George Nakashima

My father studied and practiced architecture for many years before deciding to make furniture exclusively, and would not have designed as well as he did without this background. He considered designing furniture identical to architecture, only on a smaller, human scale.

His work in both furniture and architecture embodied a respect for materials, especially wood, and he tried to use them all to their fullest potential, through inventive and often unorthodox methods of construction. During his lifetime, he often spoke of giving new life to trees, and his creative development followed a path through several different cultures and philosophies. He wanted his pieces to be treated as everyday functional objects, not as if they were precious possessions.

This form was introduced in 1975, when it was designed for its namesake, Dr. Kornblut. This custom “Kornblut” cabinet was made in beautiful East Indian Rosewood, which is no longer commercially available. 

— Mira Nakashima