Kim Jordan

Straw marquetry maker

©K&H Design Ltd.

French savoir-faire meets British design

Kim was first a cabinetmaker, and he introduced straw marquetry into his pieces later
He flattens and handpicks each piece of straw
His bespoke pieces provide a very individual experience for his clients

Kim Jordan is one of few straw marquetry makers in the United Kingdom. Before pursuing his career in cabinet making and straw marquetry, he worked in advertising for luxury car brands such as Land Rover and Jaguar. During his furniture design course at the Ecole Boulle in Paris, he discovered straw marquetry while on an internship. He learned his craft from Marine Fouquet, who co-runs the Maonia studio. "As soon as I saw her work, I knew I wanted to integrate this craft into my furniture," says Kim. When designing his bespoke pieces, Kim begins by establishing a connection between his client, the space, the craft, and himself. Through this method, he designs furniture that is truly one-of-a-kind and satisfies each commission.

Interview

How do you combine tradition and innovation in your work?: I created a slogan for my workshop: French savoir-faire meets British design. Although it probably originated in the East, straw marquetry decorative techniques are most well known for their use in 1920s France. I strive to translate this quality into my work whilst creating patterns and designs that are more unconventional.
Is there a technique you have mastered?: My straw marquetry skills have already taken me into very challenging territory. An example is applying straw to convex and concave surfaces. Expert knowledge in this field is hard to come by as there is relatively little literature or online information. This led me to experiment a lot myself, developing new techniques. I aim to pass on some of these in my workshops.
What do most people not know about your work?: There is a French farmer in the Burgundy area who supplies many straw marquetry artisans with straw. It is always rye that is used, as only rye can provide a shimmery finish. In addition to growing the stalks, the farmer also dyes them. His intense colours are one of his most well-kept secrets.
When is a work well done for you?: In my craft, I meticulously flatten each straw before hand-selecting it. As straw is a natural material, each piece is unique and may also exhibit imperfections. I believe that to achieve the balance that imparts personality to each object, I must constantly navigate between perfection and individuality.

Kim Jordan is a rising star: he began his career in 2019 and he started teaching in 2023