John Kelly

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	Company Profile / Philosophy

The great thing about designing furniture is that it is exclusively for humans; and regardless of how much humans evolve, we continue to have pretty basic needs in terms of furnishing the places where we live...We sleep in beds...We work at desks...We sit in chairs...We eat from table tops...We put our clothes in chests and wardrobes...Fortunately, I do not think that we will ever evolve to a state where this is different.

When I first began designing furniture while in graduate school a decade ago, I never imagined that what began as a project for school would become my career. I was an architecture student at the University of Pennsylvania, dedicated to exploring the relationship between design and production. My first workshop was located midway between my apartment and the university. I would go to school during the day, and at night I would build things in the shop. All of my design projects for architecture school soon became shop oriented. Eventually, I was studying architecture through furniture, and understanding furniture through architecture.

My early furniture designs were influenced by the arts and crafts movement in America, the Bauhaus movement in Europe, and various modern architects. Namely, I looked to designers like Frank Lloyd Wright, Charles Eames, Gustav Stickley, Greene & Greene, and Le Corbusier. During the first five years, everything that I designed and produced was custom. Regardless of the client or project, what I learned was that all designs begin with an idea. Once you understand the vocabulary for expressing the idea, designing an entire range of furniture becomes a lot like writing a story with different elements and personalities. Individually, each furnishing is just one chapter. Collectively, all of the pieces combine to create a story composed of many characters that depict the idea of the entire range. Over time, the range of furniture may evolve and the characters may change; but each chapter will convey the same meaning and it's place in time will remain unchanged.

J1 Series Furnishings

In the spring of 1992, I began designing the J1 Series Furnishings. My objective was to reduce each furnishing to three basic design elements: frame; container; and surface. By removing the sides and backs of traditional furniture; exposing the structural frames; and creating drawers that can pull open on two sides, a uniquely simple line of furniture emerged with its own identity. In recognition of these innovative concepts the J1 Series Furnishings have received favorable attention from around the world, and have been acknowledged by design editors and critics with several awards. All frames are constructed using mortise and tenon joinery, and a wood-on-wood drawer slide design. All spindles are octagonal and are pegged on their ends with walnut. All drawers are assembled using lap joints, and pegged with walnut dowels for strength; and all drawer pulls are made by boring a hole through the drawer front, and inlaying a walnut pull horizontally across its middle. Three coats of matte lacquer and one coat of finishing wax provide a sturdy, non-toxic finish that penetrates deep into the cherry. This layering of finishes allows the furnishings to develop a natural patina over time through exposure to air and sunlight.

K2 Series Furnishings

In the fall of 1994, I began designing the K2 Series Furnishings. My objective was to reduce each furnishing to just two (2) basic elements, frame and surface. By screwing wooden slats together to assemble surfaces, and then inserting these surfaces into folding frames, a versatile line of outdoor furnishings was created that is compact, and will allow wind and rain to flow through its construction. All K2 Series Furnishings are made from solid teak and accented with brass caps and fasteners, and copper tubing. Each furnishing is sanded and purposely left unfinished allowing the copper tubing to patina green, and the teak to weather gray naturally, over time through exposure to the sun, wind, and rain. Removable cushions made of Sunbrella fabric are available upon request.

N (nu) Series Furnishings

In the fall of 1996, I began designing the N (nu) Series Furnishings. My objective was to reduce each furnishing to just two (2) basic elements, frame and container. By assembling vertical surfaces with frames; bending the containers to form curved planes; and reducing horizontal surfaces to glass panels; an elegant line of furnishings was launched that is a contemporary interpretation of traditional furniture. All N (nu) Series Furnishings are made from walnut and detailed with glass tops and shelves, and stainless steel drawer pulls. Three coats of matte lacquer and one coat of finishing wax provide a sturdy, non-toxic finish that penetrates deep into the walnut. This layering of finishes allows the furnishings to develop a natural patina over time through exposure to air and sunlight.

Zeta Series Furnishings

In the spring of 2000, I began designing the Zeta Series Furnishings. My objective was to reduce each furnishing to two (2) sets of duality: transparency and opacity; and surface and containment. By reducing the vertical surfaces to a grid of interlocking slats and the horizontal surfaces to floating slabs of wood, a modern “cross-cultural” line of furnishings was introduced. All Zeta Series Furnishings are made from solid oak and detailed with stainless steel pulls. Three coats of matte lacquer and one coat of finishing wax provide a sturdy, non-toxic finish that penetrates deep into the oak. This layering of finishes allows the furnishings to develop a natural patina over time through exposure to air and sunlight.

Omega Series Carpets

In the fall of 2000, I began designing the Omega Series Carpets. My objective was to develop a collection of contemporary carpets based on the simple geometries of lines. Each Omega Series Carpet is hand-tufted from the finest New Zealand wools, and is signed by John Kelly. Each original design is available in any shape or size, and in three (3) distinct color combinations. Custom sizes and colors are available upon request.

Beta Series Accessories

In spring of 2001, I began designing the Beta Series Lighting. My objective was to introduce a collection of lighting that was able to project its own meaning as an everyday object onto our hectic, contemporary lifestyles and perhaps become "mood altering". All Beta Series Lighting is meticulously made by hand from natural materials, one piece at a time, by professionals who are dedicated to their craft.

Tau Series Furnishings

In the fall of 2002, I began designing the Tau Series Furnishings.  My objective was to reduce each furnishing to just one (1) basic element, surface.  By making all doors and drawers flush with the cases, and using concealed, push-latch hardware mechanisms, a contemporary collection of ambidextrous furnishings was created to celebrate the possibilities of bamboo as a sustainable furniture material.  All Tau Series Furnishing are made from bamboo veneer, and are available in either natural or ebony finish.

Alpha Series Furnishings

In the fall of 2004, I began designing the Alpha Series Furnishings.  My objective was to reduce each furnishing to just two (2) basic elements, surface and shadow.  By insetting all drawers from the molded edges of the cases, and using concealed, push-latch hardware mechanisms, a contemporary collection of furnishings was created, inspired by the Danish modern movement.  All Alpha Series Furnishing are made from cherry veneer with solid cherry edging, and are available in a natural cherry finish.

Kisho Series Furnishings

In the spring of 2005, I began designing the Kisho Series Furnishings.  My objective was to design a collection of furniture that was impossible to make.  The Kisho Series Furnishings will debut in Tokyo during the Spring 2006.  John Kelly Furniture has recently entered into a joint venture with Hinoki Kogei, a highly acclaimed Japanese manufacturer, and intends to offer ten (10) limited edition dining sets, including; a Dining Table, Server, and six (6) similar, yet distinctively different Chairs, all signed by both Chuzo Tozawa and John Kelly.

John Kelly Furniture & Accessories was founded in 1994 by John N. Kelly, a licensed architect who has been designing and producing hand crafted furniture and accessories since 1987. For more detailed information or a free brochure please call us at 800-291-1301, e-mail us at info@johnkellyfurniture.com, or request via form.

Copyright © 1992-2009 John Kelly Furniture Design, Inc.