About Kerfwork
Founded in 2023 in Victoria, BC, Kerfwork is an independent furniture design studio. Designed and built in-house by founder Brendan Harrington, the studio brings together traditional joinery and a contemporary exploration of form and material. Each piece is a study in both craft and concept.
Before turning to furniture, Brendan Harrington pursued oil painting and photography. He went on to become a Red Seal cabinetmaker, training at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, and spent fifteen years working in architectural millwork before founding Kerfwork.
His influences are eclectic, ranging from Wendell Castle and the studio furniture movement to the radical forms of Ettore Sottsass and the material honesty of Pierre Chapo.
Kerfwork has been featured in Western Living, Elle Decor Quebec, Spruce Magazine, and Furniture & Cabinetmaking magazine, and has twice been named a finalist for Western Living’s Designer of the Year award.
Design Philosophy
Kerfwork takes a subtractive approach to design. Forms are reduced to their essence, creating space for the unexpected. We explore material and proportion to create moments of play, quietude or surprise.
Each piece has a singular identity, and never at the expense of function. Unusual ideas become a functional part of everyday life.
A Traditional Approach
Hand tools are used every day at Kerfwork. They connect us to the work, to the material, and allow us to evaluate each piece as it unfolds, ensuring the highest quality outcomes. Traditional, time-tested joinery is the key to long-lasting furniture. It is furniture that is durable, repairable, and evolves over time—a gift to future generations.