Krikor Studio

Luxury handmade design in Uruguay

Krikor Abrahamian - Uruguay 

Hand-finished unique pieces, an obsession with details, and production timelines that prioritize quality finishes. These are the principles with which Krikor Abrahamian works at the helm of his namesake wood laboratory, carrying his Armenian heritage. His father and grandfather are also named Krikor, a distinctive appellation that he grew to love over time. At 35 years old, this Uruguayan designer has already made a significant impact on both the local and international scenes. From his studio workshop in Montevideo, he creates subtle lines of furniture with organic and rounded shapes.

Wood bench by Krikor Studio

Trained at the Faculty of Fine Arts in Uruguay and the ORT school, where he studied graphic design, Abrahamian worked at Mutate, a furniture store with a presence in José Ignacio and Buenos Aires, which highlights collections in its catalog that align with the modernism of the '50s and Nordic design. It was there that Krikor took his first professional steps: "I immersed myself in the true intersection of art and design." He then embarked on trips and internships, one of them with the design studio Designo Patagonia, based in Bariloche (Argentina). "There, I used a sander for the first time and understood the connection between design and production," emphasizes the designer from his studio in the heart of Montevideo.

Unique design pieces by Krikor Studio

"Plaqueta" table by Krikor Studio

Abrahamian creates pieces from walnut, oak, or ash, personally choosing imported materials from certified and forested forests. Courtesy of Krikor Studio.

The type of cuts, the qualities of the material, the purchasing process. These are the knowledge he acquired while starting to build his own client base, mostly in Argentina.

His family of boards, tables, shelves, and objects encapsulates a material and technical investigation, where joinery techniques, tonalities, and new typologies converge in a creative laboratory that keeps growing. "I'm interested in challenges; soon I'll start a material search in marble and metals. I believe they blend very well with wood, especially the contrast of precious metal inlays," emphasizes Krikor.

Bedroom Bench by Krikor Studio

From his studio workshop in Montevideo, Abrahamian creates subtle lines of furniture with organic and rounded shapes. Courtesy of Krikor Studio.

Always solid, never veneered. This steadfast principle branches out into pieces made from walnut, oak, or ash, personally chosen imported materials from certified and forested forests. "Wood is a living element, in constant dialogue with the environment, allowing the creation of unique objects or very limited editions, aiming for refined joinery," he says. This fusion, where creativity, craftsmanship, and workshop tools converge in creation, involves a special development time. "I try to use as few machines as possible; all the work is manual and artisanal. There are pieces that can take me more than 20 days; they require delicate and complex finishes," confirms Krikor, an enthusiast of photography and kite surfing in Laguna Garzón.

From inspiring travels through the city, he is drawn to antiques and urban textures, capturing them with his camera. "I'm fascinated by glassware; faceted vases and ashtrays are my weakness. From my recent visit to the neighborhood of San Telmo, I came back with several whiskey glasses," he comments. Among his influences, the designer cites Eladio Dieste, a Uruguayan engineer renowned for his brick architecture. He also acknowledges María Freire, a painter, sculptor, and leading figure.