skano classic

SKANO CLASSIC
The bookcases today
The story of one of the most unconventional bookcase systems in history
continued in 1994. The dimensions, production methods and materials
were taken over from the Billnäs Bruk’s historic originals.
History of Skano
bookcases
The Skano bookcase system has gained popularity among book lovers
and furnishers in Europe and elsewhere, largely owing to the quality of
the units and the fact that its elements can be easily combined. The modules are constructed at the factory and can be placed on top of, or next to,
each other to create the desired size and effect. The design can always be
supplemented or rearranged.
In 1882 in Cincinnati, an American businessman Henry C. Yeiser founded a furniture factory, the Globe Files Co., producing furniture for offices and libraries. Around the same time, another furniture factory, the Wernicke Co., was established
in Grand Rapids in Michigan. A couple of years after, the Wernicke Co. developed a bookcase model which consisted of
interlocking, modular units of different sizes. These elements created different complete sets when placed on top of, or
next to, each other. This model fascinated Henry C. Yeiser and he acquired the Wernicke Co. factory. The latter was renamed the Globe Wernicke Co. after its new owner. In December 1892, Henry C. Yeiser acquired a patent for this unique
bookcase system. The bookcase system turned out to be a true success story and attracted interested in Europe as
well. After the expiry of the patent, many other furniture manufacturers started producing a similar model. The major
producers in Europe included Shannon Registrator, Minty and Gunn in England, Aug. Zeiss & CO (later Zeiss Union) and
Soennecken in Germany, and Lingel in Hungary.
In Finland, Billnäs Bruks Ab started the manufacture of American style office furniture in 1909. The Globe Wernicke
bookcase system played a major role in that product range. The manufacture of American style office furniture was
discontinued in the 1960s and the furniture factory with such long traditions was closed.
An old bookcase advertisement. Picture: The Globe Wernicke Co., Cincinnati, USA.
Wide range of use
The Skano modules come with either glass or wooden doors, and include
drawers of different sizes. Additional shelves, fitted inside the modules,
can be installed at the desired height.
The standard width of shelf and drawer modules is 87 cm and standard
heights include 31, 36 and 47 cm to fit the different base and top elements of corresponding sizes.
The Skano modules can be combined to range from a standalone shelf in
the entrance hall to a library which fills an entire room.
Traditional materials
Today, Skano furniture is manufactured from solid birch, blockboard and
plywood using modern technology.
The furniture comes in three standard shades – dark brown, light brown
and chestnut stain. Special finishes available include antique white, white,
blue, grey, green paint, plus mocca, oak, mahogany, black and wood wash
stain.
The sanded surface is stained and then varnished twice. This makes the
surfaces durable and easy to maintain.
SKANO CLASSIC • living room
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Practical and beautiful
The unique glass door, opening up and in, keeps the books on the shelves
free from dust and still provides a good overview of everything that the
bookcase holds. The glass door can be removed easily for cleaning. Classic
brass or nickel knobs add elegance to the finished product.
Books are some of the heaviest items kept on shelves – all Skano shelf
modules are specially designed to carry heavy loads.
In addition to the regular module width (87 cm wide), it is possible to order
bespoke width sizes to create a combination which fits the size and character of the room to be furnished. You can also add outer corner elements
to modules with doors, or leave exposed the classical Skano decorative
mouldings – whether black or white, nickel or brass.
Antique white, grey, green and blue paint finishes employ ageing treatment
to highlight the elegant features and historical background of the furniture.
SKANO CLASSIC • office corner
Extensive possibilities
The Skano furniture range has been developed with our clients’ needs in
mind. The furniture has, therefore, many different applications and features.
The Skano inner and outer corner elements allow the bookcase units to
run from wall to wall using space effectively and creating elegant solutions.
The classic range includes a shelf module to allow bookcase sections to
run above doors, windows and other openings. In this way, the bookcases
can be designed to achieve the best use of space and a bespoke solution.
Where necessary, the bookcases can also be ordered with lockable doors
to provide a higher level of protection for books and other items.
The secretary’s module with door provides the perfect workplace in the
library or living room, if there is no space for a standalone desk. The Skano
base element is also available with a hidden drawer – it opens with a gentle push on the front panel.
SKANO CLASSIC • library
Contemporary and classical
Choosing from different tones of finish and decorative mouldings, and
using modern ceiling elements and base frames, you can create a very
contemporary design with Skano bookcases. The nickel-plated knob and
side moulding add to the contemporary feel of the furniture. The Skano
furniture range also includes sleek wall-mounted shelves which can be
fitted without a base or lateral section.
SKANO CLASSIC • living room
Woodwash
Our woodwash finish has a natural clarity and the tinge of grey/green
brings nature indoors. Reflecting a growing trend in interior design, the
highlighted grain structure of birch is used to create a soft natural touch
to the furniture. This finish is considered to be a classic colour for the 21st
century, alongside the original dark brown.
The woodgrain ensures that no two pieces of furniture are ever alike. The
special finishing gives an entirely individual look to each piece. The stain
finds its way deep into the structure of the wood and does not let minor
scratches on the surface show. With a smooth and light overall feel, furniture with the woodwash stain sits well with white painted furniture units,
and in traditional or contemporary interiors.
SKANO CLASSIC • woodwash
Workplaces
The Skano furniture range is more than just a system of bookcases or a library. In addition to the original bookcases, the collection features cabinets,
desks, chairs, rotating shelves, and much more.
Despite the growth of digital storage in the home, paper based files and
records are still needed. A shelf module with a height of 47 cm has been
developed to accommodate these in A4 or banker box folders. This is in addition to the original bookcases with a height of either 31 or 36 cm.
The desks and computer desks are ideal, both for the home and office, supplemented by era-specific chairs, allowing the creation of an elegant study.
Office chairs with ergonomic seats – whether with armrests or without –
are comfortable, and match the Skano furniture style. The revolving chair
on rubber wheels and with swing-mechanism gives its user complete freedom of movement.
Old photos and drawings have been used in designing Skano desks to reflect the classic and traditional techniques of cabinetmakers as accurately
as possible.
SKANO CLASSIC • Boston desk
The roll top desk features a lockable blind. This beautiful piece of furniture
is of a traditional and historically accurate design. The lockable desk has
eight drawers and two pull-out panels, ideal for holding documents or a
computer mouse. The middle drawer of the desks can be replaced by a
pull-out for a keyboard which adds free working space on the desk.
Alongside the desks, the Skano collection features two sizes of document
cabinets with lockable blind. The drawers and shelves move with ease on
high quality sliders and make life easier in a home office with many documents, and all sorts of office equipment. The cabinets have wheels for
easy relocation, and a removable back panel with cable openings which
simplifies the installation of miscellaneous office equipment.
SKANO CLASSIC • desk with blind
Rolly, Rotary, Rolly Max
The Rolly bookcase on wheels can be relocated easily and is ideal in a
reading corner, as a table carrying a lamp, or as a bedside cabinet or
flower table.
The tall rotating bookshelf (Rotary) has 6.5 metres of shelf area – perfect
for anyone who needs a lot of books to be within reach. Rotary is also ideal
for a small family library.
Rolly Max is one of the latest additions to the Skano line, combining the
functions of a bookshelf and a coffee table.
SKANO CLASSIC • Rolly Max
Dining room
The Skano shelf modules are ideal for dining room displays to hold your
china, glassware or other dining room accessories.
The Skano furniture line includes five dining tables of different size and
shape – from small side tables to the large round extending table. The
design of the dining tables employs motifs unique to Skano and characteristic historical features.
In addition to dining tables, the Skano dining room collection includes
comfortable chairs which match the other elements in the collection.
SKANO CLASSIC • dining room
Desk “Boston”
Code E-01
1400 x 764 x 800 mm
PC-desk with drawers
Code E-11
1300 x 794 x 600 mm
Manager´s desk
Code E-12
1800 x 790 x 900 mm
Desk “Boston” + shelf
Code E-01 + E-02
1400 x 1036 x 800 mm
PC-desk with keyboard drawer
Code E-05
1300 x 794 x 600 mm
Manager desk side table
Code E-13
1400 x 770 x 760 mm
Bureau desk with roll-top
Code E-03 + E-04
1400 x 1067 x 760 mm
Small chair
Code F-03
440 x 940 x 490 mm
Bureau desk
Code E-03
1400 x 770 x 760 mm
Small dining table
Code E-10
700 (1320) x 682 x 500 mm
Manager´s desk with side table
Code E-12 + E-13
Dinig table chair
Code F-04
470 x 980 x 510 mm
Chair with arms
Code F-01
590 x 1010 x 550 mm
Dining table with extensions
Code E-40
1300 (2300) x 762 x 900 mm
Large dining table with extension
Code E-17
2060 (2930) x 762 x 1050 mm
Office chair
Code F-02
640 x 1020 x 640 mm
Wide Dining table with extensions
Code E-41
1300 (2300) x 762 x 1050 mm
Round dining table with extension
Code E-19
Ø 1200 (1750) x 764 mm
Sofatable with drawers
Code E-06
1200 x 600 x 700 mm
Bookmill ”Rotary”
(revolving)
Code D-19
600 x 1552 x 600 mm
Sofatable “Rolly Max”
Code E-14
1000 x 500 x 500 mm
Wardrobe
Code D-20 + D-23
866 x 1979 x 623 mm
Rounded table
Code E-07
Ø 750 x 670 mm
High filing cabinet
with castors
Code D-17
600 x 1058 x 600 mm
Small filing cabinets
with castors
Code D-13
600 x 766 x 600 mm
Commode
Code D-22
800 x 770 x 410 mm
Mini bookcase ”Rolly”
with castors
Code D-18
500 x 690 x 500 mm
Large Rolly
(on wheels)
Code D-28
540 x 830 x 540 mm
Rolly for CD/DVD
(on wheels)
Code D-26
500 x 690 x 500 mm
Wall shelf
Code A-21
866 x 260 x 200 mm
Coat rack
Code G-03
506 x 1930 x 506 mm
Wall rack
Code A-23
866 x 260 x 200 mm
Ladder
Code G-08
565 x 1672 x 980 mm
Bookstand
Code G-02
Letter rack
Code G-01
31 cм
87 cм
NATURAL
01
WOODWASH stained
12
OAK stained
13
LIGHT BROWN stained
02
DARK BROWN stained
03
31 cм
31 cм
8,5 cм
31 cм
31 cм
CHESTNUT stained
04
MAHOGANY stained
06
MOCCA stained
16
BLACK stained
05
GREEN painted and
patinated 09
Skano Classic items are
made from the natural
birch, which gives its own
unique structure and
colour for each piece of
furniture.
BLUE painted and
patinated 10
WHITE painted
11
ANTIQUE WHITE painted
and patinated 08
GREY painted and
patinated 07
All the finishing samples in
this catalogue are illustrative – the actual colour of
products may differ from
that shown on photos.
40 cм
171 cм
36 cм
47 cм
17,5 cм
40 cм
BLACK with NICKEL moldings
ANTIQUE WHITE with BRASS
moldings
WHITE with WHITE moldings
LIGHT BROWN with BLACK
moldings
40 cм
31 cм
Please visit SKANO 3D Room Planner on our website www.skano.com.
The Skano Classic line furniture planning program allows you to easily design and furnish a room with your custom measures.
40 cм
This catalogue or parts thereof may not be copied without the permission of Skano Furniture.
All photos in this catalogue are illustrative - the actual colour of products may differ from that shown on photos. Skano Furniture
and Skano are registered trademarks. Skano Furniture retains the right to make changes in the furniture line without notice.
www.skano.com
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