&Tradition 'In Between' Armchair SK1: The Balance of the 'Crescent Moon' Backrest and Woodworking Created by Sami Kallio
Between the Dining Table and Desk: A Practical Answer to 'Armchairs with Armrests'
The In Between Armchair SK1 features a structure where the backrest and armrests are connected as one piece, softly bridging the boundary between dining chairs and armchairs. As the name 'In Between' suggests, it is characterized by not limiting the furniture's role to one function and instead fitting it into various spaces. This model is considered the starting point of the series in its all-wood (solid wood seat) version, where the material's texture and form lead the user experience.
The Brand's Intersection of 'Reissues and Contemporary' Design
&Tradition, based in Copenhagen (founded 2010), is known for its approach of placing reissues and contemporary designs side by side within one catalog. In fact, the brand's trajectory of expanding 'showrooms that create spatial experiences' is connected to an attitude of treating products not as singular objects but as parts of living scenes. In this context, In Between is a line that is 'new furniture' while bringing the familiar touch of Northern European woodworking to the forefront. For reference, the SK1 and SK2 fact sheets list Sami Kallio as the series designer with the year 2013.
Brand Background (Copenhagen, 2010) SK1·SK2 Product Fact Sheet (2013)
How Sami Kallio's 'Traditional Craftsmanship' Becomes Design Language
Sami Kallio, born in Helsinki and active in Gothenburg, has reinterpreted Northern European design heritage through his own woodworking sensibility. What makes In Between interesting is that the manufacturing method itself, rather than 'decorative details,' determines the form. According to the fact sheet, the legs and armrests are made by turning solid wood on a lathe (woodturning), while the seat and side panels are constructed through a formpressing process using veneer. This combination precisely refines the 'gaps' and curves of the back and sides, reducing visual bulk and clarifying the structural rhythm.
About Sami Kallio Explanation of 'Gaps' and Crescent Moon Silhouette
Design Points: Crescent Moon Backrest, Thin Panels, and Curvature Where the Hand Rests
The essence of SK1 is the 'crescent moon' outline created as the backrest and armrests merge together. The back and side panels are not completely closed but open, working as a structure that appears visually light while distributing the weight of leaning. Additionally, the curvature is adjusted so that as the armrest extends toward the end, the cross-section where the hand grips feels stable, creating 'the comfort of an armchair' even in brief dining situations. For reference, strength and durability test standards (EN specifications) and FSC Mix certification are confirmed in the official fact sheet.
Test/Certification Markings Product Purchase
Installation Example: Black Lacquer Finish, 'One Chair' That Organizes Visual Lines
In the Black Lacquered Oak option example completed for delivery on December 1, 2025, the chair's outline became more distinct, giving the space a tidied appearance. User reviews centered on satisfaction with 'the finish tone as specified in the option,' and in photos the seat and frame read as one unit with the table underside appearing clean. Even when a dark tone is chosen, the open structure on the sides is advantageous in not creating excessive weight.
Conclusion: Dining Chair Efficiency, Armchair Comfort—Both Needed in Spaces Where
In Between SK1 has too many details to be used only as a 'dining chair,' while it doesn't occupy as much space as a 'lounge chair.' Thanks to its open back and side structure, it is particularly advantageous in small dining areas or home offices where visibility needs to be maintained. Emphasizing wood tones pairs well with bright Scandinavian-style flooring, while black tones naturally work with metal and stone for contrast. Most importantly, this is the type of design where the chair's identity emerges not from its form but from the 'result of manufacturing methods,' making it a design worth explaining even as time passes.
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