FROM THE REGULAR HOUSE, THE HOME STUDIO HAS BECOME THE HOUSE OF ‘THE CARPENTER’ THAT PAYS ATTENTION TO SPACES, FUNCTIONS, AND DETAILS OF THE CUSTOM-MADE WOOD PRODUCT
TEXT & PHOTO COURTESY OF NAKORNSANG STUDIO
(For Thai, press here)
WHO
Nakornsang Studio is the home studio of Charnon, “the carpenter,” Nakornsang.
WHAT
Nakornsang Studio designs and creates custom-made furniture. We also put together private workshops about fine woodworking.
WHEN
I created my first piece in 2013, and ever since then, I have been captivated by both the process and the outcome. It’s something I’ve never seen before in the market. I made the decision to transform my house into a studio. To put my plan into action, I have started practicing and accumulating experience by actively working on creating actual pieces. Over time, I started receiving requests from clients who were willing to purchase my works at a price and within a timeframe that allowed me to dedicate my full attention to every detail. In 2020, I was determined to run the studio full-time with workshops that would allow people to explore the world of fine woodworking and enjoy the rewarding experience of creating something with their own hands.
Lak Si, Bangkok.
WHY
Thailand has an abundance of mass-produced industrial goods. It’s not even a matter of what’s beautiful and what isn’t. But when I was decorating my home, I was seeking something distinctive that would complement the space that I had. It was difficult to find pieces that met all of my requirements. I considered made-to-order items, but I had some unpleasant experiences with builders, which left me with questions and discontent about the quality of the work—details that show their lack of attention to the jobs they were obligated to complete. Finding the proper builder with excellent skills and work ethics was like looking for a needle in a haystack. That’s when I decided that since my house wasn’t especially big, I should try making all of the furniture myself. It would offer me the opportunity to learn and gain experience along the way.
What I also enjoy about working on a custom-made piece is that the brief isn’t overly broad or vague but rather consists of a specific set of information, such as the size of the space and the users’ lifestyle. All of these things will be formed into the design, which will later be materialized by my skills, style, and attention to detail in fine woodworking. Everything comes together to create a new story that always excites both me, the creator, and the client.
What distinguishes Thai Woodcraft techniques from standard woodworking?
Woodworking techniques are fairly universal. It’s something that has been inherited and existed for thousands of years. While the fundamentals are identical, I believe that the different styles and methods adopted as a result of each area’s or region’s environment or geographical characteristics influence the techniques that have been invented and developed.
What is your inspiration and guiding principle for each creation?
Each work and the details that go into it are based on structural principles and proportions that are derived from functions. I try to avoid developing forms solely to make them appear attractive. There are different kinds of beauty in fine woodworking, ranging from the beauty of the wood itself to the wisdom behind each joinery technique, function, and how a work interacts with a setting. These things can be conveyed and more recognizable if there isn’t a specific element or aspect that is added to be deliberately appealing.
What is the project you are most proud of?
I like every project. I enjoy making things. I enjoy strolling around the studio and learning and growing with each project. Each work has its own special, unique mark.
What is your preferred wood tone or texture?
I like wood with a fine grain and a medium hardness. Those are the most enjoyable to work with using hand tools. They are not too hard for the hands, yet they are not too heavy to be used as furniture. In terms of color, I prefer dark and medium tones. However, the overall mood and tone of the space in which the work will be placed plays an important part in determining the color tone of the piece.
What is your favorite part of the whole process?
Perhaps when I’m varnishing a piece. I can see the true color of the wood and the overall appearance of the work. It’s such an invigorating feeling.
If you could invite a ‘creative’ to coffee, who would you invite and why?
Daminato Albano. He is an Italian creative director, and I have always admired his perspective and presentation of the beauty of materials. I’m drawn to the spaces he creates and always want to really take time to learn about the thought processes that go into them.
