ABOUT THE COMPANY




Solli is a design studio dedicated to the creation of hand-crafted, timeless furniture showcasing the innate beauty and authenticity of wood and its unique ability to fuse with other natural materials.

At Solli, a product is designed very much from the heart. Function and design are of equal importance and we believe one cannot work without the other. Each Solli piece has been invented by Sohel himself. He likes to keep things simple by taking everything out that is not needed to present an elegant yet simple piece for someone to enjoy.


At its core, Solli strongly believes in not putting waste in to the environment. This drives the entire design and production process. By trying to avoiding trends, we look to create statement pieces that are built to last with the promise that it will still look good in a hundred years.

Solli has to its credit, many multi-national and corporate clients who are looking for quality, personality and a uniqueness to the product that reflects the nuances of the both the maker and the user.

Wood is beautiful and we try to showcase exactly that. We hope you enjoy our furniture as much as we enjoy making it for you.


SOHEL





Sohel Contractor is the Creative Director at Solli.

Sohel has an engineering background and after a short stint as an automotive engineer in New Zealand, Sohel decided to follow his heart and return to his true passion; woodworking. After working on various office and house renovation projects, the company Solli was born.

The process of building furniture by hand, particularly something that has multiple functions really appealed to Sohel. He thrives on taking a complicated idea and coming up with innovative easy to use solutions.

What followed can only be described as a labour of love. He continues to dedicate all his time learning about the process of woodworking and understanding the nature of wood. His engineering background reflects in his geometric and technical designs, and it also gives him the groundwork to understand the process of combining wood with different materials.




Zahabia




Zahabia Abid is the Mind that matters in Solli, ensuring Sohel’s creativity remains unfettered and free to explore the vision of Solli. Zahabia studied finance in London and pursued an international career in Investment Banking at Management level across UK, US, Spain and India. Zahabia is now the discerning marketing force that strategically coordinates alongside Sohel with the clients, to ensure Solli’s mission is possible through every project.

OUR PHILOSOPHY


Function and design are of equal importance The intended primary function of the product is the inspiration for the design to take form. Using both pencil sketches and 3D drawings, we put together a life size model where we decide on final materials and refine scale and form.

Material

We use various types of wood in our projects based on the function and look we are going for. Each piece of wood we work with is hand selected for its grain pattern and colour. We also ensure the right species of wood is used for the right purpose. All our wood is tested for the right moisture content before the start of the project.

One of our favourites is recycled Teak which is an absolute joy to work with. While wood is the primary material of choice, we are constantly experimenting with new materials to work with. We like to combine wood with materials such as metal and stone in a way that complement each other and bring out the best of their individual qualities.




Construction

At Solli, we try to apply traditional woodworking values to modern functionality. Our craftsmen use joinery techniques that allow them to eliminate the use of screws and nails wherever possible, instead using joinery techniques to fuse pieces together. This not only makes the joints stronger but is also aesthetically pleasing. Each piece of wood we work with is hand selected keeping the look and form of the final product in mind. Design is never compromised for function and vice versa- we aim to use the best quality materials and hardware. Where required we have the in-house expertise to fabricate our own hardware.



Finish

Every Solli piece is hand-finished. Wood is beautiful, and we showcase exactly that. Careful attention is paid to sanding and prepping before finishes are applied, to showcase the truth in the way each piece is built. We also formulate our own finishes. We tend to prefer natural, open grain finishes that feel completely natural to the touch while offering protection and needing minimal care.




BESPOKE

We work with both individuals and corporates on bespoke projects. A bespoke piece is something that takes shape from a blank canvas keeping the client / project in mind.

We will hold an initial meeting with you to understand yourrequirements. Our key objectives are to understand both your aesthetic sensibilities and the primary function of the piece being commissioned. Where possible, we will also visit the installation site to get a better sense of the overall space.

Based on an initial agreement on approximate estimates, we will provide you with a graphic representation of design ideas and material samples.



Where appropriate, we may also present visual references, ideally using our previous work, to detail critical aspects of the end product.

Once the final design, budgets and expected time frames have been agreed upon, work begins.

Timely written updates and photographs are provided. Our partnership does not end at delivery and installation. We will work with you on any details or modifications that maybe needed. We want you to enjoy the furniture as much as we enjoy making it.




Bespoke