Our First Furniture Design
Month: May 2025
Custom Stools for Clay’s, in Collaboration with Tabilo
We’re best known for designing spaces – but this time, we designed something you can actually sit on. For our first venture into furniture design, we partnered with the brilliant team at Tabilo to create a custom collection of stools for Clay’s – a vibrant, high-energy hospitality concept inspired by the world of clay target shooting.
Custom Stools for Clay’s, in Collaboration with Tabilo
Tabilo – specialists in custom contract furniture – were the perfect partners for this creative leap. With their deep knowledge of fabrication and materials, they helped us bring a shared vision to life: seating that was not just functional, but truly expressive.
These stools were designed to feel like an extension of the brand itself. Every element was intentional – from the vivid colour palette inspired by the British countryside, to the detailed stitching that subtly echoes the circular motif of clay targets (a nod to the venue’s name and concept). Earthy tones and deep burgundies are uplifted by vibrant teal accents, striking a playful balance between heritage and energy.
What made this collaboration so rewarding was the freedom to push boundaries. Tabilo’s willingness to explore finishes and adapt designs meant we could really experiment – not just with colour, but with texture, shape, and storytelling. The result is a set of stools that aren’t just furniture, but characterful design pieces that hold their own in a busy hospitality space.
This project marks an exciting step for us – our first foray into product design, driven by the same principles we apply to every interior: creativity, craftsmanship, and collaboration.
Surface Design Show 2025
Month: May 2025
What Inspired Us This Year
We always look forward to the Surface Design Show – it’s one of those events that never fails to spark new ideas. This year’s edition, hosted as always at the Business Design Centre in Islington, was no exception. It was a full-on celebration of innovation, sustainability, and material creativity, all under the theme Creative Conscience.
Highlights from the Surface Design Show 2025
It’s a theme that really resonated with us – encouraging designers to think beyond aesthetics and consider the ethics, sustainability, and emotional impact of the materials we choose. Across the exhibition, we saw some incredible new surface technologies and future-facing materials that pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in interior design.
Here are a few key takeaways that stood out:
- Sustainability as a Standard
From recycled composites to plant-based finishes, sustainability wasn’t an afterthought – it was central. The best materials weren’t just eco-friendly; they were genuinely beautiful, too. - Tech-Enhanced Surfaces
We were inspired by innovations that blend technology with design – whether it’s smart materials that adapt to their environment or production techniques that reduce waste without compromising on creativity. - Designing for People
A more human-focused approach was evident throughout the show. There was a clear move toward materials that enhance wellbeing, sensory experiences, and emotional engagement – a concept very close to our own design philosophy. - Playful, Purposeful Colour
We loved the way colour was used not just decoratively but to evoke mood, define function, and bring a joyful energy to sustainable design.
It was a powerful reminder that surface design is about much more than finishes – it’s about the values and vision that shape the spaces we live, work, and gather in. We left full of ideas and inspiration, and we’re excited to see how some of these materials and concepts can feed into upcoming KAI projects.
If you’re navigating a challenging design brief or looking for innovative material solutions, we’d love to help bring your vision to life.
Why We Planted 300 Trees
Why We Planted 300 Trees Instead of Sending Christmas Hampers
Every December, inboxes fill up with e-cards, courier vans stack up with gift boxes, and we all do our best to spread a little cheer. But here at KAI, we wanted to do things differently last Christmas.
Rather than sending out the usual hampers and gifts – lovely gestures, but often left unopened or unused – we decided to do something that would have a more lasting, meaningful impact.
So in honour of our amazing clients, collaborators, and suppliers, we planted 300 trees with @Ripple Africa to help combat deforestation in Malawi.
It was our way of saying thank you – not just for your support in 2024, but for believing in the kind of future we want to help build: one rooted in care, sustainability, and considered choices. Because for us sustainability isn’t just a design buzzword, it’s embedded in how we work – from using low-VOC paints and recycled materials to championing energy-efficient design solutions. The tree planting was a natural extension of our commitment to designing with intention and integrity. Each tree represents a relationship we value deeply. A small but powerful symbol of growth, partnership, and long-term thinking – just like the spaces we create.
Trees do more than absorb carbon. They support biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, provide habitat, and create balance in our ecosystems. That’s why we see them not just as gifts, but as investments – in our planet, our communities, and the future we all share. So instead of celebrating the season with ribbons and wrapping paper, we chose roots and renewal.
Here’s to growing thoughtfully, together.