Vaarnii

since 2021 : Brutal, Sophisticated, and Unapologetically Pine

 

Vaarnii is a contemporary Finnish furniture and lighting brand founded in 2020–2021 by Antti Hirvonen and Miklu Silvanto, former designers for Artek, Apple, and Tom Dixon. Born from a desire to create objects of lasting cultural and material value, Vaarnii has staked its identity on an unlikely hero: Finnish Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris). This abundant, historically overlooked softwood becomes the foundation for designs that are both brutal and sophisticated, marrying architectural heft with timeless restraint.

 

Producing entirely in Finland, Vaarnii works with a network of local craftspeople and factories, many of whom have revived traditional pine-working techniques. The brand partners with leading international designers — including Max Lamb, Philippe Malouin, Kwangho Lee, Fredrik Paulsen, and Industrial Facility — who reinterpret pine through a global design lens while staying true to its Finnish roots. Their name echoes Finnish heritage, embodying resilience, nature, and the spirit of slow craft. In a world of fast furniture, Vaarnii champions pieces built to last generations, designed to wear in rather than wear out.

 

 

 

Core Material & Craft

 

Scots Pine from Finnish Forests

Vaarnii’s collections are primarily built from locally grown Scots Pine, which covers approximately 44 percent of Finland’s forests. Traditionally seen as cheap due to its softness and knotting, Vaarnii reframes pine as warm, characterful, and sustainable. The wood is naturally soft and will dent or scratch with use, a quality the brand embraces as part of its living aesthetic.

 

Knots, resin pockets, cracks, and distinctive grain patterns are celebrated rather than hidden, giving each piece individuality. Over time, pale pine develops a rich golden honey patina. Finishes are matte and breathable, using natural hardwax oils to preserve texture. For outdoor collections, Vaarnii utilizes thermally modified pine (thermowood), developed in collaboration with Lunawood, which enhances resistance to rot, moisture, and weather.

 

 

 

Products

 

Vaarnii’s aesthetic is monumental and minimal: solid geometric forms built from thick slabs of wood, with almost no ornamentation. Their pieces often feel architectural in scale, designed to command space rather than quietly occupy it. 

 

- Strong geometric lines and sculptural silhouettes

- Oversized proportions and carved seating surfaces

- Visible joinery and solid-wood construction

- Monomaterial compositions made almost entirely from pine

 

 

 

Made Entirely in Finland

 

All Vaarnii pieces are crafted in Finnish workshops and factories, often by artisans specifically sought for their expertise in pine joinery and finishing. The brand prioritises local timber from sustainably managed forests to minimise transport emissions and ensure full traceability.

 

Its sustainability approach centres on durability: pieces are designed to last as long as it takes their trees to grow — about a century. Monomaterial construction simplifies repair and recyclability, while small-batch production reduces waste. Pine surfaces will dent and scratch, and Vaarnii views this as part of their evolving beauty. Surfaces can be re-oiled if needed, and outdoor thermowood pieces resist weather while still requiring care over time.

 

 

Website https://vaarnii.com/

Instagram @vaarnii

Photo vaarnii