We are always fascinated when we discover brands that boast great style, and even more so when they offer practical solutions for the family home! We are currently loving the brand Woodjoy, which exudes creativity and timeless design. We had the chance to catch up with Eva Gyorki, the Founder, and learn more about her gorgeous products.
WE WOULD LOVE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU! WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW DID YOU ENTER THE KIDS’ FURNITURE BUSINESS?
I studied nursing and psychopedagogy, so I know a lot about needs and care. I’m also a mother of two boys (who are now teenagers) and experienced the necessity of having the right furniture for them at home. In addition to this, I have been managing a social enterprise for many years which is constantly looking for ways to integrate social responsibility with sustainable, long term projects – so in 2010 it seemed a good and natural choice to start producing furniture and toys. That same year, we were lucky to find a collaborator, Mircea Jiga, who was the perfect person for the design work and production supervision.
HOW YOU DESCRIBE THE BRAND’S APPROACH TO DESIGN?
We always have in mind functionality when we design for kids, but it’s important too that the furniture is aesthetically pleasing for any room in the family home, so they can be placed anywhere.
Based on Montessori principles, we use natural materials and make the furniture in the right size for children, helping them to be independent and take ownership of their space. This invites them to learn and engage with the furniture, at the same time as they participate in activities alongside the rest of the family.
I believe that kids’ furniture should add to the natural beauty of any room, so therefore I’m particularly fond of timeless Scandinavian design and concepts. Lines are simple and colours are natural or pastel, creating the perfect complementary piece, whether it be a colourful or monochrome room.
WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECTS WHEN DESIGNING FOR KIDS?
Beside safety issues such as round edges, standard compliant materials etc, we think that the furniture should give kids exciting possibilities to sit, stand, play and to be creative. We also like to enable parents with simple and practical storage solutions.
Normally, kids furniture created according to Montessori principles will quickly get outgrown as they are created in just the right, small sizes. So therefore, we wanted to give our furniture multi-functions, so they can adapt and transform continuously, and even be used by parents too. For example, our kids chair can be used as a side-table later on, and the bench as a long shelf or TV furniture.
Right from the very start, we placed emphasis on sustainability – developing and producing high quality, safe and sturdy furniture for a long-term use. Our skilled craftsmen are proud to create each piece with love and care.
All our products are produced in our own factory with raw materials from sustainable, responsibly exploited forests, with respectful working conditions.
We use solid FSC certified beech and birch plywood and exclusively, water-based lacquer-colors, which neither smell nor contain solvents.
CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BESTSELLERS AND WHY THEY ARE SO POPULAR?
One of our bestsellers is the Montessori Multifunctional Table and Chair Set.
Our customers love it because it can be used in so many ways! The chair can be used as table, the table as an armchair..and both can be used as a stool, night stand, nested coffee table, storage box or plant support.
The Montessori Big Bench With Shelf is also a very loved article, since it has a double use: bench with storage place for shoes, toys, books or turned around it can be the first desk for the child.
Our storage boxes are actually also drawers or shelves, using a safe hanging system.
WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR WOODJOY?
We are working on developing new versatile products 😊
These includes new items such as a clothes hanger rack and wardrobe, but also accessories for the items we already have in collection….and maybe, also some toys 😊
Thank you Eva! All Woodjoy products can either be purchased in their international webshop or at Etsy
