oak.        

Landscape images: Eoghan Kavanagh

Studio images:  Nick Cavanagh 

 

Armóin was produced in 2022 by Joop Duyn & Sons Ltd. Kenmare, Co. Kerry, Ireland.

All Rights Reserved. Copyright Joop Duyn & Sons Ltd.