Made in Michigan: Kindel Fine Furniture
We Discuss Craftsmanship, Design, And the Future of Kindel Furniture Brands with the Grand Rapids Company
At Jennifer Butler Design, we pride ourselves on creating functional, beautiful and sustainable interiors for our discerning clients. Part of this commitment is our dedication to utilizing the highest quality, locally-made pieces from thoughtful manufacturers. It turns out, we have one of America’s most authentic, luxury furniture makers right here in our back yard, in Grand Rapids. (Actually, we have quite of few makers in these parts, hence this blog series.)
Since 1901, Kindel Furniture has maintained an ethos of craftsmanship, scholarship, and authenticity through fine furniture pieces. Every piece at Kindel is 100% custom and handcrafted. With superior execution, their team is dedicated to “uncompromising craftsmanship and relevant design”. In recent years, the luxury furniture company has acquired two more brands (Karges and Councill / Councill Contract) that bring diversity to their portfolio. With this breadth of resources, they can quite literally build anything a designer brings them. So we wanted to know more, and spoke with them recently at their Grand Rapids facility.
“Kindle’s custom capabilities are limitless. Our quality construction builds furniture to last. This is not disposable furniture. That is a sustainable story in itself.”
Jennifer Butler Design: Kindel is steeped in old-world tradition. How do you integrate technical advancements into your business?
Kindel Furniture: Our business, being founded on classic design and reproductions, has always had high standards to maintain the complexity and integrity of design. Technical “advances” by our vendors don’t always translate to improvements, when holding to a standard of hand craftsmanship. Some of the designs that we must execute today can’t be done with machines, and that is our value proposition. Our artisans are very attuned to new methods and product, and we experiment with materials, coatings, and methods before we institute change.
JBD: The intense level of craftsmanship is clearly visible in every piece you design and make. What are the considerations when designing new pieces or collections? What are you looking to solve?
KF: First and foremost, we look at sales and consider additions that will sell. Lifestyle dictates how people live with their furniture. Today, our best-selling items are the most versatile in their use: Chests, console tables, occasional tables. We just introduced a configurable chest program that allows the client to select all the design elements themselves. The beauty of that is we don’t have to wonder what the designer or consumer wants. We have always been a “made to order” brand, but now with Facets, we have laid out all the options available to direct the process, and allow customers to build it by what is most important.
We also look at gaps in our product line and fill in there. Since we are made to order, many of our product development direction comes from our clients. We make custom modifications everyday, and some of those requests offer great ideas for new product.
JBD: How do you integrate sustainable practices into your design?
KF: We buy from responsible vendors who value sustainability as well. For example, lumber suppliers who maintain their own forests, and those who reforest responsibly are important to us. We also feel that our quality construction builds furniture to last. This is not disposable furniture. That is a sustainable story in itself.
JBD: What challenges do you face with everything being handmade?
KF: Sometimes there are no easy ways to create intricate designs but the way they were historically made. It takes time and labor, which builds cost. Not all customers value that, which we know. We are a niche manufacturer that serves those who want luxury furniture with fine, hand-crafted details like carving, meticulous joinery and fit of parts, hand-fit drawers, beautiful fancy face veneers, hand rubbed finishes.
Our job is to educate the consumer to the value of our differences. Once we teach the client to “see” the difference, they very often return to buy more when they are ready. Our goal is not to sell an entire house full (though that sometimes happens, and we like it) but to sell that one special piece of furniture that is an investment. That special piece reflects the consumer’s value for beauty and luxury even though there is not an entire room of it.
JBD: How do you keep up with changes in your industry and the design community? What keeps you relevant?
KF: As I mentioned we have the pulse on designers, because we do custom design. They will modify dimension, style, function, etc to meet their client needs. We learn from them. We also have several designer partnerships on which we rely for feedback and advice.
JBD: How are you preparing for growth?
KF: Our business can escalate with a large commercial project that may require 100 chairs. Cross training our artisans to divert work where needed daily is the key. Many of our artisans are highly-skilled craftspeople who can perform multiple tasks, and they love it. They are passionate, and have built longevity because of this passion. We need to be nimble to focus on efficiency when building bench made furniture daily.
JBD: What’s the “next big thing” we’ll see from you?
KF: For us, the future is being the source for all luxury choices in furniture - more abilities to customize product, to make decisions about how to make your furniture unique and your own. Currently with Facets, we have added a hand-painted, wallpaper option that can be added to door chests. This allows clients to totally create unique designs that make it their own. We offer over 65 finish colors and will easily match your Benjamin Moore paint color.
JBD: Grand Rapids remains strong in commercial furniture production, with giants like Steelcase, Haworth and Herman Miller, but not as many residential manufacturers are.
KF: Clearly, Kindel represents the last of the residential furniture makers remaining in Grand Rapids. Founded in 1901 and moved to Grand Rapids in 1912 during the height of the “Furniture City” era, Kindel has maintained its mission to craft beautiful furniture in Grand Rapids. We are proud of our Fisher family ownership, who has protected us and guided us to carry out this mission.
Kindel Grand Rapids is a “true, American, luxury brand”. Learn more about Kindel Furniture and get inspired for your own interior design project. From West Michigan to Harbor Country, the Petoskey Area and beyond, Jennifer Butler Design is committed to partnering with designers and makers from all over Michigan, who excel at their craft. Check back as we continue to explore within the design community, on all things Made in Michigan ! #MadeInMichigan