Kogle Helsinki: All furniture deserves thoughtful design

By Ndéla Faye | Photos: Miika Meijer

Rooted in Nordic minimalism and guided by a deep respect for nature, Kogle Helsinki’s timeless made-to-order creations reflect founder and master carpenter Oleg Kasatkin’s belief that even the humblest pieces of furniture deserve beautiful design.

After years of working as a carpenter, Kogle Helsinki’s founder Oleg Kasatkin began to question why stools are often treated as an afterthought, tucked into corners and only pulled out when absolutely necessary. “I wondered if a stool could be more than just functional,” he says. “Could it be beautiful, an integral part of a room rather than something to hide away?”

The Tyine stool can be customised with a choice of three natural stones, pictured here in green marble.

That question sparked the creation of four signature stool models. Each is made to order in Helsinki, crafted from hand-picked oak, personally chosen by Kasatkin. From sawing and joining to the final finish, every stage of the process is carried out with meticulous care, resulting in a durable piece designed to last for years.
The stools are customisable in material and finish, with options such as natural stone, leather, or fabric upholstery; the same design can take on an entirely different character and feel.

Kogle Helsinki: All furniture deserves thoughtful design

Furniture can also be a work of art

Kasatkin’s love of nature and making things by hand stretches back to childhood days spent building dens in the forest. Since 2010, his work as a carpenter has taken him from Finland to Australia and Denmark, where he absorbed a design ethos defined by clean lines, natural materials, and quiet restraint – an approach that lets beauty emerge from simplicity.

The brand name Kogle – Danish for pinecone –reflects his time in Denmark and his lifelong fascination with pinecones. By coincidence, the word also contains the same letters as his own name, simply rearranged. Kogle represents a modern woodworking tradition where high-quality design, traditional craftsmanship and contemporary techniques merge. Each piece of furniture is carefully designed and crafted by hand with durability and aesthetics in mind.

Recently, Kogle Helsinki was awarded the prestigious Design from Finland mark, which is given to products that have been designed professionally in Finland. The plan is to bring Finnish design and craftsmanship to the world. The pieces invite you to slow down, notice the natural beauty of the materials, and let them speak for themselves. “A stool can be a place to enjoy a morning coffee, or it can serve as a beautiful nightstand. Furniture is not just about function, but about how it shapes daily life,” Kasatkin concludes.

Kogle Helsinki: All furniture deserves thoughtful design