Saniharto has unveiled its latest collection in collaboration with one of Indonesia’s esteemed designers, Budi Kurniawan, who is widely recognised by both his clients and peers as BK. In this inaugural partnership with Saniharto, a renowned fine furniture manufacturer, BK introduced a distinctive and contemporary theme by showcasing his creative design mind—cactaceae.
Story by Iman Hidajat | Photos by Saniharto
As an exceptionally captivating theme for design, “Cactaceae has its origins that can be traced back to the pandemic era when resilience in the face of adversity became paramount. The narrative revolved around the indomitable cactus, thriving in an environment of extreme climates seemingly inhospitable to sustaining life. Its intricate structure, painstakingly crafted to withstand nature’s harshest elements, unfolds a diverse tapestry of beauty in various shapes and sizes.
From this unconventional concept, Budi conceived and presented a collection of furniture designs that radiate both iconic elegance and innovative functionality. Each design is a masterpiece, meticulously crafted not only to please the eye but also to serve a practical purpose.
With the concept revolving around durable and innovative designs, the selection of materials became a pivotal consideration. BK explained that they paid meticulous attention to texture and colour, carefully selecting dependable materials to achieve exceptional results. “Amongst the materials we utilise for design development, bronze and brass hold great value. They exhibit durability and resilience against the forces of nature. And brass is also renowned for its antibacterial properties, effectively disinfecting numerous bacteria within eight hours.”
The materials utilised in this collection are wonderfully diverse, highlighting natural themes while incorporating luxurious and glamorous accents. Wood and tweed fabrics have been artfully employed to provide a soft touch. “Tweed-textured fabrics were specifically chosen to enhance the unique character of each piece, whilst the harmonious blend of colours unifies the entire collection,” BK elaborated.
Natural stone, particularly marble, assumes a pivotal role in this collection, symbolising luxury, solidity, and strength. Its creation mirrors the evolutionary process of the cactus, spanning millions of years – from leaf to thorn and the thickening stem walls. He then summed up our conversation, stating, “The amalgamation of organic and non-organic elements culminates in our ‘Cactaceae Collections,’ a series of distinct pieces that embody the essence of these resilient plants.”
With a strong emphasis on high-quality finishing, the Cactaceae Collection encompasses a variety of items, such as console tables, stools, accent chairs, counter stools, dining tables, extension tables, end tables, dining chairs, sofas, and coffee tables. Each product boasts a modern design for comfort and elegant appearance.
Saniharto, one of the world’s leading luxury furniture manufacturers, provides high-quality products to clients around the globe. The company firmly believes that the work of local designers is not only on par with but often superior to their foreign counterparts, excelling in both design creativity and craftsmanship. To accommodate various design styles, Saniharto frequently collaborates with designers, with the latest being with Budi Kurniawan in the ‘Cactaceae’ collection.
Merysia Enggalhardjo, the director of marketing and sales at Saniharto, explained that the reason for collaborating with BK primarily lies in manufacturing rather than designing. This aligns with Saniharto’s objective, which is to seek collaborations with designers whose style and vision align with the company’s ethos. “BK is one of Indonesia’s most acclaimed designers, renowned for his visionary ideas. We granted him as much creative freedom as possible to bring his unique design to life,” Merysia further elaborated.
She also asserted that their expertise predominantly centres on construction, functionality, and manufacturability. “In this manner, we are able to produce a diverse range of items with unique aesthetics while maintaining the high-end quality in finishing and craftsmanship that Saniharto is renowned for,” she added.
Last but not the least, Saniharto’s commitment to regularly introducing designer collections reflects their dedication to offering an extensive array of choices to both loyal and new customers, both in Indonesia and around the world.