staffan holm: spin stool for swedese

The Hans Olsen Swing Rocking Chair, originally designed in 1956, has been relaunched by Warm Nordic, bringing a piece of timeless 1950s furniture design back into contemporary homes. This rocking chair, initially manufactured by Brdr. Juul Kristensen, embodies a blend of comfort, functionality, and aesthetic appeal, characteristics for which Hans Olsen, a Danish architect, was renowned. The design's enduring relevance is highlighted through its reappearance in the market, demonstrating its ability to seamlessly integrate into diverse home decor styles across different eras. The chair features an airy, hand-woven cane back, which contributes to its visually light and sophisticated appearance. This element, combined with a clean wooden frame, gives the impression of minimal weight, allowing the piece to feel open and unencumbered. The choice of materials and construction reflects a design philosophy that prioritizes both elegance and practicality, making it suitable for various living environments without overpowering the space. The visual lightness of the chair is a key aspect of its appeal, contributing to its timeless quality. Customization options are available to enhance both comfort and aesthetic integration. The upholstery for the headrest and seat cushion can be selected in either leather or sustainable Kvadrat Re-wool fabric. This offers consumers choices that align with their personal preferences for material and environmental consciousness. The frame of the rocking chair is offered in solid oak or teak-oiled oak, providing further options to match existing furniture or to create a desired interior ambiance. These material choices underscore the chair's versatility and its capacity to adapt to evolving design trends while maintaining its classic form. The relaunch of the Swing Rocking Chair by Warm Nordic pays homage to Olsen's design principles, which consistently emphasized a harmonious balance between ergonomic comfort, practical utility, and visual beauty. The chair's design elements collectively form a piece of furniture that is not only functional but also serves as a sculptural object within a room. Its construction speaks to the quality and meticulous attention to detail characteristic of mid-century Danish design, ensuring its longevity and continued appeal. The renewed availability of this classic piece allows a new generation of design enthusiasts to experience and appreciate Hans Olsen's contribution to furniture history. This reintroduction allows modern consumers to acquire a piece of design history that continues to be relevant and admired. The chair's attributes, such as its elegant form, thoughtful material selection, and comfortable seating, make it a distinguished addition to any interior. The collaboration between Olsen's original vision and Warm Nordic's manufacturing ensures that the chair's heritage is preserved while meeting contemporary standards of quality and sustainability. The Swing Rocking Chair's revival confirms its status as a significant and desirable item in the realm of home furnishings. #HansOlsen #SwingRockingChair #WarmNordic #FurnitureDesign #MidCenturyModern #DanishDesign #HomeFurnishings #InteriorDesign #TimelessDesign

Swedish designer Stefan Borselius has expanded his Tondo chair collection for furniture brand Fogia into a comprehensive modular sofa system. Building upon the success of the Tondo chairs introduced last year, which featured simple cushioned seats and backs with optional armrests and head supports, the new sofa system maintains the original design's core principles while offering enhanced versatility. The Tondo sofa system is built around 55-centimetre square modules, allowing for numerous configurations. These modules can function as individual stool seats or be combined to form two- or three-seater sofas. A key feature of the system is its adaptability, with options for integrating tabletops and varying backrest heights to suit different functional and aesthetic requirements. This modularity is designed to make the sofa system suitable for a wide range of environments, from private homes to public and commercial spaces. Borselius's design philosophy for the Tondo sofa system aimed to balance seemingly contradictory qualities: thinness with softness, simplicity with character, lightness with robustness, and classic appeal with a playful touch. This approach ensures the furniture is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional and durable. The construction involves an ash frame upholstered with multiple layers of foam and fabric, available in a variety of colors. The sofa modules are supported by distinct round-footed ash legs, contributing to the overall refined appearance. Specific variations within the system include angled backrests, small and large armrests, and back supports that are tall enough to serve as effective room dividers. These elements allow users to customize their seating arrangements to create intimate high-backed two-seater sofas for residential settings or expansive, low-backed multiple-seat sofas with integrated tables for commercial applications like waiting rooms. Fogia, the Sweden-based furniture manufacturer, describes the Tondo sofa system as an evolution from a single comfortable chair to a complete seating solution for both home and office environments. The brand highlights how the design's stark, exact lines encase generous comfort, and its classic shape balances playfulness with neatness, all while providing a soft aesthetic. The rectangular exterior of the modules suggests an architectural influence, contrasting with the light and soft upholstery which is designed to adapt to the body, offering a sense of sensuous coziness. The Tondo Sofa system made its debut at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. At the same event, Fogia also showcased other new designs, including a minimal furniture range by Andreas Engesvik and a compact lounge chair by Note Design Studio, further underscoring the brand's commitment to contemporary and versatile furniture solutions. The development of the Tondo sofa system reflects a thoughtful expansion of an existing successful design, adapting it to meet broader market needs while maintaining its distinctive characteristics. #StefanBorselius #TondoSofa #FogiaFurniture #ModularDesign #SofaSystem #FurnitureDesign #StockholmFurnitureFair #InteriorDesign #ScandinavianDesign

IKEA has launched one of its largest STOCKHOLM collections to date, celebrating 40 years of the collection. The new collection emphasizes personal touches, natural materials, and a connection to nature, moving beyond an urban aesthetic to embrace Scandinavian materials like high-quality Swedish pine. Designer Nike Karlsson highlighted the focus on sourcing the best materials and applying smart design techniques to showcase the inherent beauty of materials often perceived as budget-friendly. The collection features 96 new pieces, with a focus on handwoven wool and mouth-blown vases, aiming to integrate natural elements into home decor. Among the highlighted items is the STOCKHOLM 2025 Vase, characterized by its modern, elegant, and natural design. Each vase possesses a slightly different, unique look, making it a versatile decorative piece for any room, capable of adding height and shape to a decorative arrangement. For those seeking whimsical and functional lighting, the STOCKHOLM 2025 Table Lamp is available in two distinct styles. One version is a bright yellow, designed to add light and color even when turned off. The other features a cloth adorned with patterns and mushroom-like shapes, aligning with the collection's forest theme, with this pattern recurring on other items like pillows and drapes to facilitate a cohesive design scheme. The STOCKHOLM 2025 Bowl serves as a statement piece, featuring a simple dark-blue glass design that can introduce a pop of color or tie together existing blue tones in a room. Despite its delicate appearance, it is functional for holding various small items, offering a simple yet elegant addition to any space. The STOCKHOLM 2025 Sofa, designed by Ola Wihlborg, stands out with its modern and unique design. Available in white, dark brown, beige, and turquoise, this modular furniture allows for customization, enabling users to combine pieces to fit their specific needs, from a single chair to a four-seat couch. An added benefit is the removable and washable cover, ensuring easy maintenance. The STOCKHOLM 2025 Sideboard offers practical storage with an elegant design, suitable for holding items like shoes or cables. Its versatility allows it to function as an entryway table, a dining room sidepiece, or extra storage behind a living room couch, helping to minimize clutter in a minimalist home setting. The STOCKHOLM 2025 Table and six chairs combination, also designed by Ola Wihlborg, showcases meticulous attention to detail. Crafted from oak, which ages gracefully, and featuring comfortable leather seating with a beautifully curved back, this dining set is designed for comfort and durability, making it an elegant and simple addition to various home aesthetics. Finally, the STOCKHOLM 2025 Rug, available in various flatwoven designs, features stunning colors and patterns inspired by the changing seasons in Switzerland. These rugs are intended to anchor a room and are offered in diverse options to complement different interior styles, providing an opportunity to incorporate unique patterns and colors inspired by nature into home decor. #IKEASTOCKHOLM #HomeDecor #FurnitureDesign #NaturalMaterials #InteriorDesignTrends #ScandinavianDesign #HomeFurnishings #DecorInspiration #ProductReview

Ælfred, a new emporium for vintage Scandinavian design, has opened in Hackney Wick, East London, offering a wide array of democratically priced furniture, lighting, ceramics, and glassware. The 300 sq m space is the brainchild of Danish dealer Nina Hertig, who previously co-founded Sigmar, a high-end gallery on Kings’ Road specializing in pedigree Scandinavian pieces. In contrast to Sigmar's exclusive clientele and premium pricing, Ælfred aims to make Scandinavian design accessible to a broader audience, with prices ranging from £15 to £2,500. The concept behind Ælfred is to create a fun and accessible shopping experience that encourages people to reconnect with physical objects. The store features rows of 'PH' pendant lights, ceramics from Royal Copenhagen, lamps by Louis Poulsen, glassware, and vintage silver cutlery. The curated collection includes classic designs from Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, and Finnish designers, such as Børge Mogensen, Haslev, and Alvar Aalto’s Artek. Hertig emphasizes that the accessibility of Ælfred is achieved through scaling the business and maintaining a high turnover of stock. Containers of carefully selected vintage items arrive regularly from Denmark, with new shipments expected every two weeks. This business model allows for competitive pricing and a constantly evolving inventory. A key aspect of Ælfred's offering is the ability to mix and match items, particularly for glassware, silver cutlery, and crockery, allowing customers to purchase individual pieces rather than complete sets. Hertig highlights the enduring quality of these vintage items, noting that they were so well-made they have lasted for decades and still have plenty of life left in them, promoting sustainable consumption by giving new life to pre-owned goods. The name Ælfred is a playful nod to Alfred the Great, who famously defended Wessex against the Vikings. However, this Ælfred is designed to be welcoming to all things Scandinavian, embracing the design heritage it celebrates. The emporium is strategically located next to a new restaurant by Moro, designed by Hertig’s friends Nina Tolstrup and Jack Mama of Studiomama. This adjacency aims to create a destination for weekend visitors, inviting them to enjoy lunch and discover unique treasures in a physical setting, celebrating the traditional joy of in-person shopping and discovery. The venture represents a shift towards a more inclusive approach to vintage design, moving away from exclusive gallery models to a more community-oriented retail experience in East London. #ScandinavianDesign #VintageFurniture #EastLondon #InteriorDesign #Furniture #HomeDecor #SustainableShopping #DanishDesign #HackneyWick

Nordic Nest, an e-tailer established in 2002, has cultivated a distinctive niche in the Scandinavian interior design market by prioritizing storytelling and brand building. Unlike typical online retailers, Nordic Nest offers a curated experience that allows customers to explore and engage with Scandinavian design at their own pace. The platform serves as a primary destination for enthusiasts of Scandinavian interior design, emphasizing functional simplicity and timeless beauty, and is expanding its efforts to enhance the global visibility of Scandinavian design. The company's extensive catalog features over 60,000 Scandinavian design products from more than 300 brands. The selection is meticulously curated, highlighting craftsmanship and artistic expression. Nordic Nest supports a diverse range of creators, from emerging talents to established designers, providing year-round assistance through marketing collaborations, exclusive product launches, and international outreach. This commitment extends beyond transactional relationships, focusing on showcasing each studio's unique craftsmanship and innovative techniques through various channels, including digital campaigns, curated showcases, and events, thereby popularizing Scandinavian design globally. During the 2025 Stockholm Design Week, Nordic Nest hosted an intimate dinner at Stockholm’s Nationalmuseum, bringing together leading Scandinavian design brands such as Fritz Hansen, Iittala, Louis Poulsen, Gärsnäs, and Audo Copenhagen. This event celebrated both the enduring traditions and contemporary innovations within Scandinavian design, underscoring the company’s dedication to providing brands with a platform for increased visibility and recognition beyond the Nordic region. Among the highlights of the event was the unveiling of Iittala’s Solare collection, a new tableware line inspired by light. This collection, which includes glassware, textiles, and home accessories, captures the interplay of brightness and form, continuing Iittala’s legacy of avant-garde design and colored glass since its founding in 1881. Danish brand Audo also introduced the Pavot Collection, a collaboration with designer Colin King. This collection, featuring artfully crafted vessels like the Pavot Centerpiece, Bowl, and Vase, draws inspiration from the organic shape of a poppy seed head, blending ancient influences with modern craftsmanship. Each piece is cast in aluminum and finished with a brown bronzed patina, embodying a timeless yet contemporary aesthetic. Through these initiatives, Nordic Nest reinforces the notion that Scandinavian design is rooted in careful attention to detail and a profound sense of connection. #ScandinavianDesign #InteriorDesign #NordicNest #ECommerce #DesignRetail #BrandBuilding #DesignEvents #FurnitureDesign #HomeDecor

Stockholm Design Week 2019, anchored by the Stockholm Furniture Fair (February 5-9), presented an array of exhibitions and installations that skillfully blended Swedish heritage, a commitment to sustainability, and the charm of village life with contemporary design. The event, held amid a snowy Stockholm, showcased numerous designers and studios, each contributing to a rich tapestry of Nordic aesthetics and innovative practices. Among the highlights was French designer Pauline Deltour's 'Rope Rug' for Hem. Deltour's meticulous process involved exploring 25 braiding techniques to create three distinct rug designs available in four modern tones: terracotta, seaweed, salt & pepper, and night blue. Produced in collaboration with Indian manufacturers, these rugs emphasize traditional craftsmanship and intricate dyeing, resulting in a rustic yet contemporary appeal. Note Design Studio, based in Stockholm, created the 'Snowtopped' installation for Tarkett, demonstrating the versatility of Tarkett’s sustainable vinyl flooring. This installation reimagined the Nordic landscape with layers of snowdrifts and dunes, showcasing the material's limitless possibilities beyond its functional use. The aim was to highlight the material's flexibility and adaptability in an unexpected way. Copenhagen-based Frama and Andreas Martin-Löf Arkitekter collaborated on 'Spatial Sensibilities.' This exhibition, located in a newly renovated architectural office overlooking the Riddarfjarden waterway, presented Frama’s minimalist designs and muted tones within a naturally lit modernist building. The setting offered a tranquil contrast to the bustling design week activities. Neri + Hu, the Chinese design duo, served as the guest of honor at the Stockholm Furniture Fair. Their site-specific installation, 'The Unfolding Village,' addressed the global issue of disappearing village cultures. Inspired by the alleyways and street life of clan-based villages, the structure, constructed from local timber, unfolded to reveal furniture designed by Neri + Hu, emphasizing the preservation of community and tradition. Färg & Blanche presented 'The Baker’s House' in an 1800s Swedish townhouse, which was the former home of co-founder Emma Marga Blanche’s great-great-grandfather. This personal exhibition featured new designs that referenced the Blanche family's historical Crispbread factory. The display included contributions from brands such as Petite Friture and Gärsnäs, merging personal history with modern design. Sight Unseen collaborated with Swedish brand Kasthall to showcase the capabilities of its new Rug Designer tool. The vibrant and graphic rug designs highlighted the bespoke potential of the digital service, allowing both designers and non-designers to experiment and create unique pieces. The inspiration for the designs subtly drew from the trompe l’oeil geometric patterns often seen on Milanese building facades. British architect David Chipperfield's product designs were featured in an exhibition displaying his work for brands like Alessi and e15. The exhibition also introduced new iterations of his ‘w102’ lamp for Wästberg, originally launched in brass, now available in a black steel finish and various configurations, including wall and floor mounts. The collaboration 'Sie Wohnen Hier' by Bukowskis x Magniberg brought together contemporary art and design from the auction house Bukowskis with textiles from Magniberg. The abstract showcase featured artful compositions, pairing oriental porcelain and cubist furniture with layered prints and textured surfaces, aiming to inspire design-led curiosity. Snøhetta's ‘s-1500’ chair for NCP reimagined Bendt Winge’s classic ‘R-48’ chair using recycled plastic waste from fish farming, including nets, ropes, and pipes. This exhibition at the fair highlighted the material and craft heritage of northern Norway and underscored Snøhetta's commitment to sustainability, encouraging other companies to rethink material repurposing. Claesson Koivisto Rune opened the Portal Bar in St. Eriksplan during Stockholm Design Week. This new space, owned by chef Klas Lindberg, hosted numerous events and featured interiors with murals by Jesper Waldensten, custom lighting by Wästberg, and furniture by Swedese, quickly becoming a central hub for social gatherings. Finally, Baux introduced 'Acoustic Pulp,' revolutionary acoustic tiles made from Swedish fir and pine trees, water, wheat bran, potato starch, plant wax, and fruit peels. This biodegradable, recyclable, lightweight, durable, and sound-absorbing material, originally developed for the coffin industry, showcases a true dedication to nature, with geometric patterns organically derived from the wheat content. These diverse presentations collectively underscored Stockholm Design Week's focus on innovation, heritage, and environmental responsibility. #StockholmDesignWeek #SwedishHeritage #SustainableDesign #NordicDesign #InteriorDesign #FurnitureFair #Craftsmanship #MaterialInnovation #ArchitecturalDesign

The enduring tradition of Swedish rag rugs, a craft with over 150 years of history, is undergoing a modern revival through the innovative work of Stockholm-based designer Lars Hofsjö. These rugs, traditionally woven by generations of women from discarded textiles like worn-out clothes, curtains, and sheets, are renowned for their durability and distinctive patterns, embodying a legacy of material reuse and resourcefulness. Hofsjö, known for establishing the Swedish furniture brand Rumbler, has taken this heritage and translated it into a contemporary furniture collection. Hofsjö’s design process involves carefully selecting vintage rag rugs from various sources, including markets, antique shops, and rural areas. His criteria for selection focus on the rugs' thinness, tightness of weave, and color scheme, ensuring they are suitable for their new application. These chosen textiles are then meticulously wrapped around custom-fabricated aluminum forms, resulting in a series of plush side tables. This method seamlessly integrates the rustic aesthetic and tactile qualities of the traditional rag rugs with sleek, modern design elements, creating pieces that resonate with both historical charm and contemporary appeal. The collection features two distinct series: 'Torp' and 'Dunker'. The 'Torp' series comprises rectangular side tables, produced as a limited and numbered edition. Each piece in this series is unique, reflecting variations in the original rug's quality, color palette, and inherent characteristics. In contrast, the 'Dunker' collection presents hexagonal units, which are enhanced with a variety of complementary materials such as leather, stone, and wood. These additional materials are chosen to harmonize with and accentuate the texture and appearance of the rag rugs, adding another layer of sophistication and material contrast. This thoughtful integration of diverse materials highlights the multifaceted nature of Swedish design, where traditional craftsmanship and modern innovation coexist. Through this transformative design approach, Hofsjö champions sustainable practices by repurposing historical textiles. This initiative not only safeguards a significant aspect of Swedish cultural heritage but also endows these traditional rag rugs with renewed relevance in contemporary interior design. The resulting furniture pieces serve as a testament to the lasting beauty of Swedish crafts, effectively bridging the divide between time-honored artisanal methods and the demands of modern living environments. Hofsjö’s work exemplifies how design can simultaneously preserve tradition and act as a catalyst for innovation. It underscores the potential of traditional crafts to inspire novel design solutions, emphasizing the critical role of sustainability within the design discipline. By reinterpreting these textiles, Hofsjö pays homage to the countless anonymous weavers who sustained this craft and offers a forward-looking perspective for future designers on exploration and reinvention. #SwedishRug #FurnitureDesign #LarsHofsjö #SustainableDesign #TextileRepurposing #UpcycledFurniture #InteriorDesign #Craftsmanship #ModernHeritage

Swedish design studio Form Us With Love has unveiled its Nest collection, a range of elevated club-style armchairs and accompanying tables designed for Danish brand +Halle. The collection, presented at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2016, seeks to merge the comfort of upholstered seating with the elevated perspective of high-seated stools. Inspired by objects like tennis umpires' chairs and other types of pedestals, the Nest collection aims to provide a unique seating experience. The design concept evolved from an analysis of public spaces, where the studio observed the common separation of upholstered furniture and bar-stool seating. Form Us With Love's creative director, John Löfgren, articulated the intent to combine these characteristics, resulting in a "tall vertical Nest." This innovative approach allows the furniture to serve not only as comfortable seating but also as practical space dividers in larger environments. The core of the collection features armchairs with padded seats and backs that wrap around to form armrests, offering a snug and inviting feel. These chairs are available in both elevated versions, perched on slender metal frames, and shorter iterations that retain the same comfortable body but with truncated legs. This dual offering caters to various functional and aesthetic preferences, making the collection versatile for different settings. Complementing the seating are tables with rounded lacquered tops, specifically sized to accommodate both the elevated and standard height chairs. The taller tables are thoughtfully designed with loop-shaped bars connecting their four legs, serving a dual purpose as structural support and a convenient footrest. This detail ensures ergonomic comfort for users seated at the elevated chairs, aligning the tables and chairs into a cohesive and functional set. Jonas Pettersson, CEO of Form Us With Love, emphasized the added value of comfortable high seating, highlighting its potential to encourage longer periods of engagement at tall tables. This perspective underscores the collection's consideration for user experience and its aim to enhance social interaction and comfort in communal spaces. Beyond the Nest collection, Form Us With Love also introduced other innovative products at the Stockholm Furniture Fair 2016. These included wood-effect acoustic panels, expanding their Baux architectural products line, and contributing to the broader trend of noise-reducing Scandinavian design. The event also marked a significant milestone for the studio, with a retrospective exhibition celebrating its 10th anniversary, showcasing a decade of design innovation. In essence, the Nest collection by Form Us With Love represents a thoughtful synthesis of form and function, addressing contemporary needs for versatile, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing furniture in public and private spaces. By combining the familiarity of club chairs with the practicality of elevated seating, the studio offers a solution that is both innovative and adaptable. #FormUsWithLove #NestCollection #Halle #StockholmFurnitureFair #FurnitureDesign #Seating #Tables #InteriorDesign #ScandinavianDesign

Stockholm Creative Edition, an independent design week established by Ulrika Kjellstöm Attar and Philippe Attar, showcases contemporary Swedish design from emerging and established artists and companies. This event, running through 29 September, contributes to Europe's dynamic design landscape, following Milan Design Week and 3 Days Of Design in Copenhagen. A central theme of the Stockholm Creative Edition is the innovative application of traditional Scandinavian materials: wood, glass, and metal. The various exhibitions, presentations, and workshops highlight both functional and futuristic interpretations of these classic elements. Monica Förster played a significant role in launching Subjective, a new brand founded by Ruben Schildt and Sebastian Schildt of Oxenstiernan restaurant. Initially, this collection, which includes plates, glasses, and tablecloths, was created for the Östermalm eatery. However, due to its success, it has now entered production. The items are crafted by local artisans with an emphasis on traditional methods and sustainability. Förster's notable contribution is the Babushka, a versatile glass container available in three sizes. Its lid is designed to function as a magnifying lens, enhancing the visual appeal of its contents, whether they are food items or decorative flowers. Glass is also prominently featured in the architectural design of Liljevalchs+, the recently completed extension of a beloved Stockholm museum. Architect Gert Wingårdh collaborated with potter and designer Ingegerd Råman to create the building's façade, which consists of a concrete wall embedded with 6,860 glass cups. This innovative solution ensures an ample flow of natural light into the interior. An exhibition at Liljevalchs+, running until 17 October, celebrates Råman's work, presenting a collection of unique glass vases that are the result of extensive experimentation with this material. In the realm of wood, Massproductions presents the Hercule, a coat-hanger made from oat or walnut. This piece, described as both playful and practical, is part of the exhibition 'Who Are You Hercule?' where the studio Specific Generic has reimagined it as an illustrated character. Designer Chris Martin noted that the product's shape often reminded people of an animal's nose or a human face, inspiring an installation that uses projections to animate illustrations by Patrik Mollwing. Asplund, a company known for promoting young Scandinavian designers since 1990, also features wood in its collection. Their Moci dining table showcases legs that gracefully connect with the tabletop, forming elegant curves and blending Swedish and Japanese design aesthetics. Creative director Sandra Adrian Asplund explains that the design was inspired by a coffee table created by Moa Sjöberg, which was seen at the Malmstens Linköping University graduate show. Metal is highlighted through Margarita Matiz Bergfeldt's Twilight, a wall-mounted candle-holder produced by Klong. Inspired by multigraph photography, which uses mirrors to multiply subjects, Bergfeldt aimed to achieve a similar effect with candlelight. The Twilight features metal surfaces in two finishes that amplify light, illuminating even the darkest areas of a home. This piece also serves as a vase. Metal is also a key component in office furniture, a sector where Swedish designers excel. Lammhults utilizes metal in its Corso Easy chair, a straightforward design based on a tubular metal structure and a leather or canvas seat, referencing Peter Andersson’s work. While designed for office environments, its rounded form allows it to be used in various settings. The chair is designed for disassembly and uses minimal materials, contributing to a lower environmental impact. #StockholmCreativeEdition #SwedishDesign #GlassDesign #WoodFurniture #MetalDesign #InteriorDesign #ProductDesign #SustainableDesign #NordicCreativity

The Swedish brand Essem, known for its functional and durable design since the 1930s, is making its United States debut with the new Classic Collection by Kauppi & Kauppi. This collection offers a modern interpretation of the brand's iconic 1959 Classic Hat Rack, originally designed by Gunnar Bolin. The Classic Hat Rack, celebrated for its timeless form, simple aesthetic, and construction from bent metal tubes and a flat net, serves as the cornerstone for the expanded range. Kauppi & Kauppi's approach was to respect the original design's elegance and functional simplicity while introducing new, independent designs that utilize some of the Classic materials and dimensions, alongside new elements that point in a fresh direction. The collection is specifically designed to organize and enhance the entryway, a crucial space that sets the tone for a home and serves as a point of greeting and departure. The new Classic Collection consists of various pieces, each balancing practicality with a playful design. These include a freestanding coat stand characterized by an airy, bow-like top, and a hallway mirror that integrates storage hooks for items like keys or hats. Additional components feature a slim peg rail, a hook loop that pays homage to the 1950s hat rack, and wall-mounted knobs available in two sizes. These elements are designed to effectively manage clutter and contribute a graphic simplicity to wall spaces. A core principle of Essem’s design philosophy, carried through to this collection, is durability and sustainability, with each piece constructed for longevity and featuring replaceable parts. The entire collection is finished in Essem’s signature “Sun Yellow,” transforming these functional objects into vibrant focal points that can brighten any utilitarian area. Essem's expansion into the American market with the Classic Collection represents a significant milestone for the brand. It extends an invitation to integrate Swedish design principles of functionality, enduring style, and sustainability into American residences. The collection reflects Essem’s long-standing commitment to these values, which have guided the company since its inception in the 1930s, reinforcing the idea of timeless design. The collaboration with Kauppi & Kauppi ensures that the new collection not only honors Essem's rich heritage but also introduces contemporary relevance, making functional entryway solutions both aesthetically pleasing and robust. The new Classic Collection offers a cohesive and stylish way to organize entryways while embodying a cheerful and modern design sensibility. #SwedishDesign #EntrywayFurniture #HomeFurnishings #KauppiAndKauppi #Essem #ClassicCollection #ModernDesign #FunctionalDesign #InteriorDesign

Stockholm-based designer Monica Förster has collaborated with the Bosnian company Zanat to create a new collection of wooden furniture and accessories. This collection integrates Bosnian hand-carving traditions with Scandinavian design principles, a fusion described by Förster as a multidisciplinary approach. The range, which includes a dining chair, a modular shelving and cabinet system, and a series of decorative bowls, was unveiled at Stockholm Design Week 2015 as part of the “Sarajevo Sessions: Scandinavian Designers Discover Bosnian Handicraft” exhibition, held at Stockholms Auktionsverk. The core of this collection lies in Zanat’s unique hand-carving technique, which involves using a specialized set of knives and chisels to create intricate patterns on wood. This traditional craft is currently being considered for inclusion in the 2015 UNESCO World Intangible Cultural Heritage List, highlighting its cultural significance and the urgent need for its preservation. Förster's designs deliberately feature visible indentations and patterns, serving to showcase and celebrate this artisanal method. The materials used for the furniture pieces are diverse, encompassing oak, maple, ash, cherry, walnut, and elm, emphasizing the natural beauty and versatility of wood. The design philosophy behind the collection aimed to imbue solid wood pieces with a sense of lightness. This was achieved through the incorporation of thin edges and slender structures, contributing to a modern aesthetic while respecting the traditional craftsmanship. The carved motifs found throughout the collection are inspired by the fluid movement of water, a theme that also influenced the naming of the furniture items after Bosnian rivers. This thematic consistency adds a poetic layer to the functional objects. One of the notable pieces, the Unna dining chair, features optional scallop-shaped carvings on its backrest. It is available in natural or stained finishes and can be complemented with a moulded leather cushion, offering customization options. The Tara storage system, another key component, is designed to be highly versatile. It consists of freestanding shelves and cabinets of varying heights that can be used individually or combined to form larger storage solutions. This modular system can function against a wall or as a room divider, and each cabinet can be personalized with abstract hand-carved patterns, further emphasizing Zanat’s signature craft. The circular bowls within the collection are distinguished by their rounded stands, which feature repeating, improvised patterns created by Zanat’s skilled wood carvers. These bowls are available in different heights and widths, making them adaptable for various decorative or functional purposes. The entire project underscores a commitment to preserving and revitalizing traditional handicraft by integrating it into contemporary design, thereby giving it new relevance and visibility on a global stage while honoring its heritage. #MonicaFörster #Zanat #StockholmDesignWeek #FurnitureDesign #WoodCarving #ScandinavianDesign #BosnianHandicraft #Craftsmanship #InteriorDesign

The 2015 Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair showcased a vibrant array of established brands and emerging talents, with a refreshed layout that enhanced the exhibitor experience. Guest of honor Ilse Crawford, founder of Studioilse, reimagined her South London studio within the fair's central meeting area, providing a space for visitors to explore the profound impact of design on daily life. Coinciding with the fair, Crawford unveiled her inaugural collaboration with IKEA, introducing an accessible collection of furniture, lighting, and smaller items, including cork tables, hanging lights, accessories, and a day bed. This collection was presented in the charming setting of Ett Hem, a historic Stockholm house that Studioilse had previously redesigned into a boutique hotel in 2012. Several promising designers from previous years demonstrated their evolution into established brands. Baux, for instance, made its debut in the main hall, introducing a new wall system developed in partnership with Stockholm-based Form Us With Love. A notable newcomer was Taiwanese brand NAKNAK, a Taichung-based manufacturer with extensive experience in producing metal components for other brands. NAKNAK launched its first in-house collection, collaborating with international designers like Kyuhyung Cho from Stockholm. Their powder-coated metal wire house numbers, designed by Cho and Erik Olovsson, garnered significant attention for their innovative design. The fair's annual Greenhouse exhibition, a platform dedicated to fostering emerging talent, was curated by Note Design Studio. Their mirrored pavilion ingeniously highlighted the work of several up-and-coming designers. Among these, Danish designers Pettersen & Hein captivated with their structurally dynamic light objects, while Glen Baghurst showcased his colored concrete tiles and a versatile movable chair. Adding to the fair's dynamic, established Swedish architects and Wallpaper* Design Award winners, Claesson Koivisto Rune, ventured into production with their new homeware company, 'Smaller Objects.' This new venture focuses on everyday design, offering a collection of household items ranging from cooling stone coasters to innovative herb pots. In parallel, the architects launched a bright light collection with Wästberg and a structural modular sofa and side table with Offecct. Danish design stalwarts and fellow Wallpaper* Design Award winners Carl Hansen & Søn introduced a double-sided tray table with collapsible legs and a removable tray, available in light oak and smoked oak veneers, which quickly became a customer favorite. On a larger, architectural scale, Spanish powerhouse Cosentino, known for its ultra-compact slab material Dekton, collaborated with Munich-based designer Steffen Kehrle. Kehrle crafted a small structure entirely from Dekton, creating an informal gathering space called 'House of Dekton,' which offered a serene escape from the bustling fairground. The fair also featured other notable pieces like the 'Ghost Chair' by Ingrid and Olle Wingård for Minus tio, the 'Tuann' red shelf by Shuang Liang, and new copper 'PH 3.5-2.5' table lights from Louis Poulsen, all contributing to the diverse and innovative displays at the 2015 Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair. #StockholmFurnitureFair #DesignExhibition #FurnitureDesign #LightingDesign #EmergingTalent #NordicDesign #InteriorDesign #Homeware #ProductInnovation

Danish design brand Herman Cph has unveiled its inaugural product collection, featuring a series of side tables and a dining table, alongside a range of fabric products. Founded by designers Jonas Herman Pedersen and Helle Herman Mortensen, the brand emphasizes simplicity, honesty, and quality in its designs, maintaining complete control from conception to production. This approach reflects a belief that people connect best with products stemming from good and honest intentions, and that quality materials develop character and beauty over time. The centerpiece of the collection is the Frisbee table series. The side tables, available in three different heights, are characterized by their round oak surfaces, which can be oiled or black stained, and slender, powder-coated steel legs. The design of the legs is specifically conceived to maximize under-table space. These side tables are designed for consumer convenience, arriving flat-packed and requiring only a single screw for assembly, which joins the metal legs together. Complementing the side tables is a dining table from the same Frisbee collection, which comfortably seats three to six people. This larger table also features steel legs, but with a square section, incorporating wooden feet that slot into their ends, showcasing a consistent design language across the table range. Beyond tables, Herman Cph's debut also includes a selection of fabric products. This range features limited-edition cushions and bedspreads, crafted from recycled wool fabrics, highlighting the brand's commitment to material quality and potentially sustainability. Additionally, a wall-mounted storage pocket with leather detailing is part of the initial offering, demonstrating the brand's exploration of various home furnishings. The design process for these pieces takes place at Pedersen and Mortensen's studio in Fredriksberg, Denmark. For manufacturing, Herman Cph collaborates with local Danish companies, ensuring that the production aligns with their standards and supports local craftsmanship. This integrated approach, from design to local manufacturing, underscores the brand's dedication to its founding principles of creating high-quality, thoughtfully designed furniture and home accessories. #DanishDesign #FurnitureDesign #OakTables #SteelLegs #HermanCph #FlatPackFurniture #HomeDecor #SustainableMaterials #ProductLaunch

The article highlights seven influential Scandinavian interior designers who offer fresh and modern interpretations of the classic Scandi style. This design aesthetic, rooted in minimalism, natural simplicity, and functionality, has given rise to numerous renowned brands like Muuto, Gubi, and IKEA. The featured designers, while embodying the core principles of Scandinavian design, bring their unique perspectives, ranging from bold and colorful to rich and luxurious. Bjarte Sandal, founder of Smau Arkitektur, represents a sustainable approach, emphasizing warm tones, clean lines, and natural materials. His studio draws inspiration from mid-century architectural teachings, prioritizing form following function, and integrating contemporary construction with sustainable practices. Sandal's work aims for timeless quality, creating spaces that are both grounded and forward-looking, respecting the quiet strength of Scandinavian heritage through simple forms and thoughtful detailing. Gustaf Westman challenges the notion that Scandi interiors must be neutral, introducing a bold, playful, and contemporary interpretation. His eponymous furniture line is characterized by chunky, curvaceous shapes, pastel tones, and high-gloss finishes, offering a whimsical and expressive style that adds character and a touch of surrealism to any home. Pernille Lind, though London-based, integrates her Danish-Thai heritage into her designs, creating warm, minimalist, and contemporary spaces. Her studio is known for refined elegance that balances coziness and luxury, utilizing clean lines, neutral color palettes, and sophisticated natural textures like wood, drawing influence from 1930s and 1950s styles while crafting unique narratives for each project. David Thulstrup, a Danish architect, grounds his style in materiality, blending Scandinavian heritage with contemporary elements to achieve rich, minimalist environments. His approach exemplifies 'quiet luxury' within a Scandi context, as seen in his transformation of a historic Copenhagen warehouse, where he respected original features while making contemporary statements with a limited palette of natural materials. Beata Heuman, a Swedish-born designer based in London, champions a style inspired by Swedish folk design. Her work features pattern-rich rooms that are warm, inviting, and characterful, offering a modern sensibility to traditional aesthetics. Her designs are seen as a 'nouveau Scandi' approach, brimming with charm. Norm Architects, a Copenhagen-based studio comprising multiple designers and architects, adheres to a strict minimalist and neutral Scandi style. Their work embodies the maxim 'form follows function' and a humanist design approach, prioritizing the user's needs. They describe their style as 'Soft Minimalism,' focusing on refining spaces to their purest forms while maintaining a soft, warm, and textural design language. Lotta Agaton, a Stockholm-based interior designer, builds her studio on classic Scandi design principles. Her aesthetic is sophisticated and sumptuous, incorporating natural materials like wood and stone, contrasted with contemporary art, sculptures, and lighting. Her use of dark, earthy tones creates rich, cocoon-like spaces, appealing to those who appreciate a chic and warm Scandinavian ambiance. The article concludes by encouraging readers to incorporate these inspirations into their own homes, noting that achieving a Scandinavian feel does not require a complete overhaul. #ScandinavianDesign #InteriorDesigners #ScandiStyle #HomeDecor #MinimalistInteriors #SustainableDesign #ContemporaryDesign #LuxuryInteriors #DesignInspiration

Ikea's interior design leader for the UK and Ireland, Clotilde Passalacqua, identifies the STOCKHOLM range as the most timeless and enduring collection offered by the Swedish furniture giant. Having styled thousands of rooms over her 16-year career with Ikea, Passalacqua consistently relies on the STOCKHOLM range due to its elegant, timeless aesthetic and durability, asserting that any piece purchased from this collection will effectively last a lifetime. She highlights the range's ability to seamlessly integrate into various home environments, citing her personal experience with a STOCKHOLM armchair that has adapted to multiple moves. The STOCKHOLM range, including the curated STOCKHOLM 2017 collection, is characterized by its use of natural and tactile materials such as rattan, hand-blown glass, and ash, embodying Scandinavian modernity. This design philosophy intentionally contrasts with a fast-paced world, emphasizing quality and the values associated with a more deliberate lifestyle. The collection spans a variety of home furnishings, including rugs, cushions, pouffes, sofas, and coffee tables. Passalacqua particularly recommends the rattan and Sandbacka dark grey STOCKHOLM armchair, praising its comfort provided by long-lasting pocket springs and its suitability for warm spring and summer evenings. Beyond specific furniture recommendations, Passalacqua offers broader decorating advice. She notes that pastel pink is a current trend and announces the upcoming introduction of Ramie, a hard-wearing and sustainable natural material, into Ikea's textile offerings. She stresses the transformative power of textiles in adding personality, color, and patterns to a room without requiring significant structural changes. Simple additions like new cushion covers or a fresh rug can update a space affordably. Furthermore, textiles serve functional purposes, such as curtains providing privacy and insulation, and cushions enhancing sofa comfort. The article also touches upon Ikea's recent and upcoming collaborations, signaling an exciting period for the retailer. These collaborations include partnerships with prominent brands like Adidas, Lego, and Solange Knowles' company Saint Heron. Additionally, Ikea provided a sneak peek at collections developed with Sonos and Virgil Abloh during its recent Democratic Design Day, showcasing its ongoing commitment to innovation and design partnerships. #Ikea #InteriorDesign #TimelessFurniture #STOCKHOLMRange #HomeDecor #ScandinavianDesign #SustainableMaterials #TextileDecor #ClotildePassalacqua