New age: Ritzwell

Creating timeless interiors is important to building a more sustainable future. That might mean ignoring the latest trends, patiently educating clients, and investing more into a project. But when furniture has been designed to stand the test of time, it overrides trends, it treasures our finite resources, and it develops a warm patina that appeals to our wellbeing.

For Japanese furniture manufacturer Ritzwell timeless design is achieved by fusing the tradition of Japanese culture and design philosophy with the function of 20th century international modernism. Each piece is a precious object, made with high quality natural materials and artisanal production methods – skilfully crafted for the durability of decades of use. Yet it is also modern in design, which means being versatile, modular and offering a wide range of dimensions and finishes.

Therefore, choosing a timeless piece of modern furniture for an interior doesn’t mean losing the agility and flexibility of contemporary design. Ritzwell’s new releases for 2021 feature new products and updates that are sophisticated, yet also flexible enough for large spaces and durable for contract use. They are pieces that are pleasant to the eye, but also to the touch, and capable of stirring emotions – qualities that are needed now more than ever, as we return to offices and hospitality accustomed to the comfort of our homes.

The Leewise Exclusive sofa is a new modular sofa characterised by its spacious upholstery, roomy cushions, stitched seams and low seating height of 38.5cm which is typical to Japanese living. As well as bringing comfort, the carefully crafted back, seat, and armrest design bring maximum functionality. The solid ash frame features slim wooden staves that form a balanced grid which designers can personalise with padded elements in matte black and matte grey hues. Additionally, the sofa’s modules offer much versatility, with lengths ranging from 80 to 250 cm, and corner, ottoman and chaise longue elements.

What makes the Leewise Exclusive sofa feel so timeless is its wooden frame – it is Ritzwell’s only modular sofa that has a totally wooden structure. The naturally durable material is central to Ritzwell’s designs, and the quality and precision of the artisanal woodworking techniques bring an innate sense of beauty to each piece. Across the other releases for 2021, wood is combined with materials such as thick, soft leather and metals equipped with precious and resistant finishes.

Ritzwell’s MO table series celebrates the beauty of wood with a deep solid muku wood tabletop thickness of 4cm with softly curved corners. Now available in six different sizes, the series of matching tables can be combined across large interiors such as a hotel lounge. The MT table series celebrates wood’s soft and delicate properties with its slim, slightly rounded top that is smooth and pleasant to touch. With delicate metal legs, it is also available in a range of sizes, types of wood, and seven metal finishes.

The MO Bridge series is another versatile design that is polyfunctional – it can be used as a stool, coffee or occasional table, or a functional or decorative bench. Now available in two new designs, the MO Bridge Bench and the MO Bridge Square Bench, the series features thick belts of woven leather upon a smooth elegant solid wood frame. While the design is practical, the natural materials and artisanal craft techniques contribute a sophisticated aura.

What matters most to Ritzwell is that over time, furniture preserves its beauty and acquires a ‘patina’ or in Japanese, ‘furubi’. This can be seen in Ritzwell’s new dense matte black and matte taupe gray finish for wood – new this season and available across nearly all products. The finish improves durability through technology, yet also absorbs light so there is less reflection, creating the unique presence of a timeless piece of furniture.

© Architonic