Painstaking attention to detail
1. Kettnaker aims to offer modular furniture systems with a timeless aesthetic that can be individually configured according to customer requirements. That’s an ambitious objective – how do you achieve it day after day?
We have very high standards when it comes to the quality of our systems. Every piece of our furniture is crafted with the utmost care and has to pass strict quality controls. We are constantly working to make further improvements to our systems – through new materials, innovative finishes or an even greater range of possible customisations. Our goal is to make furniture that not only meets users’ needs today, but will also continue to do so for many years into the future.
2. Kettnaker is committed to the “Made in Germany” promise – from design and engineering right through to production. How important is the label to consumers today? Is it still a factor that influences their purchasing decisions?
Yes, definitely. “Made in Germany” stands for excellent craftsmanship and responsible production. Many customers actively seek out furniture that’s not only high quality but also sustainably manufactured. Thanks to our production site in Dürmentingen and our collaboration with regional partners, we can honour this commitment while also guaranteeing the highest level of quality.
The new Case system furniture offers an attractively priced entry point into Kettnaker’s world, but can also be configured as a unique designer piece to suit even the most sophisticated tastes. Copyright: Kettnaker
3. Sustainable consumption goes hand in hand with high-quality, timeless and thus enduring furniture design. Kettnaker’s collections tick all of these boxes. What is your approach when developing a new piece of furniture or a new collection?
We believe that sustainability begins with design. Our furniture is designed to adapt to changing needs – in terms of both function and looks. Our Soma system is a good example. In 2009, we fitted it with an innovative magnetic attachment system that makes it possible to replace the fronts in no time at all, without having to buy a new piece of furniture. This kind of flexibility ensures that our furniture remains up-to-date and useful for decades.
4. What criteria does a piece of furniture need to fulfil today so that it can last for generations?
It must be made of high-quality materials, have a timeless design and be adaptable to new living situations. That’s precisely why we focus on modular systems that can be expanded and modified. Our aim is to create furniture that holds its own and grows with every chapter of our lives.
: In collaboration with Leica, Kettnaker developed Soma Media, a piece of high-tech multimedia furniture with an iconic, clearly defined design. Copyright: Kettnaker
5. One piece of furniture that appears again and again in Kettnaker’s collections is the sideboard. It has experienced a real revival in recent years because it does so much, from influencing the style of a room to providing plenty of storage space. How important is the sideboard in your collections? What functions does it perform?
The sideboard is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture – it can provide storage space, act as a design element or even define the structure of a room. That’s why we have always continued to develop it so that it can be designed and adapted to suit individual preferences. With the ability to customise the dimensions, materials and colours, each sideboard becomes a unique piece that can be perfectly integrated into any interior design scheme.
6. Sideboards are available in the form of lowboards, highboards and floating sideboards. Which do you prefer and why?
Each variant has its own strengths. Lowboards are ideal for home entertainment systems, highboards offer additional storage space, and floating sideboards achieve a light, elegant look. Our new Case range highlights the versatility of our system. The system is based on an empty mitred carcass up to 240 cm wide that can be designed to suit personal preferences – whether as a classic sideboard, an elegant floating sideboard or a spacious highboard with open and closed elements. The internal spaces can be configured individually, and finishes can be selected from a wide range of materials and colour palettes, making Case a bespoke solution for every living area.
The innovative combined lowboard and projection system is based on three core elements: the Soma cabinet, a screen integrated into the piece of furniture and the new Cine 1 Cinema TV from Leica. Copyright: Kettnaker
7. At imm cologne 2023, you presented a piece of high-tech multimedia furniture, a lowboard that you developed with Leica. How did the collaboration come about?
The joint project with Leica grew out of our common goal of combining outstanding quality with innovation. Both brands share a passion for precision and design. We became involved with Leica through our membership of the Meisterkreis, a network of leading German brands. Together, we developed Soma Media – a lowboard that combines state-of-the-art multimedia technology with our expertise in modular furniture to create a unique experience for our customers.
8. Soma Media stands out thanks to its clean lines and reduced design language. What are the core elements at the heart of the design?
Minimalism, high-quality materials and technical ingenuity. Soma Media is all about creating a balance between function and aesthetics – state-of-the-art technology is integrated almost invisibly, without undermining the clear design language. That is the core of our design approach: intelligent solutions that fit perfectly into the living environment rather than dominating it.
Kettnaker is a manufacturer of high-quality “Made in Germany” furniture systems. Since it was founded in 1870, the company has been based in Dürmentingen in south-western Germany. It’s Managing Director is Wolfgang Kettnaker. Copyright: Kettnaker
