A fusion of Scandinavian design and Japanese craftsmanship, &Tradition welcomes the debut collection, Ita, from design practice OEO Studio.
Traversing the boundary between Scandinavian and Japanese design philosophies, Ita—a new table and bench collection by OEO Studio—is a lesson in the constructs of minimalism.
Inheriting its name from the Japanese word for wood plank, Ita is a collection of buildable furniture that takes cues from miyadaiku carpentry – the centuries old Japanese craft, seen everywhere from furniture to temples, which uses integral cuts to join wooden elements together without the need for screws or glue.
A collection that conveys a simple yet sleek design language with astute attention to detail, Ita is a six-piece family comprised of a dining table in two sizes, two benches and two coffee tables. Constructed from either natural oak or dark-stained oak, the Ita Collection showcases the beauty and tactility of wood, while ensuring durability and ease of assembly. Each piece is designed for flat packing, with all components conveniently assembled using a single tool.
“The Ita collection is the pure essence of minimalism.” Thomas Lykke from OEO Studio comments. He continues “When you design a collection like this, it’s very much about the smallest of details – and you need just enough to make it fresh in look and feel. In order to make Ita interesting, we have included subtleties like rounded edges, as well as a deep focus on the function of its assembly. The result is a collection that you experience as you touch or feel it, because to us, design is more than what you see.”
Ita Dining Table OS1-OS2
The initial Ita design, the dining table, is a clear representation of the collection’s Japanese namesake. Available in two variants, OS1 and OS2, the table is characterised by a tabletop of two meticulously crafted planks that sit across wide yet slender wooden legs. Both can be chosen with a cable management system—an intuitive adaption to optimise home or office working. Both tables measure the same in height and width, 74cm x 95cm, but differ in length, with OS1 reaching 200cm and OS2 at 260cm.
“Sometimes the simplest composition is the most difficult.” Lykke comments.
“Removing parts is always difficult, it’s much easier to add. For the table, we really tuned into the essence of Ita, leaving out only what was not relevant, tapping into our philosophy at OEO of compelling minimalism.”
Ita Coffee Table, OS3-OS4
The OS3 and OS4 are a direct translation of the Ita identity in coffee table form. Low in profile, both tables offer ample space for displaying books alongside cherished objects and of course, a hot or cold beverage of choice.
Lykke comments: “With the Ita coffee tables, everything is about composition and scale. The low gravitational point, combined with their generous size, offer a sense of graciousness, assigning a feeling of grandeur to the rooms they are placed in.”
Ita Benches OS5-OS6
Complementing the dining tables, the benches continue the Ita identity and are available in two sizes. Comfortably seating three people, the small OS5 bench fits the proportions of the smaller OS1 Ita table and, for a more compact look and feel, can also tuck away neatly within the frame of the larger OS2 Ita table. The OS6 Ita bench corresponds to the OS2 table and sits up to four people with ease. For an additional layer of comfort, cognac leather seat pads have been developed to precisely fit each size bench.
“The Ita benches were created to fit seamlessly with the dining tables. In line with the rest of the collection, the corresponding cushions are simple. Fixed to the benches by a discreet, elegant strap, they make a subtle reference to Japanese Obi belts found on kimonos.”
The bench seat pads are easily attachable and detachable, are anti-slip and feature a zipper.
