www.modernluxuria.com
Furniture Duo Create Lasting Beautiful Pieces Two friends form a furniture business out of an innate desire to create WORDS BY KAREN MEURER
Owners of IZM, Shane Pawluk and Jerad
they looked at each other and said “well
Mack have known each other since the mid
you might as well come work with us.” And
90’s. Both were working overseas in Cuba
IZM was born. In the beginning Pawluk and
when Pawluk decided to quit his job — not
Mack worked with retailers to sell products.
wanting to “work for anyone else again.” He
Pawluck describes their original designs
thought “what can I do,” coffee shop (?) bike
back then as “brutalist” with everything
shop (?) or furniture (?) because those are
1½ inches thick and square.
the things he liked. Now IZM designs are a reflection of the Pawluk decided on furniture since his
owners. They like to design from their
cousins had a woodworking shop. “I never
likes and passions — with ideas that
did any woodworking before that. I thought
come organically.
this would be easy, but it wasn’t.” Mack does most of the designing now. Pawluk learned the craft and rules of
He comes up with a shape and works
woodworking from his cousin’s Dad, who
it into a piece of furniture. Their design
passed on old world experience. “You may
style is minimalist, organic shapes, curves,
try to experiment and break the rules, but
architectural — “it’s just a mix”.
you learn quickly you can’t.” People are finding IZM. Not ones to want While still in Cuba Mack started carving for
to promote themselves, they like to let the
something to do. He soon started working
work speak for itself. From referrals and
with a master furniture maker and began
word of mouth, IZM will build on order.
to build furniture. They have done furniture for different Fast forward to both being back in
restaurants, hotels, and individuals. After
Edmonton and building furniture
17 years in business, IZM’s design style has
independent of each other. One day
evolved and matured into building beautiful,
Mack came over to Pawluk’s cousin's
simple, and unique pieces of furniture.
woodworking shop to check it out and
www.izm.ca - 76 -
