Dominik Eliáš

Dompos

Cabinetmaker

©Adam Mráček

©Filip Eliáš

Falling for wood at first sight

Dominik is a self-taught cabinetmaker
He works with charred brushed wood
He also uses polished epoxy resin

Dominik Eliáš's furniture draws attention inside any interior. Made of solid wood, his pieces carry a bold texture combined with fluid elements of coloured resin. The result is classic-shaped furniture with an ingenious design twist. "I use the hundreds of years old Japanese technique of burning and brushing wood. Not only does it makes the wood texture more majestic, it also makes the material more resilient. I combine this traditional method with the innovative application of epoxy resin." Thanks to this charismatic blend and Dominik's scrupulous approach to his work, timeless and long-lasting furniture is born. Dominik creates under the studio name Dompos that he runs with his younger brother.

Interview

©Filip Eliáš

©Filip Eliáš

What are your craftsman beginnings?: Since I was a kid, I loved manual work. My father renovated old furniture, my grandfather had a workshop where I used to spend a great deal of time. I mostly made little things like cooking spoons, but I also made a shoe cabinet for my grandmother when I was 13.
How did the hobby turn into a profession?: The idea to work with wood on a professional level came when I made furnishings for my flat. First I made a bed of solid wood, and everyone liked it. So I started to make beds for my friends. From there, word spread!
Do you still enjoy your craft as a hobby?: Yes. I love the transformation of a log becoming a piece of furniture that will serve people for decades. It takes a lot of time because I'm meticulous, I don't consider things done until I can find no imperfections. But the result and happy clients are worth it.
Do you train apprentices?: There is an increasing demand for apprenticeships. I'm slowly starting to offer them. Slowly – because it takes months to learn and master the production process. And because I like to supervise the whole process and need to be sure that everything leaving the workshop is 100 percent perfect.

Dominik Eliáš is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2014