For a certain type of person, taking an (unplanned) year off from college can yield unexpected advantages. And Dimitar Palanski, the Bulgaria-based woodworker behind the home accessories and lighting shop Paladim, is precisely that type.
When faced with spending more than a year away from his studies after not passing his second-year university exams, Dimitar opted to move back to his hometown, Blagoevgrad, and begin working as a bartender. “It only lasted a month,” Dimitar says. “I didn’t really enjoy it. But once I had all my days free, I had to do something — I am not one of those people who can stand to do nothing all day.”
Instead, the lifelong maker and tinkerer — he grew up reworking broken toys and rebuilding old bikes, and went on to design computer games and dabble in graphic design — immersed himself in some minor home-improvement projects. It was on one of his routine trips to the hardware store that the proverbial light bulb went off: “I noticed some pendants and hanging lamps that were not very nice, but were still being sold for a very high price,” Dimitar recalls. “I was surprised, and as I walked around the store and saw that they also sold everything you needed to build your own simple lamp, I wanted to try it for myself.”
A few weeks and several more trips to the hardware store later, Dimitar had a handful of prototypes for what would become his Kran lamp — now available in more than a dozen iterations. Within seven days of listing it on Etsy, the lamp sold, and Paladim was officially off the ground. Today, it’s Dimitar’s full-time job — and employs his brother, Svetoslav, and a third designer, too.
To learn more about Dimitar’s journey from stalled student to expansion-minded entrepreneur, read on.
Tell us about your workspace: Where do you do your creating and what tools do you use? What’s the most important tool in your workshop?
We work in my grandparents’ garage, which was a complete mess at first, as you can imagine — it was a regular garage full of all kinds of stuff. In the beginning, I was using only hand tools — a small hammer, pliers, and a saw. Later I got a jigsaw, a drill, and a belt sander, and then I added a buzz saw and a better drill, and the upgrades haven’t stopped yet. The most important tool, and the one we use the most, is the jigsaw. Cutting the wood we use takes a lot of work — and sanding and staining do, too. However, our equipment makes it possible to craft the kind of high-quality products we want to make.
How do you go from an idea to a finished product? Do you begin with sketches or start hands-on with the materials? What’s your workflow like?
Inspiration hits you like a train sometimes — and it can happen anywhere. When it does, I usually go to the workshop to try out the idea as soon as possible. It’s the same for the other people on the team: Davis often surprises me with some new concept without even saying a word. Unnecessary discussion can kill an idea, and while a sketch can be useful for clarifying a design, taking some wood and actually building the thing always gives the best results.
After the first attempt at a design, however, feedback is a must. Constant improvement is something we highly respect, and nearly every single one of our products has changed at least once since we first made it. The Kran lamps have evolved to be very different from the original. When we find a way to improve something, we do it. And when we don’t, we keep looking. Sooner or later, the results always come — you just have to think harder and try harder. If we don’t progress every day, every day we fall behind.
What’s your favorite item to make? Do any of your designs have a special personal meaning for you?
My favorite design is the Kran VI: I have a special connection to it. It was the first product I sold, and the one I have been working on the longest. Designing it, I had to think about the heat, the wiring, the bulb, and the socket. Then I went back to it again, and found a way to improve the socket and the heat. Then Davis had another idea to make it more stable, and then another and another. The Kran lamps also have their own character, which I think you can easily see. It is not just a lamp, but it gives very good light. It is my companion at home, the one that is always with me when I work or read.
What’s the most popular item in your shop, and how did you develop the design for it?
The most popular product we have is the Romb I wall clock. It’s a funny story, really: Back in 2012, when I had just started Paladim, my mom was cleaning the house and had some stuff ready for the trash — including an old plastic clock that used to hang in our living room. I saw it and decided I could use parts of it to make a better version in my workshop.
I only took the mechanism, which still worked, and threw out the rest. That is not unusual for me: When I was a kid I loved broken toys — maybe even more than new ones. If I could find a broken toy and take a motor or a light bulb or some cables from it — or better yet, some gears or axles — it was better than Christmas. I always collected the electrical components and mechanical elements from toys; I was so interested in mechanics and physics.
Using the mechanism from my mother’s old clock, I made the first version of the Romb I. It looked similar to the current design — not so smooth and high-quality, but with a similar shape. And it didn’t have any hour marks yet. A few days later, I had the idea to add hour marks, so I did, and took some new photos, and the first order came right away….then the second, and the rest.
What’s your favorite part of your job as a designer?
My favorite part — what keeps me motivated and the reason I’m still doing this — is that I love to create and make stuff. When I was a little boy it was toys, then it was making bows and arrows from wood and building tree houses. I also used to make small sculptures from wire and have tried to build engines, too. I have always wanted to know how things worked, how they were made, and why they were designed one way and not another.
Having a workshop is a dream come true for me. If you only knew how much I wanted one when I was a kid: I always dreamed of having a place where I could go and create whatever I wanted to. And now, after four years of working on Paladim, I can say that we have a small but nice workshop of our own. Sometimes I go there by myself just to enjoy it — to see and touch the machines and to feel the energy that my team and I have put into it.
Where do you find inspiration?
We get a lot of inspiration from our customers. You can’t imagine how many ideas we have been given by people with custom requests: You only have to be open-minded and allow yourself to see things from different angles. When the perspective changes, other things change, too. What seemed good may get better — or it could fail; what seemed bad may get even worse, or it could become a great product or opportunity.
Another major source of inspiration for me is nature. It captures me with its simplicity: It is genius, it is remarkable. You can be sure that whatever nature creates is the best thing to be done, in the best way possible.
The word “simplicity” comes up a lot in your descriptions of your designs. Why is that concept so important to you?
As Einstein put it: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.” That is what my team and I believe in. Our designs are simple, yet significant. And at least for me, minimal design brings some order to the mind and thoughts. Keeping more room in your space keeps more room in your brain. These days we are bombarded with all kinds of information — TV, radio, news, blogs, social media, chats, ads. Maybe it’s good to relax more often and refresh ourselves, and having too much of everything makes that harder than it has to be.
When we have an idea for Paladim and are discussing the concepts, we always think about how we can make it a reality in the best way possible. Our initial idea should always pass the process of simplification. This not only makes the products look better and more stylish, it makes them durable, long-lasting and safe. We take pride in doing such quality work.
What’s next on the horizon for your shop? What are your goals for the future?
One definite goal is to upgrade our tools and means of production in order to be able to execute more of our concepts in the best way we can. I also hope we will start building furniture, as well. Whatever is coming, you will see it. Let us surprise you!
Follow Paladim on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
All photographs courtesy of Paladim.
Shop Paladim
91 comments
Richard from LeedsRadio said 4 years ago
Great story and nice looking work space and product. Congratulations.
Michela from LilyandFern said 4 years ago
Beautiful work. Congrats!
Jakub Chmielniak from MrGuguMissGo said 4 years ago
Simple and beautiful :)
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 4 years ago
Excellent designs. Congrats on creating a successful business! All the best, Dimitar and crew!
Kristina Beganovic from blackbirdbag said 4 years ago
Your story kind of reminds me of mine. I also saw a small crossbody puse and thought I could make that. And so I did. The rest is history. Congratulations and wishing you lost of success!
Theres from MoonyWool said 4 years ago
Really inspiring. Congratulations on your awesome feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 4 years ago
LOVE the Kran lamp!!! Makes me want to watch a Pixar movie!!! ;) So much fun to see this type of lamp made entirely of wood!!! Congratulations on the feature and many blessings for your continued success!!! :D
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 4 years ago
Great home accessories and lighting! Congratulations on the feature!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 4 years ago
I adore your shop! Congrats on the feature.
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 4 years ago
Your work is amazing! Congratulations!
Chen Xiaojun from SamgharamaStudio said 4 years ago
Like ur simple but awesome style.Congrats on the feature.
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 4 years ago
Beautiful work, congratulations on the feature!!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 4 years ago
Simple and beautiful! Congratulations!!!
Maha and Menna Atef from Selsal said 4 years ago
Unique designs! Congrats
Violeta from Vioviolla said 4 years ago
Great story and work! Congrats on the feature.
DeUno from DeUno said 4 years ago
Great workshop! Congratulations on the feature!
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 4 years ago
Such unique pieces, congrats !!
Accessorise from Accessorise said 4 years ago
Congrats! Amazing job!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 4 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Dimitar for sharing your wonderful story, simple aesthetic, & smart designs with us. Peace.
LivingVintage from LivingVintage said 4 years ago
Clean, classic designs. Congrats!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature!
Emily Lim from shuqi said 4 years ago
Detail, nice,design. Congrats:-)
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 4 years ago
Congrats on a great feature! You are so talented... I love your work!!!! :-) I wish you all the best in the future!
Hale Ogsuz from HaleOgsuzArt said 4 years ago
Wonderful and unique pieces. Talented and nice personality. Congrats on a great feature. And thanks for sharing your nice story, really inspiring. All the best!
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 4 years ago
I like the practical, modern designs, yet unique pieces of art. Dimitar, congratulations, it was a quite a journey to success.
Tim Condron from InOro said 4 years ago
Cool photo's and great feature! Best for a fantastic future!
Gennady Barsky said 4 years ago
Awesome photos!
Mary Moorkens from MaryMoorkens said 4 years ago
Love the design process and ideas . . and the stories . . that produce such unique and great products !
Jacqueline from JacquelineTribble said 4 years ago
Fun, modern, and unique designs - they look great!
Aga from AgasJourney said 4 years ago
Great work. Huge congrats and best wishes
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Wood is one of my favorite materials and you have created some wonderful pieces with it. Best wishes!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 4 years ago
Great designs! Congrats!
HydrangeaJewelry from HydrangeaJewelry said 4 years ago
Beautiful work!!! Gorgeous!!! Congrats!
Klara from klaradar said 4 years ago
Congrats on your designs and craftsmanship! Great feature! Радвам се да видя още един успешен български магазин във Featured Shop!
Kremi Petkova from Happy2cycle said 4 years ago
Proud to be a Bulgarian once again!
Julia K Walton from JuliaKWalton said 4 years ago
Really unique and interesting products - love the shop :o)
Ana R. from ongoodroads said 4 years ago
Love your work and your story! It's so awesome to see an idea/dream come to life. Great job!
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 4 years ago
Fantastic Designs! Congrats!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 4 years ago
Great story and items! Congrats on the feature!
Niki from CaramelAppleBooks said 4 years ago
Nice story!
Cathy from CCXStitch said 4 years ago
Love your story, beautiful items!
Cathy from msbijouxbeads said 4 years ago
Lovely and truly unique shop, congratulations on the feature!
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 4 years ago
Beautiful story & creations! Congratulations on the feature and best wishes for realizing your highest goals & dreams :)
aressa from OriginalBridalHanger said 4 years ago
Nice clean designs....Awesome!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 4 years ago
"If we don’t progress every day, every day we fall behind" I can't say it better myself. I love your passion to learn and create. Wonderful simple, practical shop.
Patti Trostle from PattiTrostle said 4 years ago
Congrats on the feature...wonderful designs!
Lynnhks from Lynnhks said 4 years ago
Love the designs, congrats! I really like that clock, simple lines very practical!
Devon Cameron from Gourdament said 4 years ago
Congratulations! Love the rustic simplicity of your work!
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 4 years ago
Great story. Your items are wonderful and yes the Romb I clock is my favorite. Thank you for sharing your story and I wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors. Keep up the great stuff.
Dashgin Ahmadzada from ArtOfDN said 4 years ago
woooow ))) Superrrrrr/....
prairieoats from prairieoats said 4 years ago
love your work, congratulations!
Niki from JandEdoodles said 4 years ago
Love those lamps and your story. Congrats on the feature!
Renata Sponn Design from Sponndesign said 4 years ago
Beautiful work. Congrats! ?
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 4 years ago
Beautiful! Especially the vase and the clock. Congrats and more blessings!
Snazzy Living from Snazzyliving said 4 years ago
Love your collection. Congrats on the feature.
SnoopersCorner from SnoopersCorner said 4 years ago
Wonderful success story! Nice work, too...congratulations on the feature.
Rebecca from dellabellaBoutique said 4 years ago
Great shop! Congratulations! :)
Cheridah Spaulding from CheridahSpaulding said 4 years ago
Inspiring story and great work. Best for the future.
Valerie from vtylercollection said 4 years ago
Seriously exquisite collection. Love the sleek minimalism. It's really inspiring what a clear. concise vision you have for your products and brand too.
Jennifer and Gary Pierce from LoftAtticEarth said 4 years ago
Love how you use rustic wood in a modern design! Keep following your dream!
Lertpan Pathamavuthikan from orientaltribe11 said 4 years ago
Congrats. Great work.
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 4 years ago
Great feature you are so talented and I just love your work. Much continued success!!!
Megan McCurdy from OldSoulExpressions said 4 years ago
A breath of fresh air... your sense of style is one of a kind! A unique expression of simplicity, a brilliant combination of beauty and functionality, and a stunning presentation! Truly inspiring! Bravo! Congrats on the feature! :)
hq handmade from HQhandmade said 4 years ago
What a nice story...your work in Paladim is just fantastic...and yes! you're right simplification is just the best. HQhandmade
plad from plad said 4 years ago
Beautiful and simple minimalist design! And ....so nice to see another bulgarian artist here! Huge congrats on the feature !!!! Браво :)
Lisa Northcraft from TheNorthLives said 4 years ago
I appreciate wood working as my husband is a wood worker/craftsmen. He restores vintage trailers so I know about all the heart & soul that goes into design, creating & completion. Your work is beautiful! I especially love the wall clocks you have created. Great job! Congrats on this feature too! Blessings, Lisa TheNorthLives
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 4 years ago
Fantastic minimalist creations! Congratulations on the feature!
Denise Elliott Jones from DeniseElliottJones said 4 years ago
nice!
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 4 years ago
Classic and beautiful. Congrats on the feature
Lizzie from IslandLizziesCurios said 4 years ago
So simply creative with ageless styling! Congratulations and Best Wishes for continued success.
Natalia from KMalinkaVintage said 4 years ago
Awesome creation :O)
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 4 years ago
Beautiful items! Congratulations on business feature and success!
YOUNG from IONstudio said 4 years ago
Great story! Congratulations on the feature!
Jema Watts from BadgeShack said 4 years ago
Very cool shop. Congrats on being featured.
Alina from AlinaandT said 4 years ago
yipee, congrats Dimitar! awesome article!
Aysun Demir from WallKnot said 4 years ago
Well done guys! Congratulations!
Rasa Rabaciene from PRINTDECOstudio said 4 years ago
Great work, love the natural wood, congrats!
AngeLina from AngeppettoToys said 4 years ago
Bravo! :-)
LENNY from LENNYshop said 4 years ago
Congratulations for wonderful creations of this talented boy from my homeland!
MilVel from CozyMilArt said 4 years ago
Absolutely lovely shop. You are so talented. Congrats, boys!
Michele Lea from NawteaKittea said 4 years ago
These wooden lamps are the coolest things!
Donka Tsaneva from PersaBags said 4 years ago
Well done guys! Keep the good work! Awesome shop!
Doris Kubicki from EvalinasChalkShop said 4 years ago
I love your creations, congrats!
Katy Allgeyer from ArtBarn said 4 years ago
Cool!
Tsvetelina Mi from Mitreva said 4 years ago
Bravo momcheta!
Somethingmelt from somethingmelt said 4 years ago
cool
Elizabeth and Jeffrey McGee from AdliteCreations said 4 years ago
From one fellow woodworker to another - well done! :-)
Debra Horton from WeeAngels said 4 years ago
I'm Debra's sister, Cathi. Your work is simple and beautiful. Mother nature made wood in all colors and grains and it doesn't need a lot of embellishment. Your work showcases that beauty with the bonus of functionality. Keep up the good work.
Jannet J... from BIBIGONStudio said 4 years ago
Spectaculaire ideeën. Ik vond het leuk.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
excellent designs!!! Good luck with your shop :)
Mary Q from Careisinhomemade said 4 years ago
Congrats! Great work!