Individuality Comes First

"Out of 100 customers who come here looking for ideas and advice, 98 place an order," says Renate Möller, summing up the effect Scholtissek's showroom in Schledehausen/Bissendorf near Osnabrück has on potential buyers. The company's co-founder is also one of its executive directors. Her husband Reinhard Scholtissek is the other – and explains why the showroom makes such a huge impact: "Elsewhere, people buy furniture. When they come to us, they buy something that will become part of their lives." The showroom – a unique ensemble of 200-year-old half-timbered buildings – is known as the Wamhof. Situated just 6 km away from the production site in Ostercappeln, it is a perfect reflection of the firm's core values: Scholtissek turns nature into design – and you sense that at the Wamhof, which is also home to the furniture company's ideas forge.

Inside, Scholtissek's current collection of tables and cabinets conjures up a puristic atmosphere. The minimalist, understated tables are the manifestation of a fascination with fine wood that has endured for more than 40 years. They are made not just of European hardwoods but of unusual varieties such as apple and Karelian birch from e.g. the USA as well. But there's one thing you won't find here: wood from the rainforest. "We only work with solid wood and have special expertise in making tables," says the boss, summing up the firm's philosophy. Scholitissek makes and honours a compelling promise of excellence: every solid wood tabletop is created with a unique grain pattern. "Every table is one of a kind," says Renate Möller, "just like our customers. That's why so many of them take the trouble to come here specially to choose their individual tabletop."

It's definitely worth the trip. What's on show ranks amongst the best-quality furniture in this segment to be produced in European. The aesthetics of sophisticated, puristic design in combination with entirely hand-crafted production – that's what sets Scholtissek apart from so many other companies. In many cases, the quality of the craftsmanship is fine – but the design falls short. And just as often, the design is great – but the workmanship leaves a lot to be desired. In Scholtissek's case, both are utterly convincing.

Besides the catalogue collection, one-offs and made-to-measure solutions also play a major role in Scholtissek's business nowadays, as do unusual accessories for the home and garden. Exclusive private and commercial interiors are also part of Scholtissek's work. And the tubular steel chairs are upholstered and covered with leather in the firm's own workshop too.

Bringing fresh impetus to habitual ways of thinking and adopting an approach to life and work that ensures the years don't pass by without leaving any room for dreams: it's the people who work here who, together with the management, make Scholtissek so unique. A sparkling solitaire set in the Osnabrück Land.

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Photos: Heiner Köpcke, Maria Otte

Scholtissek GmbH & Co. KG
Bremer Strasse 40
49179 Ostercappeln
Telefon 0049 (0) 5402 9858 0
Fax 0049 (0) 5402 9858 31
info@scholtissek.de