mx-design-studio

Designer Profile: Bark Furniture

Bark is a collaboration between husband and wife team, Jonathan Walter and Lakshmi Bhaskaran, both of whom are trained bespoke cabinetmakers with a passion for modern design. Having developed their craft creating one-off pieces for individual clients, in 2010 they decided to join forces and established Bark Furniture.

"Infused with the spirit of the southwest, our work is confident, yet playful, allowing the natural materials to take centre stage"

They offer a fresh take on bespoke, British-made furniture and accessories. The company mission is to create stunning, original designs, made by hand using traditional cabinet-making skills. All Bark furniture is made to the very highest standard using wood from sustainable sources. Their furniture is expected to to last generations.

Their work harks back to a bold period in furniture design and is inspired by the mid-century modern era, when confidence in proportion, modesty in detail and simplicity of construction were the defining characteristics.

Each of their collections are designed and manufactured with different inspirations and foundations. Each boasts its own story and reasoning. The 'Acorn Collection' was simply intended to reflect their views on what great furniture should be. While the 'Beacon Collection' was all about expanding horizons and introducing a collection of fabrics and home accessories. The 'Kustom Collection' was inspired by fifties Americana, and used strong motifs.

Their work was recently displayed at Clerkenwell Design Week, where it proved to be very popular.