Nicolene van der Walt x Kolors
Handcrafted forms meet volcanic colour
Nicolene van der Walt creates sculptural, functional design objects and free-standing furniture with a strong focus on craftsmanship and material integrity. Working exclusively with solid wood from sustainably managed German forests, she hand-builds each piece in her Berlin-Neukölln workshop. For her presentation at Maison&Objet Paris (January 2025), Nicolene chose Etna — a volcanic ash-toned, naturally textured matt paint by Kolors — to finish her custom-designed pedestals, adding depth and quiet drama to the exhibition.
Nicolene found it truly nice to work with the paint. "The paint’s subtle, brushed texture worked to my advantage, concealing minor imperfections from the pedestal construction process. It added depth and character, creating a beautiful contrast against my exhibition pieces, which were made from smoothly sanded wood. Applied by hand with a brush, the texture remained visible in the brush strokes, adding to the overall materiality of the display."
"The colour Etna had just the right balance — it was subtle enough not to overpower my black-oiled wooden objects, yet still provided enough contrast to make them stand out. The finish worked well in my exhibition, providing a textured yet neutral backdrop that supported the presentation of my work."
MARCH, 27 / 2025
Image credits: Anne Deppe + Lilika Strezoska