Kelsey is the owner and maker behind Tapiola. Born in Northwestern Ontario, she grew up beside a small lake and trapline and became fascinated with what nature has to provide.

Studying forest ecosystem management in 2012 and then working in BC’s logging industry made her learn about the importance of forest’s supportive ecological and economic communities. This importance led her to look at clear-cuts and “waste” wood in a new light. She started utilizing and artistically up-cycling abandoned fibres that were once forest.

Over the last 10 years she has worked various side jobs such as fiberglassing in a boat yard, cabinetry installations and timber framing on Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. Picking up skills along the way and growing comfort with different woodworking machinery.

Most recently, Kelsey ran a woodworking shop for 1 year based in Powell River BC on tla’amin traditional territory - servicing the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.

She has now relocated to Ucluelet BC to continue her woodwork.

Kelsey’s goal at Tapiola Design is to reframe how we look at our natural resources, used or “new”, while sharing its story with art and furniture.

5% of Tapiola sales go towards a community forest in Canada.