Ahu Studio Furniture

Ahu is a high-end and bespoke furniture design studio based out of London and Istanbul, that produces made to order, collectible pieces for private individuals and interior design projects of all scales. The designs are limited editions, hand made in Istanbul by master craftsmen in specialised, small ateliers using the highest quality materials and finishes. Founded by longtime friends and Central Saint Martins alumni Eda Akaltun and Mevce Ciraci, the pieces combine works of graphic art with innovative product and furniture design - inspired and informed by the art, craft, history and mysticism of the diverse cultures that have inhabited Asia Minor. Each Ahu piece is crafted in third generation wood-workshops in Istanbul, using methods refined over decades of building the traditional Yali houses that bank the ancient Bosphorus. Metal detailing is hand-worked to order for each piece by expert blacksmiths in copper plated brass. Stained with henna, as has been practice for centuries, the hardwoods’ intricate vein and rich colour are amplified, whilst the surface texture attains a matte velvety finish. The pieces are functional as well as sculptural, bringing stories of good fortune and a sense of well-being into people's homes. The purpose of each piece is to embody the Turkish concept of ikram, the tradition of offering guests boundless hospitality in one’s home. The inaugural collection comprises cabinets, coffee tables and mini-bars inspired by the evil eye (or Nazar in Turkish). Each piece is adorned by a marbling design, drawn from the 15th Century technique of Ebru which originated in Turkey, Persia and India. The works of art are created by co-founder Eda Akaltun who uses a combination of hand made marbling technique with digital post-production to breathe a contemporary aesthetic into the crafted pieces. The sculptural Ka’Ve tables are designed to be statement pieces for any room, with their shapes drawn directly from co-founder Eda Akaltun’s artwork. The Ka’Ve 01 is made in a limited edition of 12 + 4 AP, with a high gloss lacquer table...