Founded by Australian-Indonesian couple Caroline and Andrew Olah, Reddie merges a contemporary aesthetic with traditional craftsmanship, all underpinned by ethical production in Java, Indonesia. Caroline, a trained interior architect turned furniture designer, founded the company when she couldn’t find furniture to fit her projects. “The whole idea was for an interior designer to be able to select from our standard pieces and be able to really tailor that piece to suit their space,” says Caroline.
The pieces are made to order and can be adapted in colour, finish and size to suit residential settings as well as hospitality and workspace environments, without the lead times or costs typical of bespoke production.
Reddie takes a refreshingly simple yet impactful approach to sustainability by using discarded materials as its primary resource. The pieces are largely made from reclaimed teak, salvaged from old railways and houses that the Olahs discovered in Java. They built their own production facility there and, over time, developed processes to transform this irregular material into smart furniture, which still retains the wood’s natural characteristics, such as nail marks and patched join holes.
“We wanted to go somewhere that had amazing hand craftsmanship, and that’s really hard to find these days,” says Caroline. “And then we discovered northern Java, with its woodworking and rattan workshops. It feels like home to us, so we knew that this is where we needed to be. It’s just such a beautiful place where there are still so many makers doing really interesting things. And it’s also a region that can produce on a mass commercial scale as well.
“We have a minimalist style, but after working with local engineers and craftsmen on the ground, we’ve really incorporated a lot of classic woodworking details, so the pieces have a bit of a vintage element to them,” she continues.
Reddie also integrates recycled plastics sourced from a female-led micro-enterprise in Indonesia to produce vibrant materials in 12 colours suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Pieces come upholstered in locally milled fabrics that meet UK and European fire regulations and feature high rub counts, and Italian and Indonesian leathers selected for durability and tactility.
Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, Reddie’s 2,000 sq ft showroom occupies what was once a bank and then an art gallery. It showcases Reddie’s core collection alongside new releases, including the Low Café Chair and best-selling Stool Series.
Photography by Ivan Jones
Find out more over on Reddie’s website here.
