There are chairs that make an impression from across the room, and there are chairs that win you over the moment you sit down. Mika manages to do both.
Designed and made in Christchurch, Mika is a study in thoughtful craftsmanship – balancing sculptural form with everyday comfort in a way that feels effortless. It’s the kind of piece that quietly earns its place in a room, never demanding attention but always deserving it.
It all begins with the frame. Solid beech timber legs give Mika a confident, architectural foundation, their clean lines adding strength without heaviness. There’s a sense of permanence to the design—a chair built to be lived with rather than simply admired.
Beneath its refined silhouette is an equally considered interior. A carefully engineered inner back structure works alongside generous cushioning to create support where it matters most. Rather than relying on oversized proportions or excessive padding, Mika delivers comfort through thoughtful design. It’s the sort of chair that encourages you to linger a little longer.
What makes Mika especially compelling is its versatility. Soft curves meet crisp lines in a silhouette that’s distinctive without feeling tied to a trend. It can anchor a contemporary living space just as naturally as it complements a more classic interior, adapting to its surroundings while maintaining its own quiet identity.
That balance between design and function recently saw Mika presented at Wellington’s Textile Talks, upholstered in a fabric from Gastón Domínguez’s collection for Gastón y Daniela. The collaboration reflects an ongoing conversation between Kovacs and leading textile houses—exploring how fabric can shape not only the appearance of a chair, but also the way it feels, performs, and ages over time.
It’s a fitting reflection of the Kovacs approach. For more than six decades, the company has been crafting furniture in Christchurch, carrying forward traditional European furniture-making techniques while embracing contemporary design and locally sourced materials wherever possible. The result is furniture made with longevity in mind – pieces designed to become part of everyday life rather than passing trends.
Mika feels like a natural continuation of that story. Beautifully proportioned, quietly confident, and genuinely comfortable, it’s a chair that proves the best design isn’t just about how something looks. It’s about how it lives with you, day after day.