Our work
The most important thing we’ve built? A reputation.
True to you
Generations of care in craft.
This history is not taken lightly; every care is taken to maintain the tradition of hand-made, artisan focus through each stage of production. From sourcing leather and fabrics to constructing frames and sewing upholstery every cut, stitch or nail is undertaken with care.
Our close supplier relationships, carefully forged over these years, ensure we can source our materials from companies that parallel our devotion to the craft.
Discerning consumers recognise the difference investing in true luxury provides. That difference? The most comfortable, durable and timelessly stylish furniture you’ll own. From our factory, to your homes and businesses, our furniture is still made here, and still true to you.
For tomorrow
Our environmental responsibility
We continuously strive to make improvement in our sustainable practise, ensuring the lowest possible environmental impact and long-term positive results for our business and for our customers. We are always looking at new ways to positively shape tomorrow, this mind-set is focused, our resolve unwavering.
Material Strength
We always champion the use of sustainable wool instead of artificial fibres in our furniture, a natural choice that markedly reduces our carbon footprint. We also use water-based solvent-free adhesives that have no environmentally harmful VOCs. We are continuously working to minimise and eliminate plastics within our manufacturing processes.
Wood for the Trees
Kovacs frames are predominantly made from indigenous silver beech from Southland’s natural and second-growth forests. These privately owned forests must prove that they are managed to precise standards as part of a detailed and long-term sustainability plan. This involves the forestry gaining a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry approved Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan or SFM Permit.
Reducing and Managing Waste
During manufacturing various measures are taken to ensure the environmental management of all waste materials. Wood working machines are equipped with vacuum sawdust collecting facilities, scrap metal is collected and is recycled where possible, and packaging materials are reduced, carefully sorted, and quickly recycled. Both foam and wool waste is returned for recycling.
The Journey to You
We are always looking to minimise and mitigate environmental impact as Kovacs furniture makes its way to you. There are many ways the logistical processes involved with packaging and shipping can be positively influenced – and we’re seeking to evolve and improve our work here.
Our raw material
At Kovacs our furniture leathercraft focuses on sourcing, assessment and careful placement of the various grades.
No two hides are ever quite the same – which means every piece of furniture using this material is absolutely unique.
Get up close to good leather and you’ll see the difference. It’s the smell, texture, the touch and look of quality that sets a high-end piece apart. Cheap ‘processed’ stock does not feel like this. However nor are the most expensive leathers necessarily the most practical for furniture in some environments.
With semi-aniline leather there’s a minimal amount of processing, the light coating ensures some protection from soiling while still retaining a natural feel. It’s how we gain the balance of luxurious touch and longstanding toughness.
We have used the same Italian tanneries for two decades now. Back then we were drawn to their passion and commitment to the craft. Today they’re still absolutely dedicated to producing the highest quality leathers.
Each hide naturally has durable thick areas and other, more delicate places that can stretch further. Assessment is a simple but exacting process. The different furniture zones play a big part in placement. There are wear zones, visible zones, creases and hidden spots. Trying to get the right balance is not a science, but an art.
First each hide is stretched to identify any imperfections. Then the patterns are marked and graded for different areas. Working with it is a very tactile experience – it rewards those who know what they’re doing.
Buying leather furniture can be similarly rewarding, as the true nature of this material will reward you for decades after purchase. For the educated furniture purchaser this enduring style and comfort is worth every cent.
Any New Zealand furniture maker worth their salt should prove their wood comes from a sustainable source. We’re proud our furniture is grown here.
We use indigenous silver beech from Southland’s natural and second growth forests. These privately owned forests must prove they are managed to precise standards as part of a detailed and long-term sustainability plan. This involves the forestry gaining a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry approved Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) Plan or SFM Permit.
This wood is strong, hardwearing and provides a smooth canvas for high quality finishes. At Kovacs frames are hand-cut, then glued, screwed and corner-blocked for sturdiness. Details are finessed and the pieces assembled to create the final chassis. This process takes time – quality craftsmanship always does.
At Kovacs frames are hand-cut, then glued, screwed and corner-blocked for sturdiness.
We think it’s worth it. Dig beneath the surface it’s easy to see why some mass-market furniture is so cheap – it’s often constructed with international timber from ecologically damaging sources. We make furniture for future generations to enjoy. Which is why we use high-quality New Zealand timber from environmentally sustainable sources.
Why do we use New Zealand wool in Kovacs furniture? It’s about simple common sense and obvious natural strengths.
Humans have used wool since approximately 10,000 BC for good reason. The highly breathable and remarkably flexible material is resilient, fire-resistant, and, as long as there are sheep here in New Zealand, absolutely renewable.
While there are many alternatives in the modern era, the enduring capabilities of wool make it ideal for use as padding material in quality furniture. Its resilience and elasticity means it will bounce back quickly and easily when pressure is applied and, similar to its performance for clothing, it also has the ability to regulate temperature.
Sourced from Kiwi suppliers who share our ethos of quality, sustainability, and community, we offer wool products as an option for many of our models.
Be it providing a buffer between springing and foam, acting as a soft protective layer between foam and fabric, or as an internal fill for cushioning, this wool takes many different shapes. There’s loose crimped fill (crimping gives it 50% more resistance than standard strong wool), wool knops (as an alternative to polyester fibre), and needled wool sheets (which range from 350 gram through to a 750 gram heavyweight sheet that resembles felt).
At Kovacs we are proud to support our local industry while ensuring our furniture is the best it can possibly be. That’s why we champion New Zealand wool.
CONTACT US.
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Christchurch
Factory and Showroom
1000 Ferry Road
Ferrymead, Christchurch
03 384 2999
[email protected]
Showroom viewing by appointment only - please phone 03 384 2999
Auckland
Trade Showroom
159 Design
159 Great North Road,
Grey Lynn
Auckland
Open 8.30 – 5.00pm weekdays
09 309 5553 or 027 493 6004
[email protected]
Wellington
Wellington Design Library
282 Thorndon Quay
Wellington Central
Wellington 6141
04 471 2800
[email protected]
Wanaka Pop Up
Architecture + Design Library
2A Frederick St,
Ballantyne Road,
Wānaka 9382
0274 235 098
[email protected]