Kari table, 70x130 cm, front panel, birch

The Kari table is part of the Kari furniture series designed by Kari Asikainen. The simple and timeless design of the Kari table will suit any interior style. A convenient front panel acts as a protective covering and enables placing the table in an open space.

The first product in the Kari furniture series was the Kari chair. The production started at the Huonekalutehdas Korhonen factory in 1969. Over the years, the Kari series has become known especially as furniture for public spaces. The Finnish furniture company Martela, known for its office furniture, started manufacturing the Kari series in 2014.

Kari Asikainen

Huonekalu- ja Rakennustyötehdas Korhonen was founded in Turku, Finland in 1910. The furniture factory was founded by Finnish carpenters Otto Korhonen, Otto Suonperä, David Kinnunen and Fredrik Lundqvist. In addition to furniture, the HKT Korhonen also manufactured construction materials, such as window frames and doors.

The story of HKT Korhonen is deeply intertwined with Artek. Alvar Aalto’s architectural office began collaborating with the HKT Korhonen in the late 1920s and the factory started to manufacture Aalto’s furniture for various projects, such as Paimio Sanatorium. Simultaneously, Alvar Aalto also began experimenting with bending solid wood together with carpenter Otto Korhonen. The fruitful collaboration resulted in an L-leg which became to be the standard component for Aalto’s furniture design. 

The HKT Korhonen furniture factory was owned by the family Korhonen until 2014 when it was acquired by Artek. With the new ownership, the furniture factory was also given a new name; A-Factory. The majority of Artek furniture is still made at the factory in Kaarina, Finland.