12.01.2023
Sound absorbers made of pine
Furnishing panels made of natural pine needles by Okkastyle fulfill two tasks - firstly, the thorn panels look nice in a Nordic, clean, and minimalist fashion, their second value is the noise-absorbing function, which makes them appreciated, for example, in sound studios and public spaces.
The young entrepreneur Margus Siilik is behind the development of the idea of thorn panels, according to whom it is a completely natural product that is made by hand. The materials are hand-picked needles from Estonian forests, sheep felt mat, linen fabric, and a wooden frame to which it all attaches. To tint the needles, Okkastyle uses natural colors, and the glues used in the work process are also natural.
The fact that thorn panels are known to be the only furnishing product made from pine needles adds exclusivity to the panels. The fact that the Maarja Küla company hires people with intellectual disabilities to pick thorns for the panels is also worthy of recognition, for whom this is an important outlet on the labor market. "We get branches from RMK's cutting boards, we take them to Maarja Külla, where clean thorns are picked out. This is followed by drying, impregnating the thorns with fireproofing and drying again. Only then will we start shaping them," Siilik describes the long process of making thorn panels.
Although, according to Siiliku, the company has a stock of needles, so they do not have to go to the forest for needles after each new order, those who place the order still have to take into account a waiting time of about three weeks. "This is not the kind of product that you come to the office and walk away with tiles. Together with the customer, we inspect the object and then we put the order into operation," said Siilik, adding that after all, the delivery time also depends on the complexity and quantity of the work.
The first interior panel made of pine needles was sold to Okkastyle about two and a half years ago. To date, the popularity of the thorn board has also reached outside Estonia, receiving a positive response from European interior design fairs as well as, for example, from a South Korean interior design distributor.
Thorns for the production of panels are collected from trees located on RMK's cutting forks.
Thorn panels with Nordic fashion and design give the room personality.
In addition to their unique appearance, thorn boards also have a sound-absorbing effect, which is why they are well suited for spacious rooms.
The panels are made from pine needles, sheep felt and wood.