Added value, all along the line

The choice of the name “Extremis” is not a coincidence: in Latin, the word refers to “extra-ordinary”: innovative products using honest, extremely durable materials.

However, “Extra-ordinary” surely also refers to the out of the ordinary designs as wellas to the “external” use. “Ordinary” stands for a simple, logical and timeless design combined with honest materials, always at the service of functionality. Extremis’ “formalism” has always been the logical result of a functional need. This functionality can be situated on different levels: production, ecology, ergonomics, mobility, concept and last but not least the actual use of the object.

Designed to serve

Today Extremis offers solutions for outdoors that often are equally perfect or even more suitable for indoors as well (Arthur, PicNik, Sticks...), compared to other companies that sometimes do indoor things that can be used outdoors. In the way we live our lives nowadays,  the boundary between indoor and outdoor is fading, the product differences that will not disappear are embedded in the weather conditions they will have to cope with.  Except for some adapted versions of our products, Extremis designs all are perfectly suitable to resist the elements. Consequently, only the best (and unfortunately always the most expensive) materials are good enough.  More than 10 years of experience has proven that quality always pays off, for our customers as well as for us.  The only 'disadvantage' for us is that our furniture lasts so terribly long…

I think I'm still old-fashioned about one thing : I believe that a product always should serve the user.  It should not just be a fashionable thing that will make the designer a superstar, it should include perfect functionality, quality, a reason of existence and intelligence.  Functionality is not only about ergonomics (although that's a very important part) it's also about limited maintenance, easy assembly, practical use, even transport volume.  Quality has to do with materials, but also is about design into the smallest detail and how long aesthetics last.  The reason of existence has to do with originality, responsibility (ecology) and consumer needs.  Finally, intelligence has to do with clever solutions that surprise and also improve and simplify the product.

Tools for togetherness

Dirk Wynants: All along the  years that I have been creating and manufacturing Extremis products, I have always been guided by a gut feeling I could not immediately describe. As the range expanded, however, it became more and more clear to me what this feeling really was : I am passionate about  creating products that improve being together with other people.

Improving something also implies that you have to make an existing product better or provide a new solution.  I am sure that this is one of the most difficult parts of the design process, and that providing added value compared to what was available before is a very difficult challenge. 

Simply outstanding stuff / Sexy outstanding stuff

Extremis - simply outstanding stuff.  We try to make things as simple as we can, and that's not easy, it sometimes is very, very difficult.  We also believe we offer a range of outstanding things, regarding a lot of them are literally standing outside. Likewise,  they are just outstanding on every level.  Stuff is all kinds of things, not just furniture: things to enjoy, to live with, tools for togetherness. 

In this website and in our other communications tools you will discover product shots that really tell the story our products have to tell, putting the product itself on the second level (also that is part of the story).  We want to show these are humble, honest products for everybody. Products that also hope to improve the user’s life by offering every day solutions in order to enjoy being together with family and friends, to have fun.  Even to compensate the hectic stressful life we all live today.  All these pictures include my family and friends, and they show what I value in life. Our stuff is made for people who treasure these same values.  Trying to enjoy everything you do is not a goal to be ashamed off. 

Hope you enjoy our stuff equally well.