Herringbone Sideboard / TV Cabinet Oak & straw marquetry
by Alexandra I. Mas
Kim Jordan’s work beautifully bridges French artisanal heritage and contemporary British design. Trained at the world-renowned École Boulle in Paris as an ébéniste, Kim has mastered traditional techniques in the creation and restoration of high-end furniture. His formative years in some of Paris’s most prestigious ateliers provided him with expertise in veneering, shagreen, parchment, and most notably, the intricate art of straw marquetry. These time-honored skills, combined with his innovative vision, now define the sophisticated furniture and objets d’art that emerge from his London workshop.
His excellence has been widely recognized, earning him the esteemed Prix de Perfectionnement aux Métiers d’Art de la Ville de Paris in 2018, an honor that highlights his exceptional craftsmanship. Kim was named as one of House & Gardenʼs 25 Rising Stars in 2024.
In September 2024 Kim was invited to demonstrate his straw marquetry craft at Homo Faber in Venice, where he also showed his latest creation: the Sauron light.
Bespoke Furniture & Object design: Timeless Craft, Tailored Design
Kim Jordan’s furniture showcases the epitome of traditional craftsmanship married with modern design. Every piece is a collaboration with the client, ensuring their desires and needs are met with unparalleled precision. Whether it’s veneered finishes or pieces adorned with delicate straw marquetry, Kim’s creations are not just functional but personal and timeless.
I enjoy collaborating with clients and designers. I donʼt think design should be a linear process. I prefer to engage the client and understand what their desires and tastes are. Itʼs not enough to ask “what are you after?” – you have to understand what they need a piece to do for them, on a practical AND emotional level. How should it affect a room and the people who are in it? There may then be some back-and-forth, with designs evolving throughout, until we finally arrive at a finished piece
Kim Jordan crafts an exquisite range of homeware accessories, with each piece showcasing the delicate art of straw marquetry. His latest collection of objets, featuring the distinctive Glitch pattern, offers a dynamic array of color combinations that bring a modern twist to this traditional technique. For retail clients seeking something uniquely tailored color-ways can be created, offering a personalized touch to each design.
His lighting designs transcend functionality, becoming true works of art. Through his expert use of straw marquetry, Kim captures the material’s natural reflective qualities, creating fixtures that shimmer with understated elegance.
Cutout, Wall or Ceiling light
80 x 20cm, Straw Marquetry & Fumed Oak
Eventail, Sideboard / TV Cabinet, Oak & straw marquetry
Straw Marquetry as an Artistic Medium
Beyond furniture, Kim Jordan extends his creativity to smaller artistic pieces and objets d’art. His signature straw marquetry technique is showcased in wall art, memory boxes, and other exquisite creations. Each piece is meticulously crafted by hand, displaying the rich textures and dynamic patterns unique to this ancient craft.
Why straw marquetry?
Straw marquetry is all about the reflection of light. Each piece of straw reflects the light in a different direction, creating a sense of movement as you move past it. The opportunity to play with colour is also a bit of a treat for a furniture designer – youʼre not just wedded to different shades of brown.
Traditional art deco patterns are marvellous but Iʼm constantly looking for new ways of showing off this amazing material. The “glitch” pattern (as seen in my light) breaks down the straw into tiny pieces, creating a very different effect.
Kim’s attention to detail is also evident in his range of home accessories, particularly his Glitch Collection of keepsake and tissue boxes. Made from American black walnut and decorated with bold straw marquetry patterns, these accessories combine natural materials with a modern aesthetic.
Zest, Wall Piece, 50 x 40cm, Straw Marquetry
In 2023, Kim Jordan’s exquisitely crafted matchboxes, made from walnut and straw marquetry, earned the prestigious Livingetc Style Award for Best Accessory, a testament to his ability to transform everyday objects into highly coveted works of decorative art. This particular project, created in collaboration with K&H Design, has been one of Kim’s most significant endeavors to date.
Drawing inspiration from a collection of rugs produced by K&H, the matchboxes resonate with both aesthetic appeal and craftsmanship, capturing the attention of design enthusiasts who have embraced them with great admiration. This collaboration underscores Kim’s talent for bringing artistic vision into functional luxury.
here photos © K&H Design
A Rising Star in Design
In May 2024, Kim Jordan’s work will be featured at Future Icons Selects at the Oxo Tower Bargehouse in London, a showcase that highlights emerging talents in contemporary design. This exhibition will offer visitors a chance to experience firsthand the artistry and skill behind Kim’s bespoke creations.
Recognized as one of House & Garden’s 25 Rising Stars of 2024, Kim Jordan continues to captivate the design world with his refined blend of French savoir-faire and British modernity. His work draws on centuries-old techniques while embracing contemporary aesthetics, resulting in pieces that are both timeless and innovative.
As Kim’s reputation grows, so does his commitment to creating pieces that not only serve a functional purpose but also resonate as works of art. Each creation is an homage to the noble materials and traditions he has mastered, offering clients something truly unique and exquisitely crafted.
Kim is represented by Future Icons. •. kimjordan.co.uk •. @kimjordanfurniture
photos © Stella Fitzgerald
