Why did you start The Oak Men? “Well… We simply love the characteristics of oak… and we also love cool stuff. We design and manufacture products for use in life, for real and for fun. Every product handled by The Oak Men is based on cabinet making, with a focus on quality, simplicity, aesthetics but certainly also a good deal of warmth and humor. There are many fine home accessories out there, but most of it made for women. We only produce what we think is cool. We only do stuff which we, as men, as The Oak Men, can relate to. Stuff that men themselves will buy. Stuff that women can buy for their men - but surely also for themselves …” What is the driving force or concept behind your designs and materials used? “Concept… hmmm - not our favorite word, but “driving force” - now that sounds good... We relate a lot to our feelings surrounding an idea and try to keep the design process open for the longest time possible. We talk a lot and try a lot... and only when an idea or new design “tells us” it ́s done, we let it go... We never let anything go, if we don ́t relate to it...at least 90%. We really like to keep a bit of natural roughness to our designs, especially the wood. We find the little flaws beautiful and somewhat important to maintain and almost feels the need to protect them. We don ́t want our stuff to be too neat or perfect... Call it masculine if you want...
The Myth of The Oak Men
“…The Oak Men are very protective of their host tree and, though they far prefer to live in the most ancient and imposing Oaks, they will begrudgingly settle in pollards and coppices should their mature tree be lopped or chopped. The Oak Men are reputedly very protective and nurturing towards the various other natural creatures that share their woodland habitat. They signify strength, ancient wisdom and depth. The Oak Men tell every being to look slowly and deeply into the heart of a matter and to see past the superficialities on the surface. They tell you to take action only after thorough deliberation, and that haste may be your greatest enemy. They tell you to learn from the trees, to consider the trees and their wisdom, to connect with the wise old ones and ask for any assistance of which you might have need. You will love the brambly bark of their bodies, crooked and contorted, knobbly and gnarled. They are known to have a warm glow in their eyes, trusting and full of kindness, naughty and full of play. Such strength and fragility, all at once…”
Log Lamp - designed by Kevin Josias
Join - designed by Marie-Louise Larsen
Sales Agents Denmark
Holland
4North Agentur Chim Scavenius Sonne-Schmidt www.4north.dk chim@4north.dk +45 61 69 81 69
Poehaa Agenturen Hester Lathouwers www.poehaa.nl info@poehaa.nl + 31 636 192 010
Belgium
Norway
Swytch Peter Gallet www.swytch.be peter@swytch.com +32 495 111 276
By HOFF Annette Hoff www.byhoff.com annette@byhoff.com + 47 97 14 78 22
Sweden Artella Agentur info@artellaagentur.se Helena Johansson + 46 709 699 083 Sofia Carlsson + 46 706 477 560
The Oak Men Aps
Anders Buchtrup og Peter Hensberg www.theoakmen.com concact@theoakmen.com +45 86 11 01 22
theoakmen.com