Overlooking the sea, the historic tobacco granary houses an unusual manufactory. There, furniture is created that combines Scandinavian simplicity with Slavic strength. How does the Gdynia-based brand TAMO bring magic to interiors?
Ash and oak are the mystical trees of the Slavs and Scandinavians. According to Norse mythology, it was on the Ash tree (Yggdrasil) that the universe was built. It was believed that the energy of this tree not only protected against evil forces or soothed nerves, but also improved brain function. Magic wands and witches' brooms were made from ash, and ash arrows, were accurate like no other. Oak, a Slavic symbol of longevity, wisdom and strength. It was under these trees that the most important meetings of the tribes were held, truths were sought by them and vitality was asked for. They were a source of raw material as well as food in times of famine, because when all else failed - there was always oak fruit left in abundance.
MAYA dresser | photo: TAMO furniture
all in one place
It all started with the Melounge collective, which Marcin Laskowski formed in 2005. After international recognition of the bold designs, the project grew dynamically, bringing together a number of creators and craftsmen operating with different materials. Melounge furniture was created from metal, fabric and wood. And on the latter, the founder decided to focus, creating an entirely new brand. In 2015, TAMO was born. And as in a traditional manufactory, the entire production process takes place in the premises of a historic granary in Gdynia. It's where ideas and designs are created, the carpentry shop is located, and all orders go out from there.
TAMO, although it still has the same headquarters since its establishment, has been growing dynamically all the time. Recently, the team was joined by talented designer Krystian Kowalski, who has so far created for companies of a completely different nature, including IKEA and Sony.
photo: TAMO furniture
sea and modernism
TAMO designer Marcin Lasowski points out the city's value in the brand's DNA. Gdynia brings together more and more creative, young people. The proximity of the soothing sea has an impact on work, and the modernist space attracts creatives.
Locality is important to me. I like to emphasize that I run a carpentry shop in Gdynia. We order materials from local suppliers. So we are local, but it is not part of our business plan. 85 percent of our customers live in Warsaw. So we do not rule out that in some time we will open a point in the capital, or maybe even further," says Marcin Laskowski.
A commitment to locality can also go hand in hand with experiments, such as projects made from raw material sourced from exotic countries. These we are looking forward to. After all, Gdynia is a port city, always open to the new and unknown.
photo: TAMO furniture
awareness of materials
A return to the roots of our culture is not just a ubiquitous trend. A symbolic look at wood through its ancient "properties" reveals completely new possibilities for the designer to use the raw material. Tamo furniture is made of solid wood sourced from local vendors, only from sustainable plantations, and has all sorts of Europjesian raw material quality certificates. And although TAMO means ash in Japanese, the brand relies on the strong and associated with Poland oak.
Wood has a whole range of advantages. First of all, it is malleable, you can carve in wood, it allows you to achieve almost any form. In addition, it is organic, natural, in line with ecology - with each cut of a tree intended for lumber, five new ones are planted. It is also a mature material, with a history.
The advantage of wood is also that it can be renewed. Particle boards deteriorate quickly. Oak wood is even more beautiful after years, because it darkens. It just keeps living, working all the time. - says brand founder and designer Marcin Lasowski in an interview with trójmiasto.pl
photo: TAMO furniture
secret
Among the designs, the most popular are dressers, but the offer also includes tables and tables, desks, secretaries, bedside tables and chairs. Functional designs, although undeniably modern, are reminiscent in style of the beloved 1960s. The wood is finished with oil, so you can see its unique structure. Combination of simplicity with original solutions is a characteristic feature of TAMO. Openwork structures of the secretaries, cylindrical hinges of the chest of drawers complete the coherent vision of the Scandinavian-inspired interior.
What is the secret of the brand? Design and quality, unique patterns and precious raw materials? In TAMO's designs you can see a symbiosis of bold modernity and great respect for tradition. It is the wood that always comes first, and the form remains simple enough not to overshadow its magic.
