The small design brand, Intarsia Furniture, has undergone a restructuring, and Nanna Aakjær Svendsen, founder and granddaughter of Furniture Craftsman Jørgen Aakjær Jørgensen, is pleased to announce that the company has been established as its own entity as of December 1, 2022.
Despite facing challenges as an entrepreneur due to the energy crisis in 2022, the Danish design brand, Intarsia Furniture, has navigated the year with satisfactory results. The company can now proudly declare its establishment as an independent entity, no longer operating as part of the parents' agricultural business.
Back in 2018, Nanna Aakjær Svendsen conceived the idea of bringing her grandfather, Jørgen Aakjær Jørgensen's furniture back into production and launching the company as a new classic high-end brand. With strong support from the entire family and financial backing from her parents, Intarsia Furniture was initially established as a side venture within the parents' existing agricultural business.
"If it hadn't been for my parents' support and financial assistance, Intarsia Furniture would not have been established. Starting a furniture brand requires significant initial capital for inventory, marketing, and the right branding. I would never have been allowed to borrow from the bank for such a project without demonstrating sales. Therefore, we decided to launch Intarsia Furniture as a side venture," explains Nanna Aakjær Svendsen.
New Opportunities and Ambitions for Growth
Intarsia Furniture currently has 25 Danish retailers spread throughout Denmark. The product range includes sofa and side tables designed by Jørgen Aakjær Jørgensen in the 1950s and a shelf series, Nanna Aakjær Svendsen's own design, sharing the same design DNA as her grandfather. Despite having a small product range, Nanna is satisfied with the results of previous years and is especially excited to reach the milestone in 2022 where Intarsia Furniture becomes its own company.
"Due to good groundwork and sales, I managed to secure a credit line, allowing us to move Intarsia Furniture into its own company. It was always the plan that when the business had a stable income, it should be transferred into my name. However, I must admit that I was somewhat uncertain whether it would succeed before 2023, especially as the energy crisis broke out," explains Nanna Aakjær Svendsen.
The fact that the company no longer operates as part of her parents' business opens up new possibilities and opportunities, such as applying for grants and advice, which the company had previously been denied, says Nanna Aakjær Svendsen.
There are many growth plans for the small high-end furniture brand. The next step is the contract market, followed by export, where the hope is to find agents or distributors at this year's "3 Days of Design event" in Copenhagen, taking place from June 7th to June 9th, 2023, where Intarsia Furniture plans to participate.
Founder of Møbelintarsia in 1948
Jørgen Aakjær Jørgensen (1920 - 2008) was an experienced carpenter and furniture designer of the old school.
Jørgen Aakjær Jørgensen's design DNA is evident in the numerous intricate details, incorporating the marquetry technique, which he blended with the Danish design tradition characterized by simplicity and functionality. Today, his granddaughter, Nanna Aakjær Svendsen, carries on the legacy by producing the furniture.